Metzada is an elite unit of the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) that was formed by the Israeli Army General Staff to be one of five elite units in the Israeli security and military institution.
Metzada unit was established in 2003 by the IPS Commissioner at that time Yaakov Ganot and was linked to the operations department of the IPS and the Israeli police according to a report by the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
The Hebrew newspaper said that the unit was formed in response to the increased attacks by prisoners against the IPS guards.
The paper mentioned that the head of the operations department in the Israeli Army General Staff assigned Metzada Unit to lead the control units of the General Staff within the framework of a long-term secret project to rehabilitate these units and consult on the non-lethal weapons in which Metzada is specialized.
Metzada was recognized as a subordinate unit to the Israeli Army General Staff in 2006 after a study conducted by the so-called Counter-Terrorism School and other circles subordinate to the General Staff.
Metzada was assigned the responsibility of the military prisons especially in the field of hostage rescue.
It is divided into two sub-units and a military council and includes members responsible for leading in-depth negotiations and assisting the Israeli police in solving violence cases through non-violent methods.
The Metzada members have launched many operations inside Israeli jails and assisted the Israeli police in arresting “wanted persons” and the Israeli Navy during the Gaza flotilla raid.
Just like the case in other elite units Metzada uses dogs in its operations to control disturbances in prison cells or in the presence of threats with white weapons. The dogs are provided with electroshock weapons which the Metzada soldier can use remotely against the prisoners.
The unit is equipped with a special wing of soldiers who carry out complex operations including jumping from high altitudes and sneaking into rooms through roofs windows and narrow bars.
