The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/unit-669/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:10:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Unit 669 | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/unit-669/ 32 32 After US rescues airmen in Iran, commando opens up about IDF’s own daring extractions https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-us-rescues-airmen-in-iran-commando-opens-up-about-idfs-own-daring-extractions/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:40:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3800106 Reservist combat medic in vaunted chopper rescue unit 669, who chronicled his service in two books, describes rapid-response missions, battlefield chaos and mental toll behind life-saving operations

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]]> IAF chopper crash probe finds bad visibility conditions led to deadly accident https://www.timesofisrael.com/iaf-chopper-crash-probe-finds-bad-visibility-conditions-led-to-deadly-accident/ Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:09:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3379692 'Complex' helipad in south Gaza combat zone, paired with darkness and heavy dust, led crew to lose 'spatial orientation'; 2 soldiers were killed, seven wounded in Sep. 11 incident

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]]> IDF sees surge in female conscripts seeking combat roles since start of war with Hamas https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-sees-surge-in-female-conscripts-seeking-combat-roles-since-start-of-war-with-hamas/ Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:03:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3172124 Massive rise in women asking to join border defense, artillery, border police, search and rescue and other units; in first, two women pass selection for elite 669 rescue unit

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]]> Foreign national found dead in minefield near Dead Sea, 5 other people rescued https://www.timesofisrael.com/foreign-national-found-dead-in-minefield-near-dead-sea-5-other-people-rescued/ Sun, 27 Aug 2023 10:35:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3081416 Man dies from apparent heatstroke while traversing closed military zone in seeming effort to enter Israel illegally from Jordan

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]]> ‘Suddenly rocks fell on us’: 8-year-old boy killed, 8 hurt in rockslide near Dead Sea https://www.timesofisrael.com/five-year-old-boy-killed-eight-hurt-in-rockslide-near-the-dead-sea/ Thu, 24 Aug 2023 07:50:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3079363 Two girls and two adults in moderate condition after earthfall; IAF's Unit 669 dispatched to scene at Nahal David stream at Ein Gedi; police temporarily close off roads in area

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]]> High Court orders IDF to explain why not all elite units are open to female soldiers https://www.timesofisrael.com/high-court-orders-idf-to-explain-why-not-all-elite-units-are-open-to-female-soldiers/ Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:19:31 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3042316&preview=true&preview_id=3042316 Justices give defense establishment until September to respond to questions about limits on women in combat roles, despite ongoing pilot programs

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]]> IDF rescuers pull 2 Palestinians from collapsed settlement construction site https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-rescuers-pull-2-palestinians-from-collapsed-settlement-construction-site/ Wed, 31 May 2023 20:20:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3025332 Workers evacuated to Jerusalem hospital in serious and moderate condition after two-hour operation

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]]> 60-year-old killed in fall while hiking in Golan Heights https://www.timesofisrael.com/60-year-old-killed-in-fall-while-hiking-in-golan-heights/ Fri, 05 May 2023 18:52:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3009338 Complex rescue operation takes five hours and includes deployment of rope system; victim pronounced dead on scene

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]]> IDF begins to draft female recruits to elite units previously closed off to women https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-begins-to-draft-female-recruits-to-elite-units-previously-closed-off-to-women/ Sat, 29 Oct 2022 18:23:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2862260&preview=true&preview_id=2862260 Starting in November, women can for the first time try out for vaunted helicopter search and rescue unit as well as combat engineering

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]]> Elite Israeli Air Force unit rescues American who had heart attack on cruise ship https://www.timesofisrael.com/elite-israeli-air-force-unit-rescues-american-who-had-heart-attack-on-cruise-ship/ Thu, 13 Oct 2022 12:49:18 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2851945 Evacuation made following requests by American officials; woman brought to Haifa hospital

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]]> Elderly man drowns in Jordan River; woman rescued after falling into Banias Stream https://www.timesofisrael.com/elderly-man-drowns-in-jordan-river-woman-rescued-after-falling-into-banias-stream/ Sat, 18 Jun 2022 13:11:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2783048 Three others hurt on Haifa, Ashkelon and Tel Aviv beaches, latest in series of water-related accidents; on Friday, a 15-year-old died in hospital after drowning in the Jordan River

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]]> Deputy minister knocks plan to let more women into combat units https://www.timesofisrael.com/senior-government-official-knocks-plan-to-let-more-women-into-combat-units/ Wed, 08 Jun 2022 10:01:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2777078&preview=true&preview_id=2777078 Matan Kahana, a reserve fighter pilot, says he fears IDF will lower standards to bring female recruits into elite helicopter-borne search-and-rescue outfit

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]]> IDF expands combat roles for women, but says most are not cut out for elite units https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-expands-combat-roles-for-women-but-says-most-not-cut-out-for-elite-units/ Tue, 07 Jun 2022 15:01:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2776568 Military to allow female recruits to try out for vaunted helicopter search and rescue and combat engineering units, accepting recommendations of panel after petition by recruits

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]]> Rabbis urge IDF chief to stop women’s integration into combat units https://www.timesofisrael.com/rabbis-urge-idf-chief-to-stop-womens-integration-into-combat-units/ Thu, 02 Jun 2022 20:31:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2774561&preview=true&preview_id=2774561 Statement signed by diverse group of national religious leaders, days after IDF says women will be able to serve in elite search and rescue unit, claims such moves will divide army

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]]> Elite IDF search and rescue unit to be open to women for first time https://www.timesofisrael.com/elite-idf-search-and-rescue-unit-to-be-open-to-women-for-first-time/ Fri, 27 May 2022 07:25:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2770610 Israeli Air Force to let female recruits try out serving in Unit 669, amid High Court appeal seeking full gender integration across the military

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