IDF unit — Maglan (מגלן, Unit 212, Commando Brigade): deep operations behind enemy lines, Gibush Yachatiot, profile, 18-month training, olim
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglan; https://garinmahal.com/gibushim-tryouts; https://draftidf.co.il/units/ · 2026-09
What it is
Maglan is a special-forces unit founded in 1986 (declassified 2006) and since 2015 part of the 89th “Oz” Commando Brigade. It specialises in operating deep behind enemy lines using advanced weapons and technology — precision anti-tank and guided munitions, reconnaissance, target destruction, and sniping (it won the IDF international sniping competition in 2018). Maglan destroyed 150+ Hezbollah targets in 2006, received a Chief of Staff citation for Gaza 2014, and has fought in Gaza and Lebanon since 2023.
Requirements
- Medical profile: 97 as a rule (82 occasionally admitted).
- Kaba / DAPAR: high — the unit’s technology-heavy role rewards strong cognitive scores.
- Hebrew: high.
- Gibush: Gibush Yachatiot (about 3 days), reached via Yom Sayerot or direct invitation.
- Gender: men only.
Training
About 18 months, considered among the hardest courses in the IDF: ~6 months basic and advanced infantry training with the Paratroopers, parachuting, then Maglan’s course — long navigation, camouflage and observation, advanced weapons systems, sniping, demolitions, survival — with a 60 km beret march to the unit’s base. Roughly two-thirds of starters drop out; a standard requirement is to carry ~70% of body weight over tens of kilometres.
Service length
32 months conscription; extra keva is not generally required for the basic operator track (command and specialist tracks add time). Confirm at the gibush.
For olim
- Entry via Gibush Yachatiot makes it more reachable than the Yom Sayerot units; no multi-year signing.
- Hebrew still needs to be strong. Michve Alon graduates are rarely invited, but can ask the placement officer at the end of the course.
- Physically it is one of the most punishing tracks — arrive with a serious base of running under load.
- NBN’s Lone Soldiers Program can submit a screening request (army@nbn.org.il).
Maglan vs Egoz vs Duvdevan
Same brigade, same gibush, same Paratroopers basic training. Maglan = deep operations with advanced weapons and technology. Egoz = guerrilla/anti- guerrilla warfare and fieldcraft, historically the northern border. Duvdevan = undercover urban counter-terror in Judea & Samaria.
Contacts
- Meitav: 1111 · Mitgaisim: mitgaisim.idf.il
- NBN Lone Soldiers Program: army@nbn.org.il, 02-659-5800