After the capture of Gilad Shalit, the IDF improved on its captivity training for Israel Air Force pilots and soldiers from elite units including Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet 13. This is to better prepare them in the event they are taken captive during their behind enemy lines operations chas v’sholom.

After Shalit was released from his years in Hamas captivity he was able to provide a wealth of information regarding his conditions, and this lead to advancing the new program for the elite soldiers. Shalit’s information was instrumental in assisting Brigadier-General Noam Tivon, who is in charge of the special training program.

Due to the severity of the week of captivity training, the military includes mental health professionals to observe the soldiers during the period as in the past, some elite soldiers dropped out due to the severity of the training.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)