REAL LIFE FAUDA: What it's really like to be an undercover Israel agent

In a rare glimpse into the clandestine world of Israeli counterterrorism, former officer Shir Peled has pulled back the curtain on some of the country's most daring undercover operations. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Peled, one of the first women to serve in the elite Yamas unit of the Israeli Border Police, offered insights into the high-stakes world of covert missions in Gaza and the West Bank.

Peled's revelations shed light on two recent operations that captured international attention: Operation Arnon, which resulted in the rescue of four hostages in Gaza, and a bold raid on a hospital in Jenin that thwarted a major terror attack.

"Our job as undercover fighters is to always come up with new tactical methods to fight in and to blend in the fields," Peled explained. This blending in, she notes, often requires operatives to transform themselves into characters straight out of a movie set, maintaining an air of calm even in the most tense situations.

A military helicopter with fighters who participated in the rescue operation of Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024 (Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

The art of disguise plays a crucial role in these operations. During Operation Arnon, eyewitnesses reported seeing a commercial truck used to transport agents into the Nuseirat refugee camp. Peled emphasized that vehicles are treated like costumes, requiring careful selection and modification to suit specific territories.

In the Jenin hospital operation, Israeli forces took on the personas of Arab doctors, patients, and nurses. CCTV footage shared on social media captured the moments when these disguised operatives entered the facility. Peled highlighted the importance of accessories in maintaining cover, noting how even a wheelchair carried by one operative was an essential part of the disguise.

These undercover units, sometimes referred to as Mista'arvim, operate on a knife-edge, relying on intelligence from Palestinian informants and Israeli undercover agents. Their missions are backed by thousands of soldiers on standby, ready to intervene if needed.

Peled's candid discussion offers a rare look into a world where uncertainty reigns and the stakes couldn't be higher. As she puts it, operatives must learn to work in "big uncertainty," constantly adapting to unpredictable situations.

While these operations have been successful in rescuing hostages and preventing terror attacks, they are not without controversy. The hostage rescue operation in Gaza, for instance, resulted in numerous civilian casualties, highlighting the complex and often tragic nature of urban warfare.

Peled's insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the shadowy world of counterterrorism, where the line between civilian and soldier blurs, and success often hinges on the ability to become invisible in plain sight.

* JPost contributed to this article.