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Data appendix for the study of Israeli Special Operations Forces (SOF). This repository contains structured datasets supporting research on the organizational history, operations, personnel, and evolution of Israeli special operations and elite military units from the pre-state era through the modern IDF.
All data files were originally maintained in Airtable and exported for archival and replication purposes. The repository is published via GitHub Pages.
Use the interactive appendix to browse, search, and filter 26 catalogued datasets and methodological documents. The register groups material into units, people, operations, terrorism, losses, and documentation, and identifies the preferred version when related files overlap.
The repository contains CSV and XLSX data plus methodological documentation. Logical CSV record counts are generated from the files themselves and published in record-counts.json; this avoids treating quoted line breaks as extra records.
Units_March_2026_1_all.csv The most comprehensive and up-to-date units database (March 2026), covering identified Israeli SOF and elite units across all eras. Fields include Unit, Affiliation, and Audio-video.
Units_March_20262.csv Updated units database (March 2026) with organizational lineage tracking. Includes predecessor/successor relationships and affiliation details. Fields include Unit, Year Established, Affiliation, Predecessor, and Successor.
UNITSN_194.csv Earlier version of the units database, including Hebrew-language cells and some missing values. Tracks unit lineage, organizational affiliation, and role. Fields include Name, Notes (Hebrew), Attachments, Predecessor, Successor, Affiliation, Year Established, Year Disbanded, Branch, Command, Rrole (Role), References, and Bibliography Attachment.
UNITSLongevityN_90.csv Fully documented English-language database with 90 records, focused on unit longevity analysis. Contains standardized longevity metrics for SOF units. Fields include ID, Formed, Dissolved, Overall Longevity, Standardized Longevity, Fate (merged/demised/expanded), Size, Status (Cons/Semi-Pro/Ad-Hoc/Res), and Entrepreneur (none/founder/transformative).
UNITS-Grid view.csv Airtable grid-view export containing bilingual data (English names and Hebrew notes). Includes status classification and key individuals associated with each unit. Fields include ID, Name copy, Notes (Hebrew), Status (Conventional/Elite), Year Established, Year Disbanded, and Individuals.
Units Glossary-Grid.csv Glossary-style reference mapping English unit names to Hebrew equivalents, with associated individuals and predecessor information. Fields include Unit1, UNIT - HEBREW, Individuals, and Predecessor.
prestate_units.csv Database of 36 pre-state (pre-1948) special operations units from the Haganah, Palmach, and British Army era, with organizational role classification. Fields include Name, Notes (year formed), Attachments (year disbanded), LONGEVITY, ORGANIZATION, LOCATION, and ROLE (Preventive/Clandestine/Commando/Intelligence/Reconnaissance).
regional_defensive.csv Database of regional defensive and reconnaissance units with geographic coordinates, useful for spatial analysis of unit deployment. Fields include Name, Notes (year), Attachments, Location, Latitude, Longitude, REGIONAL COMMAND, Affiliation, and Predecessor.
IDF_Individuals_April_2026.xlsx The most recent database of IDF individuals associated with special operations forces (April 2026 update). Excel format (25.8 KB); download required to inspect contents.
individuals_global.csv Global reference list of notable individuals relevant to the study of special operations worldwide. Includes birth/death dates and Wikipedia links for reference. Fields include Name, Born, Died, and Link (Wikipedia URLs).
individuals_glossary.csv Glossary of 87 individuals associated with Israeli SOF units. Includes unit affiliations, roles, associates, and rival relationships. Partially complete — some records require additional data. Fields include Name, Born, Died, Units, Roles, Associates, and Rivals.
attrition_operations.csv Database of operations during the War of Attrition period (1967-1970). Documents military operations with participating units, branch, scale, and location. Fields include DATE, NAME, Number of Units, Units, Branch (Land/Navy), SCALE (Small/Medium/Large), and Location.
palyam_operations1939-1948.csv Database of 26 Palyam (naval commando) operations from 1939 to 1948, covering the pre-state and early independence period. Fields include Title, Operation, Details, Date, Location, and Coordinates.
sayeret_matkal_birds.csv Database of 7 early Sayeret Matkal intelligence-gathering operations (code-named "birds"), conducted in the 1960s primarily against Egyptian Air Force targets. Fields include Name, Notes, Date, Unit, and Location.
reprisals.csv Dataset documenting reprisal and military operations from 1952 to 1964. Includes operation names, dates, locations, and detailed place descriptions. Fields include Date, Date - Translated, Operation Name, Location, and Place.
reprisals.xlsx Excel version of the reprisals database (529 KB). May contain additional formatting or sheets not present in the CSV export.
Border Wars 1952-1956.xlsx Database covering border war operations from 1952 to 1956. Excel format (529 KB); download required to inspect contents.
IAF_1973_Losses.csv Database of 108 Israeli Air Force (IAF) aircraft losses during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Each record represents one aircraft loss event with details on the aircraft type, weapon that downed it, crew names, squadron, and fate of the crew. Fields include ID, Notes (date), Attachments (aircraft type), Front (Syria/Egypt), Weapon (SA6/SA2/SAM/AAA/54-7/accident), Type 2 (aircraft designation), Name1, Name2, Squadron, Location, Description, and Fate (kia/ok/pow/mia).
All CSV files can be previewed directly on GitHub by clicking on any file name. GitHub renders CSV files as searchable tables. XLSX files must be downloaded to view.
Click on any file, then click the "Raw" button or the download icon to save a single file.
To download all files at once:
git clone https://github.com/pedahzur/SOF-APPENDIX.git
cd SOF-APPENDIX
git checkout gh-pagesCSV files can be opened with any spreadsheet application (Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc) or loaded into data analysis tools such as R, Python (pandas), or Stata. For example, in Python:
import pandas as pd
units = pd.read_csv("Units_March_20262.csv")
losses = pd.read_csv("IAF_1973_Losses.csv")Note that some CSV files contain Hebrew text. Ensure your application supports UTF-8 encoding when opening these files.
After changing a CSV file, regenerate the public counts:
python3 scripts/generate_record_counts.py
python3 scripts/generate_record_counts.py --checkThe generator uses a CSV parser rather than physical line counts, so quoted multiline fields are counted correctly. Both record-counts.json and the browser-readable js/record-counts.js are generated artifacts.
Not every research source may be redistributed. The GTD source data and codebook are intentionally absent from the public branch; obtain them directly from START. See RIGHTS_AND_ACCESS.md for the access links and repository policy.
After deploying a release, run python3 scripts/check_live_rights.py to confirm that the restricted paths return HTTP 404 or 410.
Methodological_Appendix_Fallen_Oct7.md is a draft with unresolved verification markers. Its underlying record-level dataset is not included here, so its figures should not yet be cited as final.
The repository is deployed via GitHub Pages at: https://pedahzur.github.io/SOF-APPENDIX/
The repository has evolved over time. Earlier files (2019-2020) were initial AirTable exports. The March and April 2026 files represent the most current versions of the units and individuals databases. When multiple versions of a dataset exist (e.g., several units files), prefer the most recently dated version for analysis.
If you use these data in academic work, please cite the repository and the associated publication.
Ami Pedahzur University of Haifa
Please contact the author regarding permissions for use and redistribution of these data.