HAIFA, Israel — April 16, 2026 : The Israeli military has released new operational details outlining the scope of naval activities conducted during recent multi-front conflicts, including previously undisclosed long-range missions by its commando and submarine forces. The information was made public in conjunction with a formal change of command ceremony held Thursday evening at the Atlit naval base near Haifa.
According to official statements, the Navy’s elite Shayetet 13 commando unit carried out a long-range operation thousands of kilometers from Israel during the conflict. Military officials noted that the mission took place in a region where the unit had not previously operated. No further details were provided regarding the timing, location, or specific objectives of the operation.
The Navy also confirmed a record deployment involving its submarine fleet. One submarine operated at the farthest distance ever recorded in the history of Israeli naval operations. During the peak of the conflict, submarines were deployed simultaneously across three separate maritime theaters, reflecting a significant expansion in operational reach.
Additional data released by the military detailed the Navy’s role across multiple operational domains. Naval warships conducted 53 targeted strikes in Lebanon and six strikes in the Gaza Strip. In support of broader military operations, the Naval Intelligence Division contributed intelligence and operational planning for approximately 95 airstrikes carried out inside Iran.
Naval forces were also engaged in aerial defense missions. During the conflict, they responded to around 40 separate aerial threat incidents and intercepted several dozen unmanned aerial vehicles.
The operational summary was disclosed as Vice Adm. Eyal Harel formally assumed command of the Israeli Navy, succeeding Vice Adm. David Saar Salama. The handover ceremony took place on April 16, 2026, at the Atlit base.
Salama is retiring after a 39-year military career, including more than four and a half years as head of the Navy. His tenure included overseeing naval operations during the October 7 attacks, when naval units engaged Hamas militants attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory by sea near Zikim. Since the onset of the war, senior military officials have stated that Hamas’s maritime capabilities have been significantly reduced.
Vice Adm. Harel assumes leadership of a naval force that has expanded its operational profile, integrating long-range deployments, aerial defense responsibilities, and cross-branch intelligence coordination. The Navy’s latest disclosures provide a summary of selected activities across multiple theaters, without additional details beyond the figures and general descriptions released.
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