Yishai Zimmerman, Legendary Unit 101 Commando and Medal of Courage Recipient, Dies at 92

Yishai Zimmerman, one of the last surviving fighters of the elite Unit 101 commando unit and a recipient of the Medal of Courage, passed away on Monday at the age of 92 in Kibbutz Ein Harod Ichud. Zimmerman was a participant in the early retaliatory operations of the state and later served in all of Israel's wars, continuing his reserve duty for decades into his later years.

Born in Kibbutz Ein Harod, Zimmerman enlisted in the IDF in 1952 and served as a tank commander. In August 1953, he volunteered for the newly established Unit 101, alongside his classmate Meir Har-Zion. The unit, founded under Ariel Sharon, was tasked with carrying out retaliatory raids and cross-border operations in response to infiltrations. Unit 101 became one of the IDF's most legendary units, with fighters including Zimmerman, Har-Zion, Raphael Eitan, and Yitzhak Gibli. The unit conducted numerous raids and ambushes, including the Kibya operation. In January 1954, Unit 101 merged into the 890th Paratrooper Battalion, and its experience significantly influenced the development of special forces in the IDF.

In November 1955, Zimmerman commanded a force in Operation Volcano, which targeted Egyptian positions near Nitzana. He was awarded the Medal of Courage for his actions during this battle, where he continued to advance independently and clear enemy positions despite heavy casualties among his men. After his regular service, Zimmerman continued in reserve duty as an officer in the Paratroopers' reconnaissance unit, reaching the rank of Major. He participated in the Sinai Campaign, was wounded in the battle for Jerusalem during the Six-Day War, and fought in the Yom Kippur War with a reconnaissance battalion involved in Operation Abirey-Lev, crossing the Suez Canal.

In August 1982, during the First Lebanon War, Zimmerman took a Cessna aircraft without authorization from Beirut airport and flew it to Israel. He was intercepted by fighter jets, put on trial, sentenced to prison, and demoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Despite this, he continued his reserve service as a tank transporter driver and participated in the Second Lebanon War and Operation Protective Edge. Alongside his extensive military career, Zimmerman was active in the protest against the disengagement from Gush Katif, an initiative by his former commander Ariel Sharon. He also engaged in robotics and participated in technological competitions at the Technion, winning several first prizes. He is survived by his wife and six children.