In 1979 Avital returned to the Unit , filling a senior position . He participated in the takeover of the Infant day care during the Misgav Am hostage crisis in 1980 . In March 1982 he was appointed Chief Commander of Sayeret Matkal . During his time as Chief Commander the Lebanon War broke out and Avital pushed to activate the unit as a regular infantry unit . During the war , Avital said , in a conference attended by the Defense Minister Ariel Sharon and the Chief of Staff Rafael Eitan , that he opposed the very idea of armored forces entry to Beirut , it being the capital of a neighboring country . Yet Avital said should it be decided to enter the city , he will lead his troops in the operation . A few days before Omer Bar Lev replaced him in the position , Avital participated in the rescue of the kidnapped hostages in line 300
Misgav Am hostage crisis
Misgav Am hostage crisis
Shay Avital