Acronym for Plugot Mahat-Assault Companies; commando units of the Hagana in Palestine and later the shock batallions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In May 1941, the Hagana created a full-time military force of volunteers, a professional and elite unit.
The Palmah played a key role in Israel's War of Independence (1948-49), but afterward, its units were integrated into the IDF, with former Palmah members occupying many senior command positions.
Historical Dictionary of Israel. Bernard Reich David H. Goldberg. Edited by Jon Woronoff..