Unit 101 was an Israeli special operations unit founded and led by Ariel Sharon on orders from Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion in August 1953. It was created to retaliate against a spate of Arab fedayeen violence against Israelis. The vast majority of its targets were innocent Palestinian civilians. According to Sharon, Ben-Gurion told him that "the Palestinians must learn that they will pay a high price for Israeli lives". Its commander was major Sharon, his deputy in command was Shlomo Baum. Unit 101 was disbanded in late 1955.