In footage released by Hamas, terrorists were seen running toward the Namer with its top hatch open. One climbed onto the vehicle, detonated an explosive device, and fled. Miraculously, the device was faulty, and the soldiers were unharmed.

The phenomenon of soldiers in armored vehicles forgoing protection due to extreme heat is not uncommon, a former senior officer told Israel Hayom, citing repeated malfunctions in such APCs, which are based on the Merkava tank chassis and have been used intensively over the past two years.

"Like babies in a car"

"It was a miracle from heaven, 12 people were saved there. It was an incident exactly like the one with the combat engineering vehicle that was hit in June, when Hamas killed 7 soldiers. I spoke to an officer, and he told me, 'You can't stay inside,'" the officer said.

"Every summer, we talk about how you can't leave babies in a closed car. Here, soldiers are sitting in an armored vehicle, the air conditioners don't work because for two years this vehicle has been driven relentlessly, and they have to open the 'hatch' (the Namer's top hatch – H.G.). It doesn't cool, but it at least lets in air. Imagine what a soldier goes through, wearing a flak jacket and helmet in 30°C (86°F) heat, when the temperature inside doubles."

The Namer's air conditioners, defined by the IDF as "life-support systems," are maintained by an external company. However, the vehicles' round-the-clock operation in Gaza has required a different level of maintenance.

Video: The Hamas video showing the top hatch open

Since the war began, the Logistics Corps has deployed field teams – soldiers in every sense – who operate under fire to repair vehicles. Air conditioning systems are replaced in the field when a malfunction is identified, and the faulty system is sent for repair.

The IDF, it must be said, is making significant efforts to address issues with armored vehicles, but the conditions are far from simple, to say the least, due to the prolonged war, and they appear unable to fully meet the challenge.

Increasing malfunctions

For example, the Givati Brigade has been operating Namers in Gaza since the war began, enduring scorching heat and dust in summer and mud and rain in winter. The Golani Brigade has maneuvered in both Lebanon and Gaza since October 7.

The vehicles, which were never designed for such intense strain, are likely accumulating more malfunctions over time. The IDF claims it has not seen widespread issues with air conditioning systems and that any vehicle with a malfunction in life-support systems is supposed to be taken out of service.

Additionally, opening the top hatch is not considered proper under army procedures, even if the air conditioner is not functioning. However, the IDF acknowledges it cannot fully control soldiers who choose to operate such vehicles with faulty air conditioners.

Forces in the field face an impossible decision: disable a vehicle and halt operations due to logistical challenges or operate against guidelines. Many commanders choose to proceed with operations despite the challenge and danger.

"We're not allowed to enter buildings because they're booby-trapped, and we can't enter the APCs because the systems don't work, so what are we supposed to do?" soldiers told their acquaintances. "We're not asking for luxuries, but this is a basic need for fighting in the summer months. You can't fight like this."

The senior officer believes this reflects a known pattern in the ground forces, where soldiers are expected to operate in any condition without recognizing that this harms operational capability.

"A flawed approach"

"The Ground Forces' readiness model assumes that the more you push a soldier – the tougher he's supposed to be. He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep. This is a flawed approach that has been recognized as such worldwide for years. In the Ground Forces, everything is possible – a soldier can go two weeks without sleep, his vehicle can go two weeks without maintenance.

"This is foolish. In the end, there are only a few tens of thousands of combat soldiers in the IDF, the spearhead. They need portable air conditioners and the best equipment available to operate."

In response, the IDF Spokesperson issued the following statement: "Following field inspections, no untreated air conditioning issues are known, and no specific cases have been reported for handling. If malfunctions exist, they are addressed in real time. The vehicles are under close supervision and frequent maintenance. Each battalion has additional air conditioning systems to provide solutions. In case of a malfunction, the IDF works with civilian companies to obtain suitable air conditioning systems.

"Due to the extreme heat and the dusty, sandy operational environment, malfunctions in air conditioning systems occasionally occur. There is no gap in the Southern Command regarding the availability of solutions or the systems' readiness. Technical personnel are responsible for replacing faulty systems, which are repaired in civilian industry."

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The Israel Meteorological Service has forecast unusual weather patterns across the country beginning Wednesday, with severe winds expected to particularly impact the southern Sea of Galilee area. Wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 62 mph from sunrise through 11:00 a.m. local time, with even more powerful gusts anticipated during Thursday morning.

Weather officials have urged residents to take necessary precautions, exercise extreme caution while driving, and avoid travel on potentially dangerous routes. All water activities on the Sea of Galilee and the lower Jordan River have been suspended indefinitely.

The climate in Israel varies considerably despite the country's small size. Along the Mediterranean coastal plain, which includes major cities like Tel Aviv, the climate is typically Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Average summer temperatures range from 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F), while winter temperatures usually stay between 10°C and 18°C (50°F to 65°F). This region receives most of its rainfall between October and early May.

Despite its reputation for sunshine and heat, Israel faces significant weather-related challenges during its winter months. Flash floods pose a serious threat in the Negev Desert's narrow wadis between October and April, where sudden downpours can transform dry riverbeds into raging torrents within minutes. The Israel Meteorological Service issues several flood warnings each winter, particularly for popular hiking areas.

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A wildfire erupted in a forested area near Mevasseret Zion outside Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon, prompting an evacuation of some residents nearest to the fire line.

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Authorities shut down eastbound traffic on Highway 1 from the Hemed interchange. The Latrun interchange was also shut to eastbound traffiice

Report of a brush fire came in shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday. The Mevassaret Zion local authority reported that the fire was spreading toward the Nof Harim neighborhood and that first responders and firefighters were on the scene, trying to contain it. By 3:20 p.m. residents of Nof Harim closest to the fire had been evacuated.

Six firefighting aircraft were scrambled to support the firefighters from the air.

Some parliamentarians-designate were concerned that the road closures would prevent relatives from arriving to see them sworn in on Sunday afternoon.

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Last Wednesday, multiple firefighting squads were called in to battle out-of-control forest fires outside Jerusalem.

One fire broke out on Har Haruach outside the city and spread to nearby communities Neve Ilan, Kibbutz Maaleh Hachamisha, Abu Ghosh, and other locations, aided by the hot and dry June weather, combined with strong winds.

Commanders of the Jerusalem District Fire and Rescue Services issued orders for residents of Kibbutz Maaleh Hachamisa who live in the homes closest to the fire to evacuate.

The KKL-JNF called the fire at Maaleh Hachamisha on Wednesday a "major event," and its own personnel were helping firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Services.

The post Highway 1 closed due to wildfire in Mevasseret Zion appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Video: Eric Danino

The blaze in the small community resulted in many families losing their homes and all of their possessions, although luckily no fatalities were reported.

"Our community is inside a forested area, so we were prepared for this in our subconscious, but we never believed that it would actually happen," Nethaniel Richman, whose family saw their home go in flames, told Israel Hayom. "My wife managed to take a few pieces of jewelry and some equipment, grabbed the kids and the dog and fled. Had we not been aware of this we would have seen casualties."

According to an initial investigation, multiple fire sources were identified, raising the likelihood that the fire was deliberate. Authorities are looking for more clues that would help confirm this.

Yisrael Solomon, a police officer who lives in the community, wore two hats on Thursday. The 31-year-old had to order residents out of the community while protecting his own wife and family.

"I got a phone call from a resident telling me she was seeing a lot of smoke. I realized something unusual was happening, so I informed the authorities and together with other officers just evacuated the residents, moving from one home to the next," he recalled. "I took the weapons we had in the communal storage and took Torah scrolls from the synagogue. Within ten minutes we were gone."

Solomon said his house was turned to rubble, as was that of his parents.

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