Last month, a near-disaster was averted in the Gaza Strip due to a malfunctioning air conditioner in a Namer armored personnel carrier (APC). On July 26, a significant heatwave began in the region, with temperatures soaring to 35°C (95°F). The air conditioner meant to cool the Namer failed, and as the interior temperature reached 60°C (140°F), soldiers opened the top hatch to get some air.
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.
The opened hatch, as seen in the Hamas video (Social media)
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.
IDF troops in the Gaza Strip in 2025 (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
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.”
