Six female IDF soldiers needed medical attention on Thursday after fainting, apparently caused by an electrical failure that disabled the air conditioning at a military base near Eilat.
The soldiers were participating in a border defense training course when the incident occurred. As temperatures soared and the cooling system remained inoperative, the IDF released all course participants early.
Due to the ongoing heatwave, the army issued orders to scale back physical training and implement operational adjustments.
Before the rise in temperatures, the IDF Technology and Logistics Directorate sent electricians and support teams to bases nationwide to address potential heat-related equipment failures.
A special task force was created by the chief of staff to oversee and handle heat-related incidents. Specifically at the border defense base, dismissal times were moved up, and personnel were moved into air-conditioned classrooms.
The military said that units across the country are equipped to respond to fire-related emergencies, with water tanks and flame-retardant materials distributed as a precaution.
Hundreds of air conditioning units installed
At the border defense base alone, about 100 air conditioning units have been installed. Every room in the Jordan Valley sector is currently equipped, and ongoing upgrades aim to improve cooling efficiency.
Units under the Southern Command recently received 498 air-conditioning kits designed primarily for enclosed tents.
In the Gaza Strip, 503 wind-resistant kits were delivered, including air-conditioning generators and compatible wiring.
The IDF said that no technical malfunctions have been reported in Syria, Gaza, or Lebanon sectors, where full readiness remains in place.
While equipment failures have increased due to the extreme heat, response teams have been dispatched to affected areas to restore functionality as quickly as possible.