Scorching Heatwave Forces IDF to Halt Training: 16 Soldiers Collapse in Gaza
The IDF halted all training until July 29, 2025, due to an extreme heatwave, following the hospitalization of 16 soldiers for heatstroke in southern Gaza. The decision prioritizes soldier safety while maintaining operational readiness amid record-breaking temperatures across Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a suspension of all training activities across its units until July 29, 2025, in response to an extreme heatwave gripping the country. The decision, issued by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, follows record-breaking temperatures, including 47.2°C at the Dead Sea and 36°C in southern Gaza, where 70% humidity intensified conditions.
The IDF’s official statement declared, “Following the directive of the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, a training suspension has been ordered for all IDF units until July 29, 2025, due to the exceptional weather conditions expected in the coming days. The IDF is committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel while maintaining the operational readiness of its forces.”
The heatwave’s severity was underscored by the hospitalization of 16 IDF soldiers for heatstroke symptoms during operations in southern Gaza on July 27. One soldier was reported in moderate condition, while the remaining 15 sustained mild injuries, treated at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba and Assuta Ashdod Hospital.
The incident occurred as Gaza temperatures reached 36°C, exacerbating the challenges of combat operations in Operation Rising Lion, which has seen 1,600 soldiers wounded since June 2025. The IDF has implemented strict protocols, including mandatory hydration breaks and reduced physical exertion, but the heatwave, 30% more intense than 2024, per the Israel Meteorological Service, has strained resources. Social media on X reflected concern, with one user posting, “16 soldiers down from heatstroke? The IDF’s right to pause training, this heat is brutal.”
The suspension aims to prevent further heat-related injuries, especially as 14 brushfires erupted in the Negev on July 27, stretching emergency response teams. The IDF’s focus on reservist mental health, with 3,769 PTSD cases reported since October 2023, also informs the cautious approach. Cooling is expected by July 30, potentially allowing training to resume, while operational missions in Gaza and the north continue unabated to counter Hamas and Hezbollah threats.
