Not a Combat Helmet but a 'Chef's Hat'... Why Do Israeli and Hamas Soldiers Wear It?

'Mitsunepet' Excellent Urban Camouflage Effectiveness

Some soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who entered the Gaza Strip have attracted attention by wearing 'chef hats' instead of helmets.

On the 13th (local time), the U.S. military media Warzone highlighted the military hat worn by IDF soldiers called 'Mitznefet.' This hat is nicknamed the chef hat or clown hat locally.

An Israeli soldier wearing Mitsunepet is seen moving [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The Mitznefet was first introduced in the mid-1990s when the IDF fought against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The origin of the word Mitznefet comes from the hats worn by ancient Jewish high priests.

The asymmetrical Mitznefet is said to be useful for concealment. Helmets have artificial curves and can reflect sunlight, which risks exposing the soldier's position. In contrast, the Mitznefet uses mesh (functional fabric) material that does not reflect light and has a natural asymmetrical shape, making it advantageous for concealment.

IDF soldiers wear the Mitznefet as a cover over their helmets. In particular, military Mitznefets have adopted camouflage patterns, making it easier to conceal in urban areas.

The Gaza Strip, where the IDF and Hamas are currently engaged in fierce battles, is a typical urban warfare terrain with many surrounding structures and obstacles, making the success of concealment and cover directly linked to survival.

For this reason, the Mitznefet is reportedly favored not only by the IDF but also by Hamas fighters. Hamas obtains separate Mitznefets matching their uniform patterns and wears them, mainly used by snipers who prioritize concealment ability.

Meanwhile, the IDF announced on the 14th that it had taken control of key facilities in the Gaza Strip, including the parliament building, military police headquarters, police station, and government offices. On the IDF's official account on the social networking service 'X,' photos were posted showing IDF soldiers raising the Israeli flag on the parliament podium.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.