--- title: "Israeli Troops’ ‘Chef’s Hat’ Helmet Covers Explained" date: "2023-11-13" modified: "2023-11-13" authors: - name: "Oliver Parken" job_title: "Former Associate Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/oliver-parken" url: "https://www.twz.com/israeli-troops-chefs-hat-helmet-covers-explained" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Israel" - "Land" - "Land Warfare History" - "Middle East" - "News & Features" - "Soldier Systems" tags: - "hamas" - "hezbollah" - "Iran" - "israel" - "Must Read Features" --- # Israeli Troops’ ‘Chef’s Hat’ Helmet Covers Explained ![A member of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) seen wearing a Mitznefet, or 'chef's hat']() *Israeli Defense Force/Agilite* After the outbreak of war between [Israel and Hamas]() in [early October,]() the odd-looking 'chef’s hats' or 'clown hats' of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have once again been on display. While a seemingly strange piece of kit to the uninitiated, what is known as the *Mitznefet* has been used by the IDF for decades. The headgear serves a number of purposes on and off the battlefield for IDF troops. https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1722924459248455796?s=20 The *Mitznefet* was first issued by the IDF [in the mid-1990s](), at which time Israeli troops were engaged in conflict with Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon during the South Lebanon conflict. The exact origins of the *Mitznefet* before this remain murky, however. IDF units were [known to create their own]() 'chef's hats' prior to the mid-1990s, often cut from equipment concealment netting and two-piece mesh over-suits sported by reconnaissance and sniper units. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3kFcehRYQ While their description as 'chef’s hats' or 'clown hats' is fairly self-explanatory, use of the term *Mitznefet* to describe them has historical connections. The word *Mitznefet* can be translated in several ways to mean 'wrap,' 'bonnet' and 'turban.' Moreover, a turban known as the *Mitznefet* was worn by the Jewish High Priest in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the [Second Temple period](), approximately 586 BC-AD 70, from which the word's modern meaning derives. ![]() *Illustration of a Jewish high priest wearing a *Mitznefet*. *Braun & Schneider via Wikimedia Commons** The headgear is primarily used for camouflage. Much larger in size than the helmets they cover, they are designed to break up the highly-recognizable rounded shape of helmets, especially amongst the asymmetry of nature. While other helmet covers often retain the overall helmet shape, the *Mitznefet* distorts their shape entirely. Even in camouflage colors and patterns, rounded helmets stick out in natural surroundings, making the *Mitznefet* useful for the concealment of those wearing it. This is especially important for long-range snipers trying to pick out a target to hit. They are also used to prevent any light sources from reflecting off the user's helmet, as they are typically made from mesh material. This is less of an issue now than it once was, but regardless, it's another potential benefit. The *Mitznefet* can provide protection from the sun for the wearer, and is easily adjustable to provide maximum head coverage — a critical benefit in the hot deserts of the Middle East. It can also be worn without a helmet underneath. ![]() *Wearer seen sporting a *Mitznefet* in 2011 during an exercise. *Sgt. Ori Shifrin, IDF Spokesperson's Unit** Modern-day iterations are produced by [various Israeli tactical gear manufacturers](), the most prominent of which is [Agilite](). [Agilite’s ]()*[Mitznefet]()* is made from military-specification nylon mesh and includes military-specification plastic hardware produced by the [American company ITW Nexus](). Its coverings are fully adjustable to all helmet sizes and also feature tethers to connect them securely to helmets. ![]() *Agilite's *Mitznefet*. *Agilite** The manufacturer’s 'chef’s hats' come in a military-specification [MultiCam color palette](), [introduced in 2013](), which, [according to the company](), "enhances camouflaging capabilities in various environments" against enemy snipers. They [are reversible]() — allowing the wearer to switch between camouflage for different kinds of combat environments, such as the desert or wooded locales. According to Agilite, the reversible mesh is made possible by a special printing process developed by Israeli camouflage specialists [Fibrotex](). ![]() ![]() **Israeli Defense Forces/Agilite** It should be noted that for the benefits they offer, the headgear is relatively cost-effective. Agilite [currently lists]() its *Mitznefet* at just $49, and other [online retailers]() list the same product at under $70. For large military orders, that price is likely substantially less. While most famously sported by Israeli soldiers, the *Mitznefet* has been used by other militaries in the past. Polish forces have been seen with the headgear, while a small number of them have allegedly been supplied to Ukraine by Israel previously, [according to Russian state media](). ![]() *Polish forces seen wearing *Mitznefet*, date unknown. *Unknown author** Outside of IDF usage, the *Mitznefet* — or at least headgear bearing a striking resemblance to it — has most notably been worn by members of the armed branch of Hamas, known as Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (IQB). Versions of the headgear have been sported by IQB troops at ceremonies and parades as well as during operations. However, IQB coverings tend to be made from thicker fabrics, matching the camouflage patterns of the wearer's uniform. ![]() *Members of the Islamist movement Hamas' military wing Al-Qassam Brigades during the funeral of six of their comrades who were killed in an unexplained explosion the night before, in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza strip on May 6, 2018. *Photo by Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto** Beyond this, the *Mitznefet* has not been widely adopted by other militaries around the world — at least in part because other forms of helmet camouflage that serve similar purposes are used. That's not to say that Israel's 'chef’s hats' couldn't be adopted by other militaries, however. So there you have it, now you know exactly what these interesting pieces of kit are used for as well as their historical connections. *Contact the author: [oliver@thewarzone.com]()* ## Author Oli’s background is in the cultural and military history of twentieth-century Britain. Before joining *The War Zone* team in early in 2022, he was Assistant Lecturer at the University of Kent's Center for the History of War, Media and Society in the U.K., where he completed his PhD in 2021. Alongside his contributions to *The War Zone*'s military history catalog, he also covers contemporary topics and breaking news. ### Author social links [Twitter]()