IDF’s new armored jeep 'Be’eri' named after community devastated by Hamas

After losing dozens of vehicles during the initial invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, the IDF has a new jeep designed to handle the unique challenges it has faced during the war in Gaza. 

The new vehicle, nicknamed Be’eri, is built by General Dynamics in the United States. The IDF named the jeep after Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the southern Israeli border communities which suffered some of the worst of Hamas’ atrocities on October 7. 

Outside of Israel, the IDF's new jeeps is called Flyer 72 and has already been used by the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), where it replaced the HUMVEE. 

The IDF chose to purchase the armored version of the Flyer 72 specifically to address complex situation in Gaza that soldiers have been facing in their fight against Hamas terrorists and operatives.

Lieutenant N., an inspector general in BALNAM, the IDF's School of Operational Mobility, said the Be’eri jeep is “different from any vehicle we have known to date in the IDF.” 

Unlike previous jeeps used by the American military or the IDF, the driver of the Be'eri sits in the middle of the vehicle, allowing greater range of motion for the wheel rotation and a better sense of orientation for the driver. The arrangement also allows two machine gunners to sit on either side of the driver. 

“From an operational point of view, it is possible to place two fighters with a machine gun on both sides of the driver, and this significantly improves the lethality on the battlefield,” Lt. N said. 

The vehicle has a top speed of 150 km/h (95 mph) and drives at a regular cruising speed of around 100 km/h (60 mph) offroad.

On addition, the Be’eri is able to tackle almost any terrain because of its high ground clearance (30.5 cm under load) and fully independent suspension.

"The ‘Be'eri' handles ruins, deep sands, as well as fields and agricultural areas," said the commander, "and all this without compromising on the high speed that characterizes it. It's an important combination to have – especially when we're fighting inside Gaza."

Besides a fully independent suspension, each wheel on the Be’eri has a refillable shock absorber, allowing ride height to be adjusted independently from the cabin to match terrain and situational requirements. 

“There is also adjustment for situations of evacuating and rescuing the injured, off-road driving, side slopes, as well as attack mode,” Lt. N explained. “This allows us to adapt quickly even under fire.” 

The modular construction of the Be’eri allows it to be adapted to various battlefield platforms that the IDF already uses and can be reconfigured for different operational needs. 

The IDF began receiving Be’eri jeeps at the end of 2023 and are expected to see operational use almost immediately.