Background
The Mamad (Merhav Mugan Dirati – reinforced residential security room) has been a cornerstone of Israel’s civilian defense system since the early 1990s. Originally designed as protection against inaccurate surface-to-surface missiles (e.g., Iraqi Scuds), it has become a mandatory standard in new residential construction. However, evolving threats – such as those seen in Ukraine, the October 7th War, and the recent “12-Day War” with Iran – raise serious questions about the Mamad’s effectiveness and relevance in today’s battlefield.
Evaluation of Mamad Performance in Recent Conflicts
1. The War in Ukraine
- Threat Profile: Direct strikes by precision ballistic missiles (e.g., Kinzhal, Iskander), suicide drones (Shahed), and bunker-busting munitions.
- Key Insight: Residential buildings, even with reinforced shelters, were destroyed. Standard safe rooms often did not withstand direct impacts.
- Critical Scenario: Ground-level missile hits caused entire buildings to collapse. Residents trapped in safe rooms were killed due to structural collapse or delayed rescue.
2. October 7th War (Israel, 2023)
- Threat Profile: Combined ground infiltration and mass rocket fire on multiple communities.
- Key Insight: The Mamad offers no defense against physical intrusions by hostile forces. Poor emergency exit design turned some safe rooms into death traps.
3. The 12-Day War (June 2025)
- Threat Profile: Long-range, precision-guided ballistic missiles launched from Iran.
- Field Observations: At least 9 buildings collapsed. Some Mamads failed structurally or became sealed, leading to suffocation or death from fire and smoke inhalation.
- Alarm Point: Lack of ventilation or backup systems caused fatalities even in safe rooms not directly hit.
Key Structural and Functional Deficiencies in Typical Israeli Mamads
| Component | Deficiency |
|---|---|
| Blast Door | Inward-opening, may be blocked by debris or pressure wave |
| Ventilation | Single passive vent, no filtering against smoke/gas |
| Emergency Exit | Often missing or inaccessible |
| Structural Position | Located in upper floors – vulnerable to collapse |
| Construction Specs | B30 concrete, 20–25 cm thick – insufficient against advanced threats |
Main Conclusions
- The Mamad does not provide adequate protection against modern threats like precision-guided missiles, structural collapse, or ground infiltration.
- Collapse of surrounding structure can turn Mamads into sealed tombs with no escape route.
- Lack of proper ventilation and emergency exits makes them lethal during fires or chemical incidents.
- They are outdated and do not address new scenarios such as urban combat, combined threats, or earthquakes.
Modern Alternatives to the Mamad
1. Neighborhood-Scale Fortified Shelters (Military-Grade)
- Greater resistance to heavy strikes.
- Equipped with backup systems: smoke filtration, emergency communications, cameras.
- Cost-efficient for high-density urban zones and existing structures.
2. External Modular Reinforced Rooms
- Built separately from the main structure – often in yards or parking areas.
- Avoids risk of building collapse onto the shelter.
- Effective retrofit solution for older homes.
3. Protected Stairwell Systems
- A central evacuation route with blast doors, backup power, and air filtering.
- Critical in multi-story buildings.
- Supports vertical evacuation under fire or debris.
4. Pre-Fabricated Mobile Shelters
- Rapid deployment during emergencies or in exposed settlements.
- Portable, low-cost, and re-deployable.
Immediate Action Plan
- Freeze current Mamad standards pending reassessment.
- Audit all existing Mamads – inspect doors, vents, exits, and ventilation.
- Shift national investment toward collective civil protection infrastructure.
- Educate the public – evacuation protocols, when not to enter a Mamad, where to shelter safely.
- Promote innovation – integrate sensors, smart doors, automated ventilation, and remote rescue options.
Conclusion
The Mamad, while groundbreaking in its time, is no longer adequate for the evolving security challenges Israel faces. The recent conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Israeli urban centers show that concrete alone cannot save lives.
We must transition to a multi-layered, flexible, and intelligent protection strategy that includes escape, ventilation, monitoring, and rescue – to truly protect civilians in the next war.