TEL AVIV – The IDF conducted a surprise drill this week simulating a large-scale attack from Lebanese terror organization Hezbollah.
Thousands of soldiers from the Northern Command conscript divisions were called up Sunday to conduct the military exercise on Israel’s northern border.
The exercise only tested the infantry’s readiness to respond to an attack and did not account for reservists. The goal was to test Israel’s immediate response to an outbreak of war with limited advance intel, according to an anonymous IDF source.
“It’s about a fast switch from routine to a situation that’s not routine, where you’re preparing for it to be something else,” the senior officer said.
The drill involved soldiers from the IDF’s elite Golani Brigade, special operations Oz Brigade, Combat Intelligence Collection Corps and others, as well as help from the air force to transport the soldiers to the Northern Command’s 91st Division.
When the drill was over on Monday afternoon, the Northern Command returned to “normal” the officer said.
She stressed that the drill was not in response to any particular threat, and also did not specify what – if any – incident sparked the simulated Hezbollah attack.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot viewed the exercise along with GOC Northern Command Maj. Gen. Yoel Strik and Galilee Division Commander Brig. Gen. Amir Baram.
“The way to prevent war is to ensure your preparedness,” Eizenkot said.