Israel kickstarts major drills in preparation for possible multi-front war PHOTO

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale two-week-long drill across the country on May 30 morning, simulating a potential multi-front war.

A local military source said the drill would include the Air Force conducting simulated “strategic” strikes deep in enemy territory in an all-out war scenario, and the Navy carrying out mock offensive and defensive actions, The Times of Israel reports.

The IDF said troops from the standing and reserve army, from nearly all units, would participate in the exercise - dubbed Firm Hand - over the next two weeks.
“The forces will practice handling challenges and sudden events on multiple fronts simultaneously,” the IDF said.

According to the military, the drill was pre-planned, meaning it did not stem from any recent security assessments.

The IDF warned that there would be a noted increase in security forces and aircraft across the country during the drill.

Last year, the IDF held its largest drill in decades. The four-week-long exercise - called Chariots of Fire - also focused on sudden events erupting in multiple theatres at the same time, while mostly dealing with fighting the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel has been pushing for the US to prepare military contingency plans in order to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. US President Joe Biden has said he is prepared to use military force if necessary but still prefers to exhaust the diplomatic route first.

In light of the lack of progress regarding a return by Iran to a 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, however, the IDF ramped up efforts over the past two years to prepare a credible military threat against Tehran’s nuclear sites.