Israeli army concludes large-scale military drill near Lebanon border

By Anadolu staff

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli army on Tuesday concluded a large-scale drill near the Lebanese border amid cross-border attacks with Hezbollah.

A military statement said the drill by the 146th Division, the army’s largest reserve division, as well as the Navy, Air Force, police and rescue services aimed at “increasing readiness and strengthening cooperation between the forces.”

The army said the military exercise simulated several scenarios, including defending the region, evacuating wounded under fire, and different attacks.

“The IDF (army) continues to train vigorously in order to maintain full readiness for all threats and attempts by the enemy to harm the citizens of Israel or its territory,” it added.

Tension has flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchanges of weapons fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.

The escalation comes amid an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 33,300 Palestinians following a Hamas attack last October.

Lebanese authorities said that at least 313 people have been killed, 1,000 injured and around 100,000 others displaced by Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon since Oct. 8, 2023. Around 20 Israelis have also been killed in Hezbollah attacks, according to Israeli figures.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul