Israel Holds Largest “Hezbollah War Exercise” In Years Amid Iran Tensions

Originally appeared at ZeroHedge

Israel conducted the largest military drill it’s held in years during the first half of this week, according to the AP, which described the exercise as intended a simulated “future war” against Hezbollah.

The four-day war games concluded on Wednesday, and though pre-planned, came just days following the tanker attack incident in the Gulf of Oman which has sent tensions between Washington and Tehran soaring. The exercise focused on an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) multi-pronged all-branch deployment against threats on Israel’s northern border.

Israeli officials have cited fears that Tehran could mobilize its Lebanese proxy force to mount a major attack on Israel’s north. To simulate a response to such an attack, which is reminiscent to the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war which took place in southern Lebanon, the IDF deployed a large fleet of unmanned aircraft and F-35 stealth jets, along with simulating tunnel operations — an infiltration tactic long used by Hezbollah as well as Palestinian Hamas.

Israel Holds Largest "Hezbollah War Exercise" In Years Amid Iran Tensions

Israeli military exercises file photo.

According to the AP, statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he observed part of the drill didn’t reference Hezbollah by name, though it was clear the Lebanese Shia militant group was being referenced.

“I am very impressed by the improvement in readiness, by the fighting spirit of the soldiers and commanders, and mainly by the destructive power,” Netanyahu said. “I say to our enemies: The (military) has very great destructive power. Don’t test us.”

However on Tuesday Israeli President Reuven Rivlin did single out the “threat” from across the country’s northern border: “We caution Hezbollah not to subordinate Lebanon to Iran’s agenda, and we caution Lebanon not to be used as a launching pad for attacks against Israel,” Rivlin said. “We are not happy to go to war, but the military is fully prepared to respond to any threat and any scenario.”

Israel’s Arrow rocket system was also reported integrated into the drill, which is a multi-layer aerial defense system focused on intercepting the longest range missiles — the type that Iran is able to supply.

One particular observation from the AP report which suggests Israel is likely taking a very active behind-the-scenes roll in lobbying the Trump White House to take greater action against Tehran following last week’s tanker attacks is as follows: “Netanyahu, who has been a vocal critic of Iran over the years, has been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the latest escalation in the Persian Gulf.”

Indeed this means Netanyahu is very likely hard at work ensuring the US “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran ultimately pays off in his favor.

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Rodger

Silly Israel. The next war will be waged from the ruins of Jordan.

Saladin

Jordan is a fortress, if anyone will try to destabilize the Kingdom, the Jordanian royal army will know how to handle the parasitic, miserable cancer people the way he dealt with them in September 1970

Rodger

Jordan works on foreign money. It’s government is a joke.

Paul

War games conclusion, let’s not use the F35s. ?

Pavel Pavlovich

I openly question the power of the Israeli “Anti-Air-Capabilities”.
And it is too easy to saturate NATO-built SAMs with cheap targets,
then commence the real barrage.

Hrky75

Millitaries traditionaly prepare for the last war, making brilliant plans that rarely survive the first contact with the enemy. Only if Hezbollah were kind enough to play by IDF scenario once the shooting starts. Only something tells me old Hasan Nasrallah will play by his own rules – totaly unsportsmenlike of him…

Robert Browning

They can train all they want but no Jew is ready to die for their goddamned Israel. Jews hate the sight of Jewish blood more than they hate Christ and Christians.

Toronto Tonto

They love the sight of Nazi blood like yours .

Robert Browning

I am a Christian. Why did you kill Christ you miserable dirtyfuck?

Telmo Silva (TSilva)

Because for them Jesus Christ was a traitor in assuming himself as the chosen one and the messiah.

Robert Browning

The promise of the Jew religion to the Jew people is the subjugation of the non-Jew. Christ did not have to die, he was the son of God, he had the power of God, he chose to die rather than meet the demands of the Jews.

Toronto Tonto

Is Hezbollah not a terrorist organization ????? funded by Iran who is supplied by Russia ????.
I see they stick together like shitt .

Not a fan of Israel

Did they rope in a lot of women and children to act out as enemies?

©igare☘☘e?Sm⚽️k?ng?Man️?

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/Ey0Wx3b.png)

Netanyahu’s decision to impose new elections on an electorate and body politic yearning for peace and quiet could come back to haunt him.

It may be seen in the future as the tipping point that precedes the creation of a critical mass that could drive a sufficient number of Likud voters to abandon ship, to the left or to the right, and to leave Netanyahu in the lurch.