Israel Defense Forces (IDF) brigades that have been active in the fight against Hamas in the Gaza Strip conducted training in northern Israel last week in preparation for a possible ground war with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The Kfir Brigades, which have been deployed in Gaza and other areas, are now turning their attention to the northern front.
The Israel Defense Forces’ Kfir Brigade trains in northern Israel in preparation for fighting in southern Lebanon, August 4, 2024 (Israel Defense Forces)
In a joint statement from the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA, Shin Bet and Shabak), the Israeli army said:
This week (Thursday), following a series of exercises by the Northern Command’s reserve brigades, the first exercise by the Kfir Brigade, a regular-duty infantry brigade in the Northern Region, was completed.
Over the past few days, the soldiers of the Kfir Brigade have been conducting combat training in hostile territory, moving through thickets and mountainous terrain and practicing firing. As part of the training, the troops have practiced combat scenarios, evacuation of wounded, encounters with the enemy, and the use of camouflage and combat techniques. Various command posts were trained.
The exercise is part of an ongoing series of Army exercises focused on the northern sector led by the Army Training Centre.
Since the start of the war, the brigade’s soldiers have been active in three regions: in Gaza, where they have conducted exercises in the south, central and northern parts of the Gaza Strip, in Judea and Samaria, where they have arrested terrorists, and in the north, where they have participated in fighting on the northern border.
Hezbollah attacked Israel in October, launching a flurry of rockets, drones and anti-tank missiles after Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel. Israel evacuated 60,000 civilians from border towns, fought back and has moved more aggressively in recent weeks to eliminate key Hezbollah leaders, including in Beirut.
The possibility of war has risen in recent days, with Iran vowing revenge for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah deputy commander Fuad Shukr (al-Hajj Mohsin) in Beirut.
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