Israel Prepares for War on Multiple Fronts

IDF wraps up massive military exercise that simulated war in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and other countries

On Thursday, Israel’s military completed a massive military exercise known as Lethal Arrow. The drill began on Sunday and simulated war on multiple fronts, in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and countries far from Israel’s borders.

An IDF spokesperson said the drill simulated a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon to the north and battle with other groups in Syria, Gaza, and “in countries that don’t border” Israel. The drill involved ground forces, fighter jets, and Israel’s Navy.

“We are preparing for a significant attack from the north and at the same time we can’t be surprised by attacks from the east from various ranges,” a senior IDF official said. “We are at war with an enemy with an arsenal of thousands of rockets and we are taking into account that there would be attacks from the east as well.”

Tensions have been high between Israel and Hezbollah since an Israeli airstrike in Syria killed a member of the Shia group. Israel regularly bombs Syria, although they rarely admit it. Israeli officials usually make vague statements about the strikes, and Israeli media paint whatever targets get hit as “Iranian.”

In August, Israel carried out airstrikes on Hezbollah observation posts inside Lebanon near the border after reports of shots being fired towards Israeli troops. Israel also frequently bombs Gaza in response to rocket fire or incendiary kites being sent from the besieged enclave.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.