The Israeli army has conducted large-scale and unprecedented military exercises along its borders with Egypt and Jordan, as it prepares for several scenarios, all stemming from the failure to prevent the 7 October 2023 attack.
Hebrew-language media reported that the 80th Division, responsible for the southern borders, had completed extensive training for its forces, with a particular focus on the borders with Egypt and Jordan. The exercises also covered rapid responses to emergencies, while increasing manpower and strengthening the forces’ presence and movement on the ground.
The reports said close coordination was carried out between the ground and naval forces to maintain readiness in the Red Sea city of Eilat. An operations officer in the Yoav Brigade said the exercise had been planned in advance as part of the training schedule and was not a response to any unusual event.
However, the officer said the scale of the exercise reflected a major change in military thinking since the events of 7th October. He said they had realised that “the enemy is changing its approach and they must change theirs too”, adding that they were no longer preparing only for a limited incident but also for a large-scale infiltration at several points, which was practiced on the ground.
