By Lilach Shoval and Israel HaYom Staff
The Israel Defense Forces’ elite Golani Brigade held a large drill this week simulating battles with Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanon border.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stressed that the exercise was routine and was part of a series of drills by the 36th Division in the northern sector.
The drill included armored, engineering and artillery forces that simulated various scenarios of clashes with the Iranian-backed Shi’ite terrorist group, including open-area and urban warfare in daytime and nighttime conditions.
The exercise also included collaborations between ground, air and intelligence troops and the use of new technological capabilities recently introduced by the IDF.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot observed the drill on Wednesday and lauded the troops’ wartime readiness.
“Each exercise reflects the IDF’s operational, physical and mental readiness. The soldiers’ strength can be felt on the ground; this is Golani’s fighting spirit,” he told the troops.
As part of its ongoing training for a potential future war with Hezbollah, the IDF is in the process of building a training compound in northern Israel that would include six “Hezbollah villages.”
The premises will simulate dense urban surroundings, including different buildings, mosques, underground compounds and more. Thick vegetation will also be planted in the compound to better mimic the situation on the ground in Lebanon.
The IDF expects to complete the compound’s construction by the end of the year.