Israel drills for surprise attack with massive military exercise as expert invokes 1973 war
Israel began a 48-hour military exercise on Sunday to practise responding to surprise attacks and infiltrations across its northern and central areas. The drills come amid heightened regional tensions, and an Israeli security analyst warned that military activity and mutual deterrence could lead to a dangerous miscalculation.
The exercise involves four divisions and the air force, and is intended to strengthen border defence and readiness ahead of Israel’s 27 October election. It follows an Iranian live-fire exercise involving about 30 ballistic missiles, heightened Israeli alert levels, and an 800-mile Israeli air mission towards Iran’s border on 19 October. The drills also draw on lessons from the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023.
In short
- Israel is holding a 48-hour exercise against surprise attacks and infiltrations.
- Four divisions and the air force are involved.
- The drills take place amid rising regional tensions and ahead of elections.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters can argue that practising responses to surprise attacks and infiltrations is a prudent duty, particularly after the failures exposed on 7 October 2023 and amid heightened regional military activity. A large exercise may improve coordination, border defence and readiness, helping deter attacks and protect civilians.
The case against
Critics can argue that a large exercise involving several divisions and the air force, conducted amid heightened tensions, risks being misread as preparation for an attack and could prompt escalation through miscalculation. They may also question the timing so close to an election, when military activity could heighten public anxiety or be seen as politically charged.
Explained simply
Israel’s military is made up of regional commands, divisions and the air force, which train together to respond to threats. Its northern borders meet Lebanon and Syria, while its central area includes parts of the country closer to the West Bank. The exercise is designed to practise responses to sudden attacks and infiltrations.
Israel and Iran are long-standing regional rivals, and their military activity has raised concerns about escalation. Israel is also drawing on the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks, when attackers breached the border from Gaza and killed and abducted people. The 1973 war, when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel, remains a reference point for the risks of being caught unprepared.
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