IDF completes surprise West Bank exercise

The Israel Defense Forces completes a surprise exercise in the West Bank simulating a kidnapping and subsequent outbreak of violence throughout the region, a scenario similar to that which preceded the 2014 Gaza war.

Troops from four West Bank regional brigades, the Air Force, Military Intelligence, Teleprocessing Corps, Shin Bet security service and Israel Police took part in the three-day drill, the military says.

“The forces practiced a scenario of [violence] escalating following a kidnapping incident, of making an effort to locate and free the captives, making use of General Staff resources, and examining inter-agency work methods,” the IDF says in a statement.

During the exercise, the IDF carried out a series of arrest raids around the city of Hebron, detaining dozens of Hamas members. The exercise is the fourth such surprise drill conducted by IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi.

— Judah Ari Gross

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.