IDF conducts large drill in Judea and Samaria

The IDF conducted a massive exercise in Judea and Samaria, operating on estimates that Palestinian terrorism will increase ahead of the Passover holiday.

The IDF last week conducted its largest exercise in five years in Judea and Samaria, operating on estimates that Palestinian terrorism will increase ahead of the Passover holiday.

The four-day drill consisted of simulating scenarios and emergency situations such as, infiltrations into Israel communities, abductions of Israeli citizens, bombings, vehicular or shooting attacks, and large riots, The Jerusalem Post reported.

An assessment of army preparedness was given to IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and Head of the Central Command Maj.-Gen. Roni Numa.

This week marked the 15^th anniversary of the devastating suicide bombing during the Passover seder at the Park Hotel in Netanya that killed 29 people and injured 64.

The attack provoked Operation Defensive Shield, in which the IDF uprooted the Palestinian terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria.

Late last month, the head the Shin Bet (Israel’s Security Agency) warned Palestinian terror groups will escalate attacks ahead of the holiday season.

Addressing the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Shin Bet director Nadav Argaman said, “there is no doubt” terrorism networks, including those commanded by Hamas, will attempt to attack ahead of the spring holiday season.

Passover and Israel’s national holidays, including Independence Day, are among the upcoming holidays.

Israeli security forces have already bolstered their presence at potential flashpoints.

By: World Israel News Staff