A commander in Israel’s Golani Brigade stressed that a land invasion is inevitable in any possible future war on Lebanon or another country.
Meir Ohayon He made his remarks as Israel launched a massive military drill.
Ohayon said the forces kicked off training five weeks ago and joined the new exercises, called “Firm Hand”, to prepare for the war. “The threats facing Israel made it believe that the battle won’t be decided except by land invasions.”
The army had said 20 units and hundreds of soldiers were involved in the drill. One training had them march for five days, covering 50-60 kilometers and carrying heavy gear.
The official said the political leadership decides the scale of the combat operations, but the army’s tactical calculations confirmed that there can be no avoiding a land invasion if it wanted to decide the war in its favor, whether the conflict will erupt on the Lebanese, Syrian or Gaza fronts.
The exercise would be concluded on Sunday.
US CENTCOM Commander Michael Kurilla had taken part in the first three days of the exercise. He visited Unit 504, the HUMINT (human intelligence) unit of the Israeli army’s Intelligence Directorate.
Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi led an operational panel during which the commanders discussed cooperation between the military and the US Armed Forces and the strengthening of joint operational capabilities.
“Firm Hand” simulates a multi-front conflict in the air, at sea, on land, and cyber warfare. The exercise tests the army’s ability to prepare for a prolonged campaign on multiple fronts.
