The Israeli Army kicked off on Monday large-scale multi-branch military exercises across the West Bank and Jordan Valley to boost readiness and simulate events similar to the Oct. 7, 2023 in the Gaza Strip.
The three-day “Lion's Roar” exercise involves forces of the army’s Central Command, as well as “special units,” the air force, the army Technology and Logistics Directorate and other military branches and security forces, according to an army spokesperson.
A military statement said drones and various weapons will be used during the drill, and “increased movement of security forces and aircraft will be felt in the area.”
The drill is taking place as part of the Operations Directorate’s training schedule, aimed at training and implementing operational plans with a multi-arena perspective. This exercise was preplanned as part of the Army’s annual training program for 2025, the army statement said.
Renewed calls for annexation
The exercises come while Israeli transportation Minister Miri Regev said her ministry is already enforcing “de facto sovereignty” over the occupied West Bank through a network of state-funded infrastructure projects, effectively implementing annexation on the ground.
Speaking on Israel’s Channel 12 News, Regev described road construction and transportation development in the territory as practical acts of sovereignty, reflecting a broader governmental strategy to integrate settlements into Israel’s national infrastructure grid.
Her statements appear to challenge the decision of US President Donald Trump, who said last month he will now allow Israel to annex the West Bank.
Israel plans to annex 82% of the West Bank to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The Oslo Accords have divided the West Bank into three areas: A, B, and C, each with a different level of Palestinian and Israeli control.
Area A (18% of the West Bank) is under full Palestinian Authority (PA) civil and security control.
Area B (21% of the West Bank) is under PA civilian control with Israeli security control while Area C (61% of the West Bank) is under full Israeli civil and military control.
Although Trump has said he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, Israel has pushed for large-scale settlement projects and has given settlers a free hand to control more areas of the West Bank.
According to Palestinian figures, there are 200 Israeli settlements, 243 settlement outposts and 129 farm outposts in the West Bank.
