Hezbollah drafted in extra-reservists to the southern border Sunday after the Israeli Army launched a large-scale military exercise simulating war with the group, a Lebanese security source told The Daily Star.
Hezbollah reportedly made the move as a precaution that the Israeli maneuver was not a ploy to launch a limited attack on Hezbollah targets over the border, according to the source.
Israel has itself been bracing for attack for 95 days now, ever since a Hezbollah fighter was killed in an airstrike on Damascus International Airport that was widely attributed to Israel.
Hezbollah's leader, Hasan Nasrallah, declared in late August that his group would soon kill an Israeli soldier in order to balance the “equation of deterrence.”
The multifront drill Sunday, dubbed “Lethal Arrow,” will see the participation of thousands of Israeli troops from various branches of the military including the Ground Forces, the Air Force, and Navy.
"The aim of the exercise is to improve the IDF’s offensive capabilities in an integrated way at all levels while implementing the Victory concept and generating new protocols between key headquarters,” the Israeli Army said in a statement.
Despite being the largest Israeli military drill of the year, it has been significantly scaled back as a result of coronavirus restrictions – a large number of reservists not being called up to take part in the drill as a result.
“The exercise has been adjusted to follow special health instructions and it is being held under the strict adherence to the instructions to ensure the health of the participants,” the Israeli Army said Sunday.
Israeli jets were spotted flying at low altitudes Sunday over much of Lebanon, including Hasbaya, Arqoub, Jabal al-Sheikh, Marjayoun, Kesrouan, and Metn.
MK-type reconnaissance drones reportedly also flew heavily over the city of Jezzine, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
