Israel begins major drill, preparing for regional war

[joeblow]

Israel begins major drill, preparing for regional war
Sun, 31 May 2009 08:10:10 GMT


Israeli soldiers

Israel has launched its largest-ever military exercise to test its capabilities against potential missile attacks, bombings and riots.

Over the past few months, Israel has been busy making plans for fresh confrontation in the Middle East. The drill is widely believed to be in line with the regime's preparation for a possible attack on Iran's nuclear facilities which they admit can ignite an all-out war in the region.

The five-day exercise which was launched on Sunday will simulate simultaneous rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and missile attacks from Iran and Syria.

"We will be exercising the doomsday scenario of simultaneous strikes against Israel on all fronts and by different means," Israel's defense ministry spokesman Shlomo Dror told AFP last week.

Exercise Turning Point 3 will also include simulating chemical and biological strikes on populated centers and a wave of attacks by Palestinians.

Israeli cabinet will also hold simulated meetings to weigh its response to such scenarios.

This is the third consecutive year Israel is conducting such an exercise.Tel Aviv says the war games are defensive in nature.

Lebanese Army however has heightened its security measures along the southern border with Israel to repel possible threats during the Israeli drill.

Israel's speedy military build up can also be part of efforts to avenge its decisive defeat in the 2006 war on Lebanon.

Israel fought a 33-day war against Hezbollah in the summer of 2006 to destroy the military power of the Lebanese resistance. According to the Winograd report, the attack backfired to wreak a humiliating defeat on Israel.

In the face of the overwhelming Israeli threats, the Hezbollah resistance movement has reportedly doubled its military might by preparing a joint training program with Lebanese Army forces.

In addition to the military patrols, Hezbollah forces, according to Al Manar, will be on guard "to respond to any possible aggression".

MGH/SBB/DT

[mastermg]

As crazy as this sounds, I kind of want Israel to attack. When the Arab countries see missles flying on top of them, maybe they'll finally wake up and kick Israel's ass.