Sources in the Israel Defence Forces have described Hamas rocket tests as a “rehearsal” for a possible future confrontation with Israel. Hamas tested five short-range missiles on Sunday by firing them into the sea. According to an IDF spokesman, the army views the rocket tests with great concern.
The IDF also said that the military exercise carried out against the Gaza Strip on Sunday were the “biggest” since the end of its offensive last summer. The aim of the exercise was to “simulate the outbreak of a new confrontation with Palestinians in the enclave.”
A senior officer in Israel’s southern command was quoted as saying that the IDF manoeuvres covered all possible scenarios in which it might have to deal with any sudden outbreak of hostilities, including attacks from air, land and sea, or through new tunnels. The IDF is also said to have prepared for scenarios whereby Palestinian groups attack settlements adjacent to the border between Gaza and Israel. The army would be called at short notice to respond to such attacks before Palestinian gunmen can reach settlers’ homes.
It was pointed out by the IDF sources that army reservists were excluded from the exercise due to their poor performance during last summer’s offensive.