The training operation, led by the IDF’s 91st Division and the National Ground Training Center, was the largest conducted since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War.
The IDF completed an intensive five-day training intended to prepare for “extreme defense scenarios” along the northern border with Lebanon on Thursday, according to the IDF.
The training operation, led by the IDF’s 91st Division and the National Ground Training Center, was the largest and most comprehensive conducted since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War over two years ago.
According to the IDF’s spokesperson’s unit, the focus of the training operation was to “ensure a rapid response to emerging incidents– including mobilization of reserve troops and force buildup- and transition to offensive operations,” incorporating lessons learned over the past two years of multi-frontal war.
The IAF, Israeli Navy, Israeli Fire and Rescue Services, Magen David Adom, and Israeli Police collaborated with the IDF on the exercises in multiple locations.
An IDF press release elaborated that “logistics, medical, and technology and maintenance units trained in scenarios involving the evacuation of injured troops under fire and providing logistical, maintenance, and technological support in emergencies.”
The IDF’s exercise to enhance operational readiness along the Lebanon border, October 23, 2025 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)
Maariv reported on Thursday that the training simulated a potential “October 7-like” attack from Lebanon and included practicing combating attempted takeovers of northern Israeli communities and IDF facilities along the border.
Troops also trained to thwart attempts at kidnapping and smuggling hostages from Israeli territory into Lebanon. According to Maariv, IDF officials said that Hamas’s October 7 surprise attack forced a dramatic change in approach to securing the northern sector.
Hezbollah threats along the northern border
The exercises follow mounting concerns regarding the disarmament of the Lebanese terrorist organization, Hezbollah, despite Lebanese military attempts to confiscate arms from the extremist group.
In recent days, the IDF has carried out multiple strikes against Hezbollah targets, including Hezbollah training camps and missile manufacturing sites.
On Friday, the IDF released an announcement that they had killed Hezbollah’s Southern Front logistics commander, Abbas Hassan Karky. This followed a Wednesday strike on southern Lebanon that killed Hezbollah Radwan Force platoon commander Issa Ahmad Karbala.
Avi Ashkenazi contributed to this report.
