Israeli media reported, on Sunday, that Israeli occupation forces recommended avoiding conducting "a military operation" in Gaza, yet Israeli media announced today the launch of 'Chariots of Fire' drill which is considered the largest military exercise in the history of the occupation.

The military correspondent for the Israeli Channel 13, Or Heller, said that "the Israeli army recommended, during a discussion session in the security and military establishment, not to launch a military operation in Gaza, but to increase arrests in the Palestinian areas (West Bank), change the "rules of engagement" [opening fire], and consider the border fence between Israel and the Palestinian territories as a borderline in every sense of the word."

Heller noted that the Israeli occupation forces "began today the largest maneuver in their history, Chariots of Fire, which simulates a multifront war," adding that "last year this maneuver was postponed due to Operation Guardian of the Walls [battle of Seif Al-Quds], and this year they hope to complete it as planned without being disrupted by a war."

It is worth mentioning that IOF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi postponed the large-scale "Chariots of Fire" exercise last June. The drill was supposed to take place in May and was decided to last for a full month. However, it was postponed due to the Seif Al-Quds battle.

Sources in the resistance revealed to Al Mayadeen correspondent that the resistance in the Gaza Strip raised its level of readiness, coinciding with the largest IOF exercises in the occupation's history that started today.