Israeli media: IOF conducts drills in Cyprus simulating Hezbollah war

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
30 Jul 2022 16:46
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Israeli media discusses a military maneuver being conducted by the IOF Paratroopers Brigade in Cyprus to train in combat and to learn how to confront Hezbollah fighters in Lebanese villages.

IOF paratroopers brigade conducts anti-Hezbollah training in Cyprus

Israeli media reported that the Paratroopers Brigade conducted training exercises in Cyprus to fight against Hezbollah.

The Israeli Walla! website said that the Paratroopers Brigade conducted exercises in a village in Cyprus, in an attempt to learn how to confront Hezbollah fighters in the Lebanese villages. The goal, as mentioned on the website, is to "get Hezbollah fighters out of their hideouts and force them to fight head-on."

This is not the first time that the IOF has trained in Cyprus. In May, as part of the "Chariots of Fire" drills, the IOF commando brigade went to Cyprus to train on possible Lebanese invasion tactics in light of future confrontation with Hezbollah. The IOF chose Cyprus given the similarity of the two countries’ terrain, according to the website.

Walla! also noted that "the mission requires physical effort, but it is also a battle of minds," adding that "in the background, the threats from Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah aimed at preventing Israel from pumping gas into the Karish platform resonate."

Furthermore, Israeli media reported, a few days ago, that the Israeli occupation had strengthened its forces protecting the Karish field platform, against the backdrop of threats.

Israeli occupation Reserve Major General Amos Gilad called on "Tel Aviv" to take Sayyed Nasrallah's threats made against the Israeli occupation on Monday seriously.

"Nasrallah's threats must be taken seriously, and [the Israeli occupation forces] must prepare," Gilad told Israeli public broadcaster KAN. "If they attack the Karish rig or any other rig, that will definitely lead to a confrontation that can have many dimensions," He added.

Sayyed Hassan: If the situation heads to war, the #Lebanese people should put their trust in the resistance that will be able to impose #Lebanon's will on the Israeli enemy. #حوار_الأربعين https://t.co/wQxnXfiHUR
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 25, 2022

Moreover, Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out, in the "Arbaeen Dialogue", the issue is not about Karish and Qana, Sayyed Nasrallah said. "It is about all of the oil and gas fields looted by 'Israel' in Palestine's waters in exchange for Lebanon's rights."

#Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan #Nasrallah commenting on the Karish equation: The #US distracted #Lebanon with the maritime border negotiations while "Israel" explored for gas and is preparing to extract it.#حوار_الأربعين https://t.co/4m4Mk7EYkL
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 25, 2022

Sayyed Nasrallah said that "The point of launching the drones was to send a message that we are serious and will escalate our actions gradually, and this message was understood by the Americans and the Israelis," adding that "When things reach a dead-end, we will not only stand in the face of Karish... Mark these words: we will reach Karish, beyond Karish, and beyond, beyond Karish."

Nasrallah also clarified that "The Lebanese state made a major concession through what it asked for from the US mediator when it mentioned line 23+," he highlighted. "Right now, the ball is not in Lebanon's court, as it is prohibited from extracting oil and gas in the non-disputed area."