Israel launches large-scale military exercise

By Esat Firat

JERUSALEM

The Israel Defense Forces launched a large-scale military drill Sunday evening, which will continue seven days throughout the country, in order to prepare for a "possible major war", according to the local media report.

The local media reported citing a military statement that the nationwide exercise launched with siren sounds.

The Jewish settlements near the Gaza Strip were not involved in the exercise, the report said.

On March 4, the Israeli army launched another joint drill with the U.S. military against a "possible attack" that could come from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. That exercise is scheduled to continue until mid-March.

The U.S. and Israeli armies have been conducting joint military exercises since 2001.

In February, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a statement that Israel would use all of its power and mobilize the land forces to enter Lebanon if the Lebanese-based Hezbollah movement launched a war.

Following the statement, the Lebanese Supreme Defense Council held a high-profile meeting on the "Security of Lebanon" at the Baabda Presidential Palace in the capital Beirut and ordered the military to prepare to confront any possible attack from Israel.