Israel’s Security Cabinet convened on Sunday at the Israeli military’s headquarters in Tel Aviv to simulate political decision-making during a multi-front war.
The session, chaired by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is part of the IDF’s “Firm Hand” exercise, which launched on May 29 and will run for two weeks.
The Security Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, convened this evening, in the framework of the 'Firm Hand' military exercise, at the IDF command center at the Kirya in Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/D3LhOfSwZ6
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 4, 2023
The exercise is intended to review Israel’s ability to wage a multi-front war.
“This requires us to evaluate, if it is possible to do so in advance, many of the main decisions that the Security Cabinet and the government would need to make together with the security establishment, the IDF and other security elements,” said Netanyahu.
“This is the goal of the exercise. We are certain that we can deal with every threat by ourselves, and also by other means,” he said.
“Firm Hand” aims to test the readiness of the IDF to operate under various multi-front scenarios, with an emphasis on the northern front and the restive borders with Lebanon and Syria and expanding to include direct hostilities with Iran.
As the United States restarts direct talks with Tehran over its nuclear program and following the latest International Atomic Energy Agency reports that the nuclear watchdog has closed investigations into two nuclear sites, Netanyahu emphasized on Sunday that Israel is “committed to acting against the Iranian nuclear program.”
The exercise has gained the attention of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for the Middle East.
On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hosted CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Kurilla at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, briefing him on the exercise.
