The Israel Defense Forces said on Monday that it will conduct an in-depth review of its surprise “Breaking Dawn 2.0” exercise, held on Sunday to test the military’s readiness for a sudden, large-scale multi-front scenario ahead of the upcoming High Holidays.
“The IDF will conduct an in-depth review of the lessons learned from the exercise, identifying vulnerabilities and noteworthy areas, with the aim of continuing to improve the IDF’s defensive capabilities and readiness for a range of scenarios,” the military said.
The unannounced nationwide readiness drill placed regional commands, directorates and branches on alert without advance notice and tested responses to ground, aerial and maritime infiltrations, projectile and shooting attacks, mass-casualty incidents and abductions. Standby and reserve forces, including battalions and special units, were also activated.
The exercise was conducted as part of the IDF Operations Directorate’s 2026 training schedule.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Sunday that “anyone who attempts to harm the State of Israel and its civilians will encounter a determined IDF that is prepared and ready, and will pay an immediate and very heavy price.”
His remarks were delivered during the drill at the Ground Training Center at Tze’elim in the Negev Desert, according to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
Visiting the training center, Zamir observed the readiness of the troops, as well as the activation of alert forces and reserves, decision-making processes and the operational response across all levels of command, the army said.
Speaking to the troops on the ground, the military chief stated, “Today’s exercise constitutes another step in implementing the lessons of [the Hamas-led invasion into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023], and examining the IDF’s readiness for a scenario involving a surprise war.
“We are assessing the readiness of the forces and demanding that they meet the highest standard at every level, from the soldier at a position or outpost, through the command-and-control centers and headquarters, to the General Staff; from the soldier in the field to the Chief of the General Staff,” Zamir continued, according to the IDF.
He said that the IDF is “changing, correcting and strengthening” its methods in order to be better prepared for every scenario.
“The IDF is fit, prepared and ready to defend the State of Israel, and is also prepared to take the initiative and strike anyone who attempts to harm us,” Zamir stressed.
Additional commanders present at the drill were head of the Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen; commander of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor; commander of the Ground Training Center Brig. Gen. Yaniv Barot; commander of the 98th Paratroopers Division Brig. Gen. Meni Liberty; commander of the Gaza Division Brig. Gen. Liron Batito; and additional commanders, the military said.
