Security sources in Tel Aviv said on Sunday that exercises carried out by the Israeli army in the West Bank will simulate several scenarios, including “confronting massive chaos in the wake of the sudden absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,” and the subsequent conflicts between his competing successors.
The sources said that the two-day maneuvers, which kicked off on Monday, come amid Israeli concern over internal Palestinian conflicts that some parties may exploit to involve Israel and carry out major operations against the army, or against Israeli settlements.
The army spokesman had announced that the military maneuvers would include an active movement of security forces and vehicles, adding that explosions would be heard in the area, while additional checkpoints would be deployed in several locations.
“The exercises aim to improve the readiness of the Israeli forces in the West Bank region, and to train them on a variety of possible scenarios, including surprise situations,” he said.
Israel has a busy schedule of exercises.
Last week, a month-long drill kicked off, with the participation of all emergency units, with the aim to confront a major comprehensive war on the southern borders with Gaza and the northern borders with Lebanon.
