Israel Launches Major Military Exercise Simulating Surprise Attack

A large-scale security exercise, codenamed "Kedmat Homah," commenced Monday in the city of Eilat, the Arava region, and along Israel's eastern border. The drill involves the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Police, Magen David Adom (MDA), and other security and rescue organizations. It is designed to simulate a broad surprise attack and infiltration into Israeli territory from the air, sea, and land.

The exercise is led by the IDF's 80th Division. Concurrently, the Southern District of the Israel Police is conducting its own drill, "Ruach Daromit," led by District Commander Superintendent Chaim Boblil and involving officers from the Eilat region under the command of Superintendent Alon Kalfon.

Forces will practice responding to developing security events across multiple fronts, defending Eilat and Arava communities, controlling traffic routes, maintaining public order, and transitioning rapidly from routine to emergency status. Air Force and Navy units, along with volunteer emergency response teams, are also participating.

The exercise is being held as part of lessons learned from the Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023, and the subsequent fighting. Its objective is to assess forces' readiness for escalation and improve coordination and cooperation among all responding bodies in the area.

Increased activity of security forces, operational vehicles, aircraft, and naval vessels will be noticeable throughout Eilat, the Arava, and along the eastern border during the day. The IDF and Police emphasized that the exercise was planned in advance as part of the 2026 training program and that there is no concern of an actual security incident.