The Israel Defense Forces began a surprise nationwide readiness exercise early Sunday, bringing senior commanders and standby forces into a test of the military’s ability to respond quickly to a sudden war on several fronts.
The General Staff drill, called “Breaking Dawn 2.0,” was ordered by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ahead of the High Holidays. It focused on decision-making at military headquarters, the activation of forces and the implementation of current operational plans across Israel’s various commands.
Senior officers from regional commands, branches and directorates were called in as part of the exercise. Reserve preparedness was also reviewed, while Zamir monitored the drill from the IDF’s underground command center and from field positions.
The army said Israelis may see heightened movement of security forces and aircraft during the exercise, stressing that the activity does not reflect an ongoing security incident.
The drill is part of the Operations Directorate’s training schedule and incorporates lessons from Israel’s fighting on multiple fronts since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. IDF Comptroller personnel, including reservists, are inspecting units and headquarters to assess their readiness and adherence to procedures.
Earlier this week, Zamir said Israel’s security doctrine had changed fundamentally after Oct. 7. He said the military could no longer rely on containing threats and must instead act to eliminate them before they develop.
Zamir also argued that the IDF needs additional manpower and advanced capabilities to meet its expanding responsibilities, while emphasizing the obligation to support soldiers, reservists, wounded troops and bereaved families.
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