In future conflict, IDF might well find itself attacking Hezbollah in southern Lebanese villages, or Hamas in crowded streets of Gaza.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN                 10/10/2013 23:22

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The commanders of the Kfir infantry brigade recently took part in an urban  warfare drill as part of the army’s combat readiness programs for all potential  future battle arenas, the IDF Spokesman’s Office announced Thursday.

Last  week’s exercise, involving all commanders from the platoon commander upwards,  took place on Mount Adar, in the Judean Hills. It involved drills for  house-to-house fighting, taking over buildings and cooperating with the Oken K-9  unit in urban warfare.

IDF soldiers in urban warfare exercise  Photo: IDF Spokesman’s Office

In a future conflict, the IDF might well find  itself attacking Hezbollah in southern Lebanese villages, or Hamas in the  crowded streets of Gaza.

The IDF organized the drill “based on the  understanding that the next war will be in a built-up area,” Col. Asher Ben  Lulu, commander of the Kfir Brigade, said.

“The Kfir Brigade specializes  in urban combat, and we must be prepared for this type of fighting in any area,”  he added.

Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon, head of the IDF Central Command, who  inspected the special training, said that it represents the infantry’s ability  to “live in two worlds: continuous security [patrols and counter-terrorism] and  operational [a transition into all-out combat].”

Alon added that all  commanders operating in the West Bank should prepare themselves for the  eventuality of an escalation in violence.