Israeli armed forces began today large scale military exercises in the Negev and Sinai which Chief of Staff Gen. David Elazar said bluntly were intended in part to impress the enemy with Israel’s armed might. The exercises are simulating various tactics of defense and attack on the very terrain that a future battle with Egypt may be waged. According to military sources the stress is on coordinated action by infantry, armor and the Air Force. Weapons received during the last year or two are being employed, Gen. Elazar said.
According to the Chief of Staff, the exercises are designed to provide the answers to various operational problems the enemy might pose in the event of renewed hostilities. However, he said, it is important to note that “at a time when we are still threatened by war, this exercise is intended among other things to convey to the enemy the knowledge that their chances of gaining anything from war are next to nil.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.