An Israeli naval exercise began yesterday in northern Israel, specifically in the Port of Haifa. According to the IDF spokesperson’s unit, “Ten foreign fleets (are taking) part,” in what it defined as an “international exercise.”
The exercise aims to simulate a humanitarian response to a powerful earthquake,” during which “significant movement of helicopters, IDF vessels and foreign vessels will be noticeable” off of Israel’s Mediterranean coast. The exercise is set to conclude on Thursday.
The IDF emphasized, in its statement, that “the exercise was planned in advance as part of the 2019 training plan in order to maintain the forces’ readiness;” while an Israeli military source rejected any connection to the latest developments pertaining to Iran’s aggressive behavior in the Persian gulf at large, and the Strait of Hormuz in particular.