IDF launches ‘Operation Breaking Dawn 2.0’ amid heightened threats from Iran

The IDF on Sunday launched “Operation Breaking Dawn 2.0,” a surprise drill designed to test the military’s ability to respond to an unexpected, large-scale, multi-front attack amid growing concerns about potential Iranian-backed aggression against Israel.

The exercise came a day after media reports emerged of plans allegedly uncovered by Israeli intelligence for an Iranian-led attack on Israel from several directions simultaneously, coordinated with the remnants of Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen and IRGC-backed Shi’ite militias in Iraq.

Personally supervised by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the drill is “intended to assess the IDF’s level of readiness and preparedness for a range of unexpected operational scenarios, the activation of standby forces and reserves, decision-making processes, and the operational response at all levels-from the regional commands, branches and directorates, to the General Staff in preparation and strengthening the defense for the upcoming holiday season,” according to the IDF spokesperson’s office.

Israeli intelligence assessments indicate that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) remains determined to continue its “jihad” against Israel despite the costs of the conflict.

According to those assessments, Iran is working to rebuild the remnants of Hamas, Hezbollah and other regional terror proxies with the aim of enabling a coordinated, simultaneous, Oct. 7-style assault on Israel, potentially as early as the upcoming Fall High Holy Days.

Reports of the alleged plot have also appeared recently in Arab-language media outlets, echoing IDF assessments that Hamas and Hezbollah are increasing their coordination efforts despite the extensive damage and casualties both organizations have suffered in fighting with Israel over the past three years.

Against this backdrop, Operation Breaking Dawn 2.0 is one of several snap drills and emergency action plans scheduled to be held by the IDF, as well as civilian civil defense and disaster response teams, over the coming weeks.

The exercises are intended to test military readiness, strengthen coordination between the IDF and civilian agencies, and prepare Israel for a potential escalation. They also serve a dual purpose of reassuring the Israeli public and sending a deterrent message to Israel’s enemies.

Hanan Gefen, a former commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ Unit 8200 signals intelligence unit, told JNS that for several days after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, there was still no unified response at the national level. Most of the organized resistance to the Hamas onslaught actually came from isolated pockets of local security teams and IDF units which were mobilized and deployed in an ad hoc fashion.

“Even today, we cannot appreciate or understand the full extent of these local initiatives. This is the major lesson learned,” he said, adding that drills like Dawn 2.0 are meant to incorporate lessons learned from Oct. 7 and to send a deterrent message to Israel’s enemies.

“These messages hit very hard,” he said. “The main overall message, though, is that Israel is acting thoroughly and regrouping.”

This was also emphasized by Nitzan Nuriel, former director of the Counter-Terrorism Bureau in the Prime Minister’s Office, who told JNS that “It’s not only about us, it’s about our neighbors. In every exercise we publish, there are messages to our allies and enemies.”

He added that Israel’s allies should know that the IDF has achieved significant victories in the past three years and is continuing to train and prepare for the battles ahead, and they can count on the Jewish State to continue doing its part in the global struggle against terrorism.

“To our enemies, the message is: Yes, we have been fighting for three years, but we know what we are fighting for. We are not tired, and we feel capable of taking care of our security if needed,” he said. “I believe that the Syrian regime may be eyeing more options in case talks between us do not move forward. Hezbollah and many other players, even Turkey, need to receive those messages from us.”