A previous IDF drill in northern Israel. Photo: IDF.

JNS.org – The Israeli military on Tuesday commenced its largest military drill in two decades.

The exercise, involving tens of thousands of soldiers from all branches of the IDF, including reserve forces, lasts for 10 days and is overseen by the IDF’s Northern Command.

The drill began at dawn on Tuesday and concludes Sept. 14, the IDF said. The drill — dubbed “the Light of the Grain” — involves ground, naval, air, intelligence and cyber units.

The exercise in northern Israel was announced amid escalating tensions with Iran over its increasing military presence in Syria, near the Jewish state’s border. The drill simulates a scenario involving a rapid escalation with the Iranian terror proxy Hezbollah that progresses into a full-blown war, necessitating the IDF to defend Israel on all fronts.

Although the drill involves simulations with troops dressed as Hezbollah terrorists, the IDF stated the exercise was planned far in advance, and was not connected current Iranian or Hezbollah activities in Syria.

Hezbollah is currently considered one of the primary threats facing Israel, as its leaders have routinely boasted about the terror group’s vast arsenal of 100,000-150,000 rockets and their ability to strike deep into Israel in any future conflict.