Israel forms new 'mountain' brigade on border with Lebanon and Syria
The Israeli army has announced the formation of a new regional brigade on Israel’s border with Syria and Lebanon.
The “HeHarim,” or Mountains Brigade, will be tasked with the Mount Hermon and the occupied Shebaa Farms regions, under the 210th “Bashan” Division, replacing the existing 810th “Hermon” Regional Brigade.
The Israeli army said the new brigade is formed “as part of the operational response to the situation on the northern border and in accordance with the situational assessment.”
“The brigade will specialize in combat in difficult terrain and warfare in mountainous areas,” the Israeli army said.
It added that the brigade will begin its activity in the coming weeks and that Col. Liron Appleman will be appointed as its first commander.
Since the war in Gaza erupted in October, there have been near-daily exchanges along the Lebanon-Israel border between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. At least 322 people have been killed in Lebanon, mainly Hezbollah fighters but also 56 civilians. In Israel, at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed in the cross-border exchanges, the military says.
The fighting has also displaced tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border and Israel has repeatedly warned that it might launch an operation against Hezbollah to secure its residents' return.
Source: Naharnet
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