Listen closely to the leading figures of the IDF, and it sounds as if war may be looming on the horizon. "For us, this is the last exercise before war. It is our point of reference for current developments and especially for the Gaza Strip," Paratrooper Brigade Cmdr. Col. Amir Baram told Israel Hayom this week. The paratroopers are currently conducting large-scale exercises including a brigade level paradrop with over 1,000 soldiers. Baram made the statement during a commanders' exercise at the paratroopers' training base, Shfifon. Baram's words came after Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz made a similar statement, declaring his refusal to rule out an operation in the Gaza Strip following the recent increase of violence in the region. "Commanders always say that every exercise is the last one before war, but this time we have a strong feeling that given the developments in the area, it's not just words this time." Baram said the scale of the possible operation in the Gaza Strip would differ from that of Operation Cast Lead in 2009. "The operation will not be Operation Cast Lead II," he said. "It will either be smaller or a lot bigger. We have improved since then, but our enemy has also learned from their mistakes and we cannot underestimate them. They disappointed us in Cast Lead I when they fled, but we are counting on them to stay [and fight] this time around," Baram said. The atmosphere in the brigade is that a large operation is closer than ever. "Two months before Operation Cast Lead we performed an exercise just like this. We expect stronger resistance this time," Paratrooper Reconnaissance Company Cmdr. Maj. Elad Shushan said. The paratroopers are also ensuring that they are prepared for any potential abduction attempts during an incursion into the Gaza Strip. "Our protocols are that an IDF soldier must do everything they can to not be abducted, but if they are, there is no waiting around. We immediately rush [toward them]," Paratrooper Training Base Cmdr.Lt. Col. Guy Berger said. The brigade commander also highlighted the severity of a possible abduction. "The abduction of a soldier is a declaration of war. Israel will not be able to stand idly by," Baram said. He also hinted at the deal brokered with Hamas in exchange for abducted soldier Gilad Shalit, who was returned to Israel in October after more than five years in Hamas captivity. "There will be another abduction," Baram said. "If we released 1,027 prisoners for one soldier, we are in fact saying that abductions are a logical things to do and we legitimize the other side's attempts to perpetrate them. If we release so many terrorists for every one of our prisoners, it is no surprise that it continues to happen." "The real question is not whether there will be an abduction, but what Israel's response will be. Israel needs to respond disproportionately, unlike 2006 [during the Second Lebanon War, when some criticized Israel's response as too controlled and seemingly without a clear goal.] It must be planned. We need to prevent abductions, and if one does occur then we need to put the story to bed in hours, days," Baram said. As part of the current round of exercises, the Paratroopers' Brigade is planning on conducting its first brigade level paradrop, with more than 1,000 soldiers parachuting simultaneously, the first event of this scale since the 1956 Sinai War.
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