IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz on Wednesday showed up for a surprise inspection in the Binyamin Brigade as part of preparations for expected riots in September as the Palestinians plan to take their statehood bid to the UN. Heavy traffic was felt along Route 443.
The drill involved all troops deployed in the Binyamin sector and was aimed at testing their readiness ahead of September. The area, stretching from Maccabim to Jerusalem and the Ramallah vicinity towns, may be the center of the main protests next month.
Dozens of reserve officers who took part in the drill tested the brigade's competence and readiness on various levels, including preparedness for emergency and attention to individuals.
- They held talks with the soldiers, examined personnel files and checked the state of ammunition.
Last week it was revealed that an internal Israeli parliamentary report showed that Israel doesn't anticipate violence in September, but it proposed reserve soldiers be called up just in case.
It was estimated that Palestinians believe violence would be counterproductive and will stage peaceful demonstrations instead.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report