Division 96 has completed its formation and begun operating on the eastern border, after completing its first divisional exercise led by the National Ground Training Center, the IDF spokesperson announced. Central Command Commander Major General Avi Blot summarized the exercise: "Operation Like a Lion was an excellent opportunity for us to accelerate the division's formation. A definition of success is when opportunity meets capability. There was a great opportunity here, and it met the tremendous motivation of regular, career and reserve soldiers with very high capability. You understood the magnitude of the moment and the operational need, and you performed excellently."