"Philistine Horseman": IDF prepares for possible Hamas infiltration from Gaza

The IDF conducted an exercise today (Wednesday) preparing for the possibility of another mass invasion from the Gaza Strip, known as the "Philistine Horseman" order, according to i24 military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua.

With the increasing tension and uncertainty about the continuation of the hostage deal and the possibility of a renewal of the war, the IDF has been placed on alert, with local forces having their leave cancelled and additional forces heading to the area.

The IDF also conducted an exercise preparing for a possible attempt at a mass breakout attack from the northern Gaza Strip against towns along the Gaza perimeter, a scenario known as a "Philistine Horseman" in IDF parlance.

The exercise was conducted by the 162nd Division, located along a perimeter inside the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The entire division practiced all the possible scenarios and problems, including issues of coordination with the Air Force, which was reportedly an issue on October 7 itself.

Although there are substantially more forces on the alert than there were on October 7, the intelligence pointing to a possible attack and the realization that the IDF could still find itself unprepared has led to exercises and other steps to successfully repel an attack.

While it is preparing for a possible renewal of the war due to a breakdown of the ceasefire and the hostage deal, the IDF is still operating under the presumption that the deal will proceed as normal on Saturday, though plans are being drawn up for further war if this does not happen and hostilities once again break out.

The IDF is expected to operate in a very different manner if the war renews due to far more robust American backing and arms and due to a new, incoming Chief of Staff with a likely different approach to warfare.