The Israel Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday launched a nationwide training exercise aimed at maintaining the military's combat readiness.

The army said increased activity of aircraft and security vehicles was expected throughout the country. A military spokeswoman said that the drill was planned months in advance and was not tied to current security threats.

"The drill is part of an annual training schedule and designed to preserve the forces' alertness," she told Xinhua.

However, the exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions along Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, with rockets intermittently fired into southern Israel and the IAF striking militant targets in the Hamas-ruled coastal territory in response. Endi

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