Israeli military references Game of Thrones with 'winter is coming' tweet

A photo of soldiers on patrol was tagged with the phrase "winter is coming" by the Israeli Defence Forces

(AFP/Getty Images)

The Israeli military has referenced Game of Thrones while championing its defence exercises.

A photo showing soldiers walking through trenches above the cloud line was captioned: “Through the trenches, our soldiers guard the #snowy mountains of northern #Israel. #WinterIsComing”

The image is believed to have been taken on a patrol near Israel’s border with Lebanon or Syria.

“Winter is coming” is the motto of house of Stark, one of the battling clans in Games of Thrones’ fantasy world of Westeros.

Author George RR Martin revealed his inspiration for the famous line earlier this week, describing walking through "trenches of ice" in Chicago.

The phrase has become synonymous with the bestselling book and television show, which will start its sixth series next year.

The Israeli Defence Forces’ tweet came amid heightened security in Israel and the West Bank following a wave of stabbing attacks and deadly clashes between troops and protesters.

Twelve Israelis have been killed by Palestinians and at least 76 Palestinians have been shot dead by Israeli security forces, including 44 people police said were carrying out or attempting attacks, since the start of October.