Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 29th, 20:45

Shabbat Shalom,

In recent days, we have been exposed to more and more heartbreaking testimonies of hostages who returned home. Our hearts go out to them, and we want to embrace them and hug the hostages still held in Gaza. On this Shabbat evening, I want to address you, the hostages in Gaza – we think of you all the time, and we constantly remember our moral obligation to bring you all home.

Recently, we have witnessed an increase in fake rumors and misinformation on social media regarding the situation of the hostages. Every hostage has families, friends, and loved ones who are deeply concerned for them. The spread of rumors and unconfirmed facts harms them and us. Please do not pass on unreliable information and avoid adding to the infinite pain of the families of the hostages.

Inside the Gaza Strip, we continue to exert all military pressure on Hamas. In the southern Gaza Strip- in Khan Yunis, in central Gaza Strip- in central camps, in the northern Gaza Strip- in Daraj Tuffach. We also operate in areas close to the borders and to the communities near the Gaza Strip. We are currently operating in Khirbat Ikhza’a, from which the attacks on Nir Oz Kibbutz were launched. We will operate and continue to operate determinedly in this area.

On the northern border, in the past two days, we completed a series of extensive operations using fighter jets, tanks, and artillery on Hezbollah targets – these targets were attacked throughout Lebanon, including launching sites, military compounds, and terrorist infrastructure. In addition, we attacked terrorist cells and eliminated terrorists, both in the field, in the command centers, and in the area of Ayta ash Shab and Ramiya in the south, from where fire was directed towards northern communities. We continue to attack and harm Hezbollah's deployment near the northern border. It no longer looks as it did on October 6th, and it will not return to what it was. Southern Lebanon will not be what it was.

We operate firmly against every threat and will not allow a return to reality before October 7th. We will ensure security and a sense of security before allowing citizens to return to the northern and southern borders.

In Judea and Samaria, a terrorist carried out a car-ramming attack today near a military post at the Adorayim junction. IDF soldiers neutralized the terrorist. One soldier was severely injured, and four other soldiers were lightly to moderately injured. They were evacuated for medical treatment at the hospital, and their families were informed.

Also, this Sabbath, tens of thousands of IDF soldiers from all its branches, including reserve duty, will eat Shabbat dinner together – this is the military of the people. They will eat it together along all the borders and within the Gaza Strip. I want to embrace their families at home and express great appreciation to all of you for your standing in the face of all the difficulties, and there are many of them in the homefront.

Shabbat Shalom to everyone.