Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 31st, 20:40

Good evening,

Our forces continue to operate in the northern part of the Gaza Strip in the Daraj Tuggah area, in the central Strip at the central camps, and in the southern Strip in Khan Yunis and in Khirbat Ikhza'a. We adapt our way of warfare and the forces required for each area in the Gaza Strip to carry out the mission in the best way, as each area has different characteristics and different operational needs.

Today, terrorists from the Nukhba forces were killed and subdued during the battles in Khan Yunis. Some of them, of course, participated in the attack, in the October 7th massacre. We are continuing to handle the underground tunnels and to strike the rocket launching array, in order to reduce rocket fire into the State of Israel.

Tonight, the year of 2024 begins. The objectives of the war require prolonged fighting, and we are preparing accordingly. We are wisely planning the management of the forces operating in the field, looking at the reserve system, the economy, refreshing forces, and continuing the combat training processes in the IDF.

We continue the training of all IDF officers and commanders. After the experience they gained in combat, they return to training and will join the ranks of IDF commanders upon completion.

We are also currently adapting the planning of the force deployment in Gaza and the reserve system. Some of the reservists will return to their families and employment this week. This will significantly ease the burden on the economy and allow them to gather strength for the upcoming activities in the next year, as the fighting will continue and they will still be required.

These adaptations are designed to ensure planning and preparation for the continuation of 2024, as the IDF must plan ahead, understanding that we will be required for additional tasks and warfare throughout this year.

During the fighting in Gaza, the IDF continues to operate in a combined manner from the air, land, and sea. Dozens of aircrafts are in the skies of Gaza at any given moment. The forces on the ground fight with a powerful aerial cover above them, which is striking, assisting, or rescuing. The communication channels, which have been operating 24 hours a day for the past eighty-seven days, show unprecedented cooperation on the battlefield. There has never been such cooperation in any war. This is the strength of the IDF, the strength of Israeli society, and its reservists – it's a national mission.

There is no case where a ground force did not receive fire support from the air when needed, or aerial rescue under fire. The lives of dozens of wounded were saved thanks to medical treatment and aerial rescue. Regarding the discussion on the rules of engagement, I want to say to the public - there is no change in the instructions for soldiers and commanders in Gaza. A soldier who identifies a threat under fire - is required to use the means at their disposal to remove the threat. Any other statement is simply incorrect.

Alongside this, we are adapting the IDF's General Staff's engagement policy. We impose it all the time, there are different challenges in different areas, there are areas with dense civilian populations, and we target the enemy, not the civilian population, minimizing harm to the civilians.

In the north, today we completed a wide strike on Hezbollah targets. IAF fighter jets struck military buildings used by Hezbollah in the village of Ramia.

Hezbollah has turned the southern villages in southern Lebanon into a combat zone. To Hezbollah, just like Hamas, the residents of southern Lebanon do not matter. They are a human shield for them. We will continue to strike in Lebanon, in southern Lebanon, wherever Hezbollah activates terror against us, they will encounter significant and powerful strikes.

Today, the academic year began. Many of the reservists are still at the front line. This is another opportunity to express our immense appreciation for the reservists – for your sacrifice and dedication, and that of your families.

We will do everything together, cooperating with the government ministries and educational institutions, to provide them with full support when they return from the war to their studies.