Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari January 5th, 20:15

Shabbat Shalom. We continue to fight in all parts of the Gaza Strip, in the north, center and south, and for each area we adapt the most appropriate method of operation, both above and below ground.

Our goal is to constantly improve, to learn lessons from the fighting, extending our achievements and minimizing casualties to our forces. Operational investigation is one of the IDF's basic principles. Only a precise and truthful investigation will allow us to learn from our failures and prepare for future security challenges. This is the IDF’s genetic code.

2024 will be a year of combat and the lessons we have learned now will help us fight better on all fronts. This is similar to the investigation we conducted into the tragic incident of the accidental shooting of the hostages, Yotam Haim, Alon Shimriz and Samer Talalka, may their memory be a blessing.

The IDF is entirely focused on combat and has not yet started the investigation process. These days, the General Staff is formulating the process of planning the investigations and in doing so, choosing the leaders of the operational investigation. This is an internal operational investigation. There will be an investigation conducted within the chain of command, and alongside it, an investigation by former senior officials to externally reflect on the processes and decision-making. Once the process is concluded, it will be published to the public with full transparency, as we have done so far. I emphasize, the IDF's investigations are intended for the improvement of the military and do not replace any external inquiry or investigation.

In the north, IDF fighter jets struck in the areas of Ayta ash Shab and Majdal Zoun today, targeting Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure. Several rockets were fired into Israeli territory. The rockets were either intercepted or fell in open areas. We are in a very high state of readiness in the north, prepared in defense and offense.

Also on this Friday evening, IDF regular and reserve forces are deployed on every combat front, continuing the ongoing fighting for many weeks now – a fight that would not have been possible without the resilience and patience of you, the families at home. We could not have done it without you.