From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 23, 2024
‘How did this happen?’: IDF spokesman vows military will answer questions raised by Nahal Oz abduction video
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari vows that the military will provide answers to questions raised following the publication of a video showing the abduction of five female soldiers from the Nahal Oz base by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.
“Daniella, Karina, Liri, Agam and Naama, it is impossible to stand here tonight without commenting on the video that all of Israel and the world saw,” he says, opening a press conference.
“We failed to protect you and your friends, soldiers and many civilians,” Hagari says. “We are responsible and obligated to bring you home.”
“I know that the video raises tough and sharp questions, including how did something like this happen,” he says.
“We in the IDF have the responsibility to provide in-depth answers to these questions first to the families and then to the public,” Hagari says.
“On October 7, the IDF failed to defend. Now we have the responsibility to investigate in-depth and correct,” he continues.
He says the meaning of “correcting” the IDF’s mistakes is to “ensure that another October 7 won’t be carried out on any of our borders.”
