From the Liveblog of
Saturday, December 16, 2023
IDF spokesman says there was no intel about hostages who escaped or were abandoned
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the military will continue to investigate the killing of three Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip yesterday.
“The fighting is complex, with unprecedented characteristics that we have never faced before,” he says.
Responding to a question, Hagari says the IDF had no intelligence on hostages who managed to escape Hamas captivity or were abandoned by the terrorists who were holding them.
Commenting on US Navy forces downing 14 Houthi drones in the Red Sea, launched from Yemen at Israel, Hagari says it is “a reminder of our cooperation with our allies.”
He says the head of the US Central Command, Gen. Michael Kurilla, visited Israel over the weekend to hold an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
Hagari says the generals discussed “the defense challenges in the area, and threats in the areas,” including the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
