Day 91 - Why is the IDF investigating Oct. 7 failures now?

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for an in-depth one-on-one episode.

The IDF announced last night that it had initiated a committee to look into the IDF’s failures leading up to October 7. What do we know about its purview and who is on it?

Three Israelis declared missing since October 7 were confirmed by the IDF to be held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hanan Yablonka, 42, Idan Shtivi, 28, and Ilan Weiss, 56. What else do we know about them? Relatedly, the IDF notified the family of hostage Sahar Baruch on Wednesday that he was killed during a failed attempt to rescue him from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip last month.

Since the ground operation began in late October, of the 175 fallen soldiers, 29 were killed by so-called friendly fire and other accidents, according to data released by the IDF on Monday. Fabian puts these numbers into perspective.

The IDF has detonated the tunnel complex under Shifa Hospital. What other tunnels has the IDF found recently?

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told US special envoy to the region Amos Hochstein that there is “a short window of time for diplomatic understandings” to be reached with Hezbollah, as the Lebanese terror group continued to carry out daily attacks on northern Israel. Fabian brings analysis of the fragile tit-for-tat balance.

For the latest updates, please look at The Times of Israel’s ongoing live blog.

Discussed articles include:

Live blog January 5, 2024

IDF announces probe of failures in lead-up to Oct. 7, drawing rage from ministers

Meeting on post-war Gaza ends in fracas as ministers snipe at IDF chief over probe

IDF says 3 Israelis missing since October 7 are among Gaza hostages; 1 of them is dead

IDF admits hostage Sahar Baruch was killed during failed rescue attempt last month

IDF: Deaths of 29 of 170 soldiers in Gaza op were so-called friendly fire, accidents

IDF destroys Shifa Hospital tunnels, accuses Hamas of using child soldiers

Gallant tells US envoy Hochstein there’s a ‘short window’ for a deal with Hezbollah

THOSE WE HAVE LOST: Civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas's onslaught on Israel

THOSE WE ARE MISSING: The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown

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IMAGE: IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi gives a statement to the media at an army base in southern Israel, December 26, 2023. (Flash90) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.