Members phkrause Posted October 8, 2023 Members Posted October 8, 2023 Israel "at war" after worst raid in decades Israeli police officers evacuate a woman and a child from a site hit today by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip. Photo: Tsafrir Abayov/AP Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his country "at war" after Hamas militants launched an incursion overnight that took the government completely by surprise and killed dozens of Israelis, Axios' Barak Ravid writes. "We are at war, and we will win it," Netanyahu declared. The surprise attack took place during the Simhat Torah holiday in Israel. In addition to the ground invasion from the Gaza Strip — the most serious incursion Israel has faced since 1973 — Hamas launched missiles at cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. More than 40 Israelis were killed and 750 wounded, most of them civilians, according to Israeli emergency services. Israel declared an emergency across the country and mobilized tens of thousands of reservists. The Israeli military has begun its response, striking Hamas targets in Gaza. 🖼️ The big picture: The attack comes amid a deep political crisis in Israel over the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul, which has weakened the country's military, economy and society. How it happened: The invasion started around 7:30 a.m., local time when Hamas used bulldozers to break through the border wall between Gaza and Israel. With parts of the wall down, Hamas militants invaded Israel with dozens of pickup trucks — occupying villages and towns close to the border, and even taking control of the local Israeli military headquarters. Videos on social media showed Hamas operatives driving undisturbed through Israeli towns close to the border. The White House condemned the "unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians." A senior Israeli official said President Biden is expected to speak with Netanyahu later today. National security adviser Jake Sullivan has spoken to his Israeli counterpart. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed the Pentagon will work to ensure Israel "has what it needs to defend itself." Israel's opposition leaders said in a joint statement that they will give full backing to the Israeli military: "Today there is no opposition and coalition in Israel." Get the latest ... White House statement. Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 8, 2023 Author Members Posted October 8, 2023 Hundreds of Israelis dead, wounded as Hamas launches major attack; ‘We are at war,’ Netanyahu says (JTA) — More than 300 Israelis are dead and over 1,500 are wounded after Hamas launched a surprise attack early Saturday, with thousands of rockets launched into Israel and terrorists infiltrating border towns. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/07/israel/israelis-dead-wounded-as-hamas-launches-major-attack-we-are-at-war-netanyahu-says? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted October 8, 2023 Moderators Posted October 8, 2023 From the military perspective: * The attack on Israel by Hamas has demonstrated a higher level of military ability than had previously been thought capable by Hamas. * The lack of intelligence of this coming attack on the part of Israel has surprised the military community. The question now is: What are the future consequences of this present situation as we understand it? phkrause 1 Quote Gregory
Members phkrause Posted October 8, 2023 Author Members Posted October 8, 2023 I will comment a little more later, but for now I'll say that Benjamin Netanyahu has been spending to much time worrying about not getting kicked out of office, that he's not been watching what's happening around him!! Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 ‘It was utter chaos’: Families and survivors describe the horrors of Hamas’ invasion (JTA) — Yoni Asher’s voice was steady but his urgency was unmistakable. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/07/israel/it-was-utter-chaos-families-and-survivors-describe-the-horrors-of-hamas-invasion? Biden and Netanyahu speak as world leaders pledge support for Israel after Hamas attack (JTA) — Political leaders from around the globe have condemned Hamas’ sweeping attack on Israel and pledged their support for Israel. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/07/israel/biden-and-netanyahu-to-speak-as-world-leaders-pledge-support-for-israel-after-hamas-attack? Israeli opposition, pro-democracy protesters press unity in face of attacks from Hamas (JTA) — Hours after Saturday’s deadly surprise attack on Israel by Hamas, the Israeli protest group Achim le’Neshek (Brothers and Sisters in Arms) was helping arrange transportation for army reservists being called to the front. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/07/israel/israeli-opposition-pro-democracy-protesters-press-unity-in-face-of-attacks-from-hamas? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 War shakes Biden, world President Biden's painstaking campaign to strike a historic peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel has been jeopardized by the Hamas surprise invasion of Israel. Now the White House and the world are bracing for an exponentially more powerful Israel response — and fear prolonged, expanded fighting in the Middle East, reports Axios' Barak Ravid, who has covered the region for two decades. Zoom out: A ground invasion of Gaza by Israel, which could come in retaliation for yesterday's attack, risks escalating violence in other parts of the region. That makes it harder, if not impossible, for Saudi Arabia and Israel to clinch a peace agreement. 🚨 The big red flag: The Biden administration, like the Israeli government, was surprised by the Hamas invasion. Two U.S. officials said no intelligence even remotely suggested such a scenario. Instead, the White House appeared fully focused on calming tensions in the West Bank and easing the Palestinian Authority into the Saudi mega-deal. Behind the scenes: The White House and State Department yesterday held a series of phone calls with countries in the region — including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey — and asked for help in de-escalating the crisis. President Biden said at the White House: "Let me say this as clearly as I can: This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage. The world is watching." Reality check: The crisis already seems to have hurt the normalization process in the region. Secretary of State Tony Blinken spoke to several foreign ministers from Arab countries that have peace agreements with Israel and asked them to condemn the Hamas invasion, according to a U.S. official. They did not. Blinken also spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. After the call, bin Farhan said in a statement that Saudi Arabia rejected targeting of civilians — but didn't condemn the Hamas attack. Get the latest ... Biden's remarks. Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 🧠 What to know Hamas stunned the world when it launched a surprise air, land and sea attack against cities across Israel in the most serious incursion against the country in decades. The Israeli military retaliated with heavy bombardment against the besieged Gaza Strip. The fighting comes after a year of escalating violence in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. The context: The conflict is unfolding amidst a deep political crisis in Israel over the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul, which has weakened the country's military, economy and society. Gaza has been under a 16-year Israeli blockade that restricts imports and prevents most Palestinians from leaving. What happened? Hamas fired thousands of rockets at Israeli cities around dawn local time on Saturday. Hamas militants then broke through the border barrier between Gaza and Israel. They entered southern Israel with pickup trucks and occupied Israeli villages and towns close to the border, killing soldiers and civilians, while taking others hostage. 🇮🇱 How has Israel responded? Israel retaliated with airstrikes, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "[T]he enemy will pay an unprecedented price." The Israeli Cabinet approved the mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists. Israel cut off electricity to Gaza and said it would stop supplying fuel and goods. Netanyahu told Palestinian residents to leave areas where militants are located, saying Israel will "turn all Hamas hiding places into rubble." What did Hamas say? Hamas spokesperson Khaled Qadomi told Al Jazeera that the militant group wants "the international community to stop atrocities in Gaza, against Palestinian people, our holy sites like Al-Aqsa ... All these things are the reason behind starting this battle." Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 🏛️ White House: GOP chaos could slow aid The Biden administration is planning to announce military aid for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza — but fear the House chaos could hamper approval, a senior U.S. official told reporters. Why it matters: Israel's response to the Hamas attack could take several weeks, and likely will need additional U.S. military assistance — especially if the battle space expands, Axios' Barak Ravid and Andrew Solender report. A senior Israeli official said Netanyahu wants emergency U.S. funding for the purchase of more interceptors for the Iron Dome missile defense system. The U.S. official said he thinks President Biden is committed to providing the funding. After the war in Gaza in 2021, the U.S. provided $1 billion to restock the system. "Congress will definitely have a role, and without a speaker this could be a problem," the official said. Reality check: Most House business has been at a standstill since Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted. Scholars and lawmakers are divided on what the House can do and how much power Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) has to pass additional military assistance. 👂 What we're hearing: Two House Republicans who spoke on condition of anonymity told Axios they're making the case that the House can act on Israel without a permanent speaker. Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 Chaos in Washington, war in Israel Extreme political dysfunction in Washington is colliding with an unprecedented crisis in Israel, where Americans are believed to be among the hundreds of civilians killed or taken hostage in Gaza. Why it matters: Geopolitical experts and historians have equated this to "Israel's 9/11" due to the scale, surprise and implications of the massive attack Hamas launched across the country yesterday. "The events of Saturday morning represent Israel's greatest military and intelligence failure in half a century — if not in the 75 years of the country's existence," wrote Jerusalem Post editor in chief Avi Mayer. The possibility that Hamas is holding American hostages in Gaza could draw the U.S. even further into the crisis. The latest: At least 700 Israelis and 413 Palestinians have been killed since Hamas launched its air, land and sea attack and Israel began retaliating with heavy bombardment against the besieged Gaza Strip. State of play: Washington's current state of political chaos threatens to hamper the U.S. response to the crisis. As Bloomberg's Steven Dennis points out: The speaker of the House position is vacant, with ongoing questions over whether any Republican can command a majority in an election planned for Wednesday. The U.S. has no Senate-confirmed ambassador to Israel, despite President Biden nominating former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew in early September. The government is operating under a 45-day stopgap funding measure, with another shutdown deadline looming on Nov. 17. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) is still blockading senior military promotions, which Pentagon officials have warned is damaging U.S. national security policy. The Senate is on recess this week. What to watch: A bipartisan pair of House members is preparing a resolution condemning the attack on Israel and declaring that the U.S. "stands ready for urgent requests for additional assistance," Axios' Andrew Solender and Juliegrace Brufke report. The resolution will declare "unwavering" American support for Israel and say the U.S. "stands ready for urgent requests for additional assistance Israel may require," according to a "dear colleague" letter soliciting signatures. It also will affirm Israel's right to act in self-defense, describe Hamas' attacks as "international terrorism and aggression," and call on Biden to provide intelligence, military and diplomatic support to Israel and foreign governments to expel Hamas personnel. What they're saying: Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), one of the draft's lead organizers along with Don Davis (D-N.C.), told Axios it was coordinated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and "has most of the [freshmen] and many veterans as co-sponsors." A House Republican who signed on to the resolution said the plan is to introduce it when the House returns Tuesday — before members are set to vote on a new speaker. Another House Republican described it as a "goodwill" resolution that "coincidentally, will test" what the House can do without a speaker if it's put to a vote before Wednesday's election. Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 🇺🇸 Pentagon announces aid package The Pentagon announced an initial emergency military assistance package for Israel today, as well as the movement of U.S. Navy ships and aircraft closer to Israel as a show of support, Axios' Barak Ravid reports. Why it matters: Israel is preparing a wide-ranging offensive that could include a ground operation in Gaza, which would likely take many weeks and could lead to an escalation in other parts of the region. The big picture: The initial Israeli request will not require new funding to be approved by Congress, but the administration is expected to give lawmakers a notification in advance, a U.S. official said. The package is expected to expedite munitions and other weapons that were already paid for by Israel or weapons that are in U.S. military stock and will be purchased with money already approved by Congress, the U.S. official said. Two U.S. officials said the Israeli Ministry of Defense has already given the Pentagon an initial list of weapons they need, which includes munitions for fighter jets. Zoom out: President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday — the two leaders' second call since the Hamas invasion began. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that "Biden reiterated his unreserved support for the State of Israel." Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 Once Mr. Security, Netanyahu failed to meet Israelis’ most basic security needs. How? (JTA) — In the aftermath of the worst coordinated attack on Israel since the Yom Kippur War exactly 50 years ago, Israel is in shock. Amid the fog of the ongoing developments, questions abound. First and foremost: how could this happen? https://www.jta.org/2023/10/07/ideas/once-mr-security-netanyahu-failed-to-meet-israelis-most-basic-security-needs-how? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 Israel intensifies Gaza strikes and scours south for Hamas fighters as death toll nears 1,200 Israel has ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip on Monday as soldiers fought to secure the border with tanks and dislodge fighters from Gaza after vowing to destroy the “military and governing capabilities" of the Hamas militant group. Read more. Recent developments: At least 700 people reportedly have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades, with nearly 500 killed in Gaza and about 2,000 people wounded on each side. The initial assault included an attack on civilians at a crowded music festival where authorities removed about 260 bodies and Hamas claimed to have taken more than 130 Israeli captives. While the Israeli military said fighting had slowed by Monday, the official declaration of war against Hamas on Sunday portends expanded fighting including a possible ground assault into Gaza, a move that in the past has brought heavy casualties. Israel carried out major military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon during the past four decades without formal declarations of war. The presence of hostages in Gaza complicates the response by Israel, which has a history of making lopsided prisoner exchanges to bring home captive citizens. Related coverage ➤ Live updates | Israel taking 'significant military steps' in response to Hamas attack What to know as Israel declares war, bombards Gaza Strip after unprecedented Hamas attack What went wrong? Questions emerge over Israel’s intelligence prowess after Hamas attack Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel thrusts Biden into Mideast crisis and has him fending off GOP criticism WASHINGTON (AP) — The Hamas militant attack on Israel and the massive retaliation it provoked from Jerusalem have thrust President Joe Biden into a Middle East crisis that risks expanding into a broader conflict and has left him fending off criticism from GOP presidential rivals that his administration’s policies led to this moment. https://apnews.com/article/biden-hamas-israel-gop-trump-desantis-13641817571f8df9afeeb720d1774cdc? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 America's war At least nine U.S. citizens were killed in this weekend's attacks in Israel, the Biden administration confirms. Most, if not all, are dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, a U.S. official told AP. Why it matters: Israel was hit. But America will be part of the prolonged and ferocious response. A senior U.S. official told Axios' Barak Ravid that the working assumption is that dual Israeli-American nationals were kidnapped and taken to Gaza during the Hamas invasion. The U.S. announced additional military aid for Israel, and is moving the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean to "bolster regional deterrence efforts." Administration officials expressed full solidarity with Israel, one of the closest U.S. allies. Secretary of State Tony Blinken said on ABC's "This Week": "The world should be revolted at what it's seen." Map: Axios Visuals ⚡ Breaking: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallan today ordered a full siege of the Gaza Strip, home to 2 million Palestinians, The Washington Post reports. "There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel," he said. The toll: More than 1,200 have died — at least 700 Israelis and 560 Palestinians. About 2,000 have been wounded on each side. 123,000+ Palestinians have been displaced, the UN said today. 🇮🇷 Iran accused: The Wall Street Journal reports in a detailed story that Iranian security officials helped plan Hamas's surprise attack, and "gave the green light for the assault at a meeting in Beirut last Monday." "Officers of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had worked with Hamas since August to devise the air, land and sea incursions," The Journal says. White House officials tell Barak Ravid they have no intelligence that corroborates that report. Blinken said on ABC: "We haven't yet seen direct evidence that Iran was behind this particular attack ... but the support over many years is clear." 🛢️ The price of oil jumped — the Middle East is home to almost a third of the global supply. ✈️ JPMorgan Chase asked its bankers in Israel to work from home. More airlines suspended flights to Israel. (Bloomberg) What to know ... Get the latest. Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 🔎 Behind the scenes: How Hamas duped Israel A two-year campaign of deception ensured Israel was caught off guard when the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched its devastating attack — enabling a force using bulldozers, hang gliders and motorbikes to take on the Middle East's most powerful army, Reuters reports. Saturday's assault followed two years of subterfuge by Hamas that involved keeping its military plans under wraps and convincing Israel it did not want a fight. Hamas constructed a mock Israeli settlement in Gaza where they practiced a military landing and trained to storm it, a source close to Hamas said, adding they even made videos of the maneuvers. How it worked: The operation was divided into four parts, the source said. The first move was a barrage of 3,000 rockets from Gaza that coincided with incursions by fighters who flew hang gliders over the border. The fighters on hang gliders secured the terrain so an elite commando unit could storm the fortified electronic and cement wall that divides Gaza from the settlements. The fighters used explosives to breach the barriers and then sped across on motorbikes. Bulldozers widened the gaps and more fighters entered on four-wheel drives. A commando unit attacked the Israeli army's southern Gaza headquarters and jammed its communications, preventing personnel from calling commanders or each other, the source said. The final part involved moving hostages to Gaza. Keep reading. Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 9, 2023 Author Members Posted October 9, 2023 Israel-Gaza war, day 3: Death toll climbs to 900, ‘complete siege’ of Gaza planned, Hamas threatens to execute hostages (JTA) — A massive military operation is underway to place Gaza under a “complete siege,” Israel’s defense minister said on Monday, 48 hours after a surprise attack by Hamas left 900 Israelis dead, thousands wounded and more than 100 captive in Gaza. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/09/israel/death-toll-climbs-but-border-towns-secure-as-hamas-attack-enters-day-3-complete-siege-of-gaza-planned? 4 Argentine Israelis dead, others missing from kibbutzes after Hamas attack (JTA) — Argentina’s Jewish community is reeling after at least four people with local roots were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel Saturday, while several others are missing and feared kidnapped or dead. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/08/israel/4-argentine-israelis-dead-others-missing-from-kibbutzes-after-hamas-attack? A peace activist, a soldier, a son: Stories of Americans missing or dead in Hamas invasion begin to emerge (JTA) — One, just out of the army, told his dad “I love you” and “I’m sorry” then went quiet. One who just joined the army has no family nearby, so a stranger is keeping him company in the hospital. One was a peace activist. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/08/united-states/a-peace-activist-a-soldier-stories-of-americans-missing-or-dead-in-hamas-invasion-begin-to-emerge? Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators face off on Manhattan streets following Hamas attack on Israel (New York Jewish Week) — As Israel continued to clear the Gaza border area of Hamas attackers, and came to grips with an attack that killed 700 people, hundreds of people came to rally in support of the country outside the United Nations on Sunday afternoon. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/08/ny/pro-israel-and-pro-palestinian-demonstrators-face-off-on-manhattan-streets-following-hamas-attack-on-israel? Was Hamas’ attack the bloodiest day for Jews since the Holocaust? (JTA) — As the death toll from Saturday’s attack on Israel has mounted, Israelis and Jews around the world have reached for analogies to explain the magnitude of the tragedy, calling the invasion “Israel’s 9/11” or “Israel’s Pearl Harbor.” https://www.jta.org/2023/10/08/israel/was-hamas-attack-the-bloodiest-day-for-jews-since-the-holocaust? US tracking reports of Americans killed and abducted in Hamas invasion of Israel WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Biden administration is investigating reports that Americans are among the at least 600 people killed and the 100 or so abducted in the Hamas invasion of Israel. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/08/israel/us-tracking-reports-of-americans-killed-and-abducted-in-hamas-invasion-of-israel? What happened in Israel? The Hamas attack, its grim toll and what’s next, explained (JTA) — Saturday was a day of bloodshed unprecedented in Israel’s history. https://www.jta.org/2023/10/08/israel/what-happened-in-israel-the-hamas-attack-its-grim-toll-and-whats-next-explained? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 10, 2023 Author Members Posted October 10, 2023 Israel strikes and seals off Gaza after incursion by Hamas, which vows to execute hostages JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel increased airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and sealed it off from food, fuel and other supplies Monday in retaliation for a bloody incursion by Hamas militants, as the war’s death toll rose to nearly 1,600 on both sides. Hamas also escalated the conflict, pledging to kill captured Israelis if attacks targeted civilians without warnings. https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-hostages-4377e096f62bf535bebcdff38cf16049? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 10, 2023 Author Members Posted October 10, 2023 Netanyahu says ‘hard days are still ahead of us,’ vows to defeat Hamas in ‘massive attack’ (JTA) — In a public address nearly three days after southern Israel was overrun with Hamas attackers who killed 900 people and kidnapped 100, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had begun a war that would end with the terror group’s defeat but added, “There are hard days ahead of us.” https://www.jta.org/2023/10/09/israel/netanyahu-says-hard-days-are-still-ahead-of-us-vows-to-defeat-hamas-in-massive-operation? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 10, 2023 Author Members Posted October 10, 2023 Israeli military says about 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants found in Israel as the border is secured Israel’s military said it had found the bodies of roughly 1,500 Hamas militants in Israeli territory as it gained effective control in the south and “restored full control” over the border. It was not immediately clear if those numbers overlapped with deaths previously reported by Palestinian authorities. Read more. Recent developments: The 4-day-old war has already claimed at least 1,600 lives, as Israel saw gun battles in the streets of its own towns for the first time in decades and neighborhoods in Gaza were reduced to rubble. Hamas has escalated the conflict, pledging to kill captured Israelis if strikes targeted civilians without warning. Israel said that Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza are holding more than 150 soldiers and civilians after the attack caught its military and intelligence apparatus completely off guard. In a briefing Tuesday, an Israeli military spokesperson said Gaza’s parliament and civilian ministries were legitimate targets in its offensive against Hamas. The Israeli military has also activated 360,000 reservists in a massive mobilization, leaving questions about whether it will launch a ground assault in Gaza. Related coverage ➤ Live updates | Israel vows to punish Gaza as region and world feel ripples from Hamas attack As Israel pummels Gaza, families of those held hostage by militants agonize over loved ones’ safety What is Hamas? The group that rules the Gaza Strip has fought several rounds of war with Israel Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 11, 2023 Author Members Posted October 11, 2023 European Union reverses earlier announcement that it was suspending development aid to Palestinians BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union late Monday reversed an earlier announcement by an EU commissioner that the bloc was “immediately” suspending development aid for Palestinian authorities and instead said it would urgently review such assistance in the wake of the attacks on Israel by Hamas to make sure no money was misused. https://apnews.com/article/eu-palestinians-aid-israel-hamas-be4681a821bac98728e131a8c6abb552? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 11, 2023 Author Members Posted October 11, 2023 Scoop: West Wing crisis diary The White House was lit with Israel's colors last night. Photo: Leah Millis/Reuters President Biden held more than two dozen calls, meetings and briefings as deadly chaos erupted in Israel and Gaza, triggering one of the most acute and dangerous foreign policy crises of his presidency, Axios' Zachary Basu reports. Why it matters: Unlike Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Hamas' surprise assault on Israel came as a shock to the U.S. and its allies — testing Biden's ability to coordinate emergency response in real time. At least 11 Americans were killed in Israel in the Hamas attack, and several Americans are believed to be among 100+ hostages taken into Gaza by Hamas. 900+ Israelis have been killed. 704 died in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The president's early response is likely to come under particular scrutiny given that GOP infighting has left the House paralyzed and without a speaker for nearly a week. ☎️ A White House official gave Axios an exclusive look at a diary of 28 Israel-related calls and meetings conducted by Biden over the U.S. holiday weekend, providing a snapshot of how events unfold in the West Wing during a crisis. Biden was on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu within hours of an initial briefing early Saturday. After vowing to provide Israel with whatever it needed, Biden spent the rest of the morning in constant contact with his national security team, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and CIA Director Bill Burns. Biden spoke with Jordan's King Abdullah and checked in on two members of Congress who were in Israel during the attack — Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) — before delivering public remarks at the White House. Over the next 48 hours, Biden repeatedly reconvened his national security team as the scale of the atrocities — including American casualties and likely hostages — emerged. Biden called Netanyahu again Sunday, shelving tensions over the prime minister's controversial judicial overhaul as he reiterated America's "rock solid" commitment to Israel. Netanyahu told Biden that Israel has no choice but to unleash a ground operation in Gaza, to which Biden lodged no objections, Axios' Barak Ravid reports. Yesterday, Biden pledged to work with Israel "on every aspect of the hostage crisis," including sharing U.S. intelligence and expertise. In the afternoon, Biden convened a call with the leaders of the U.K., France, Italy and Germany, who issued a joint statement condemning Hamas. The White House was lit in blue and white in solidarity with Israel last night (photo above), joining the U.K.'s 10 Downing Street and Palace of Westminster, Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, the Sydney Opera House, and other global landmarks. "In this moment of heartbreak, the American people stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israelis," Biden said yesterday. "We remember the pain of being attacked by terrorists at home." "And we will continue to show the world that the American people are unwavering in our resolve to oppose terrorism in all forms." Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 11, 2023 Author Members Posted October 11, 2023 Palestinians scramble for safety as Israel pounds sealed-off Gaza Strip to punish Hamas JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli warplanes hammered the Gaza Strip neighborhood by neighborhood Tuesday, reducing buildings to rubble and sending people scrambling to find safety in the tiny, sealed-off territory now suffering severe retaliation for the deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants. https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-hostages-bf6c42f84526c4d9416978c8effd932a? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 12, 2023 Author Members Posted October 12, 2023 Misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war is flooding social media. Here are the facts In the days since Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday morning, a flood of videos and photos purporting to show the conflict have filled social media, making it difficult for onlookers from around the world to sort fact from fiction. https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-misinformation-fact-check-e58f9ab8696309305c3ea2bfb269258e? Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 12, 2023 Author Members Posted October 12, 2023 Biden's crystal clarity President Biden left no room for ambiguity as he delivered one of the most forceful, emotional speeches of his presidency this afternoon: Hamas' attack on Israel was "an act of sheer evil," he declared, equating it to the "worst rampages of ISIS." Why it matters: Biden's address — carried live by all major news networks —was perhaps the most powerful statement of support for Israel by a sitting U.S. president since Harry Truman recognized the Jewish state in 1948, Axios' Barak Ravid writes. "In this moment, we must be crystal clear. ... The United States has Israel's back. We will make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow — as we always have," Biden said. "President Biden's speech was the most passionately pro-Israel in history," tweeted former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren. "Our people will always remember and cherish this speech and the man who delivered it." Driving the news: The speech came as Israel continues to reel from the worst crisis in its history, with many Israelis still in shock, grieving and feeling more vulnerable than ever. At least 1,000 Israelis have been killed since the attacks began early Saturday morning, while 765 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. At least 14 Americans have also been killed, and U.S. citizens are among the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, Biden confirmed. Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanks Biden for his speech. Screenshot via X Flashback: When Biden visited Israel in July of last year, he said one doesn't have to be Jewish to be a Zionist. His speech on Tuesday reflected that position. In his remarks, Biden recounted one of his favorite anecdotes about meeting Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir as a freshman senator, shortly before the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Noticing he seemed concerned about Israel's security, Biden said Meir "leaned over and whispered to me, 'Don't worry, Senator Biden. We have a secret weapon here in Israel. ... We have no place else to go.'" Biden's story served as a symbolic reference to another war that caught Israel by surprise — and that until three days ago was the country's most painful and traumatic moment. Between the lines: Biden's speech did not mention the Palestinian civilians killed or currently at risk from Israel's siege and bombardment of Gaza, except for a vague reference to the importance of following "the laws of war." "Terrorists purposely target civilians, kill them. We uphold the laws of war. It matters, there's a difference," Biden said. Behind the scenes: Biden gave the speech shortly after speaking for the third time with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told him that the savagery of Hamas' attack was the worst that Jews have faced since the Holocaust. Biden plans to ask Congress for emergency military assistance for Israel, and has already started providing Israel with ammunition and interceptors for the Iron Dome missile defense system. Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
Members phkrause Posted October 12, 2023 Author Members Posted October 12, 2023 Israel strikes neighborhoods in Gaza as war looks set to escalate Residents of the Gaza Strip scrambled to find safety Wednesday, as Israeli warplanes hammered neighborhood after neighborhood in the tiny coastal enclave, retaliating for the deadly weekend attack by Hamas militants. Read more. Recent developments: Humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid into Gaza, warning that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. Israel has also stopped entry of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold about 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel. The war, which has claimed at least 2,100 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate, with new exchanges of fire over Israel’s northern borders with militants in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday pointing to the risk of an expanded regional conflict. Related coverage ➤ Live updates | Israel bombards sealed-off Gaza Strip to punish Hamas WATCH: Drone footage shows Israel pounding Hamas stronghold in Gaza Israeli village near Gaza border is in ruin, filled with bodies of residents and militants Quote phkrause Obstinacy is a barrier to all improvement. - ChL 60
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