Israel - Palestinian militants launch massive attack, 7 Oct 2023 #8

[MyBelle]

Breaking: UN General Assembly votes in favour of immediate truce in Gaza​

Nada Tawfik
Reporting from UN headquarters in New York

The UN General Assembly has adopted – by an overwhelming majority – a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza.

The resolution – put forward by Jordan on behalf of the Arab group – also condemns all acts of violence against Palestinian and Israeli civilians, including all "terror and indiscriminate attacks".

It calls for unhindered aid and protection of civilians.

There were 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.

Resolutions by the General Assembly are not legally binding, but they carry moral weight due to the universality of its membership.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67223217

BBM. Didn't Israel denounce the UN the other day?

I think both sides have made it clear their goal is to obliterate one another. My heart goes out to the families of the hostages. smh

JMO

UN General Assembly calls for `humanitarian truce’ in Gaza leading to halt in Israel-Hamas fighting

The U.N. General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution Friday calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza leading to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers.

www.stripes.com

The 193-member world body adopted the resolution by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions after rejecting a Canadian amendment backed by the United States to unequivocally condemn the Oct. 7 “terrorist attacks” by Hamas and demand the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas.

 

[Friday Fan]

Breaking: UN General Assembly votes in favour of immediate truce in Gaza​

Nada Tawfik
Reporting from UN headquarters in New York

The UN General Assembly has adopted – by an overwhelming majority – a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza.

The resolution – put forward by Jordan on behalf of the Arab group – also condemns all acts of violence against Palestinian and Israeli civilians, including all "terror and indiscriminate attacks".

It calls for unhindered aid and protection of civilians.

There were 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.

Resolutions by the General Assembly are not legally binding, but they carry moral weight due to the universality of its membership.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67223217

The US and Israel voted against.
The rest of our allies abstained or voted in favor.

Those voting with the US and Israel
Austria, Croatia, Fiji, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Tonga. (On my phone, so I'm trying to remember)UN resolution calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire passes with overwhelming majority - The Times of Israel

Resolution also calls for return of all hostages.

Doubt if anything will happen..moo

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Aid worker says Gaza emergency services will default to traditional methods​

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has reiterated to BBC News that communication with Gaza has been cut off.

Speaking from Ramallah - in the separate West Bank - spokeswoman Nebal Farsakh says: "We are extremely worried about our colleagues who are working on the ground amid this continuous bombardment."

Farsak explains that emergency workers will be defaulting to a "traditional way" of working: hearing the sound of explosions and attending the scene to treat those assumed to be wounded.

"We will be running out of fuel in the coming hours," she says. "We will be unable to provide emergency medical services in Gaza and do not have fuel to run the ambulances."

She warns that people connected to life support or oxygen machines will "lose their lives" as the equipment is cut due to the lack of electricity.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67223217

 

[Momoffourboys]

I'm curious whether there is direct access from the hospital to the tunnels, and whether the tunnels can be cut off at other points, essentially trapping Hamas militants in the tunnels under the hospital.

Per the IDF news conference, there are multiple entry/exit points from hospital to and from tunnels. (it was linked a page or two ago)

 

[SophieRose]

https://www.thestatesman.com/world/hamas-using-hospitals-as-command-centres-main-base-beneath-al-shifa-hospital-israel-1503235340.html

 

[Arkay]

"I don’t know if they are safe or not": Family members left in dark after communications go down in Gaza​

From CNN’s Yahya Abou-Ghazala and Kyle Blaine

People who have family in Gaza tell CNN they have not been able to contact them after communications went down in the enclave following heavy airstrikes.

Jawwal, the Palestinian telecom company that provides mobile service to the Gaza Strip released a statement Friday night saying "the intense bombardment in the past hour has resulted in the destruction of all remaining international routes connecting Gaza with the outside world" leading to a "complete interruption of telecommunications services".

Said Alhayek, 42, from Las Vegas, said he has not been able to reach his family in Gaza.

Adli Anwar, 57, who is living in Ottawa, Canada, also said he has no way of communicating with his family.

“I can’t get anything — about three hours ago, we lost all communications, no phones, no internet, nothing. Before it would connect, about 80% of the time, and now it’s zero percent. It doesn’t get to the international line," Anwar said.

CNN tried calling several contacts with Gaza numbers over the last hour, both over international calling and over WhatsApp. On the international calls, they either go straight to voicemail or an automated message says “the number you are calling is currently unreachable. Please try again later.”

WhatsApp and iMessage are not delivering, and when using the internet to call, it just rings endlessly.

October 27, 2023 Israel-Hamas war news

A large series of explosions has rocked Gaza City Friday night, according to CNN teams near the Israel and Gaza border. Follow for live updates on the Israel-Hamas war.

edition.cnn.com

IMO they may have an inkling now of how the Israelis are suffering, when those who have hostages in their families have no clue if their loved ones are dead, alive, being tortured, raped.
And of course so many Israelis who saw their family burnt and tormented and raped in front of their very eyes.

It’s a shame this war had to take place, but it had to after innocent Israeli civilians were slaughtered and hostages taken.

Israel did not seek this out. Hamas did this. Gaza should blame Hamas.

Ordinary Gazans celebrated when Israelis were dragged over the border and they participated in the desecration of Jewish bodies and beating those who were alive.

No one wants this, but it has to be done. Israel has the legal and ethical right to defend its nation and its people.

Israel cannot retreat until its people are guaranteed safety in their own land and in their own homes.

IMO

 

[Mo Thuairim]

The latest from Gaza as Israel steps up bombing​

Getty Images

Things have intensified in the last few hours. Here's the latest picture:

• Israel has said its ground forces are "expanding operations tonight" - as the Gaza Strip is rocked with large explosions. A BBC team nearby said the bombardment appeared heavier than usual
• 
  
• People in Gaza can't currently be reached, after communication networks went down around the time the bombing intensified
• 
  
• Hamas's military wing says it is clashing with Israeli forces in northern Gaza, and also targeting two southern Israeli cities with "intense missile barrages"
• 
  
• An Israeli military spokesman has again warned people in Gaza City to move south for their safety
• 
  
• He said Israel "won't allow terrorist activities from hospitals" after earlier alleging that Hamas was using hospitals in Gaza to shield its command centres - an accusation that Hamas rejected
• 
  
• The UN General Assembly has voted in favour of an immediate truce in Gaza. This isn't legally binding, but carries moral weight due to the universality of the UN's membership
• 
  
• The US has given its backing to humanitarian pauses in fighting between the two sides, to allow much-needed aid to reach Gaza

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67223217

 

[MyBelle]

The US and Israel voted against.
The rest of our allies abstained or voted in favor.

Those voting with the US and Israel
Austria, Croatia, Fiji, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Tonga. (On my phone, so I'm trying to remember)UN resolution calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire passes with overwhelming majority - The Times of Israel

Resolution also calls for return of all hostages.

Doubt if anything will happen..moo

The US may have voted against it but I'm confident the U.S. supports a ceasefire.

Our local FBI, police and sheriff told the news media yesterday they are very concerned about attacks on mosques, temples, churches, schools in our metro.

JMO

With no fanfare or acknowledgment, Biden hosts White House meeting with Muslim leaders

“The optics don’t look good,” an attendee said, speaking on condition of anonymity to talk freely about the discussion with Biden.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

BBM. Even if it has been there for years, we do know that hostages are likely being held in those tunnels, so I hope Israel doesn't bomb it.

This is the most recent news article I could find. It was many hours ago and is relying on unnamed sources.

JMO

Behind Biden's shift on Israel-Hamas war: Gaza deaths, international pressure

U.S. President Joe Biden and his team have markedly shifted their tone on the Israel-Hamas crisis in recent days, moving from unfettered support of Israel to emphasizing the need to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza ahead of a looming Israeli ground invasion.

www.reuters.com

"We've seen sort of an evolution from sort of full-throated, unconditional hugging of Israel to a little bit more nuance," the former official said.

The administration had not expected Palestinian casualties to mount as fast as they have – now more than 7,000 dead in Gaza, local officials say – or for the humanitarian situation to deteriorate so rapidly, a U.S. official said on condition of anonymity.

Ideally I’d like to see the hostages rescued first, then blast the tunnels to kingdom come.

 

[otto]

Ideally I’d like to see the hostages rescued first, then blast the tunnels to kingdom come.

Apparently sponge bombs will be used in the tunnels.

DailyMail

 

[MyBelle]

Ideally I’d like to see the hostages rescued first, then blast the tunnels to kingdom come.

So would I but Israel has ignored requests for a humanitarian pause.

JMO

Israel rebuffs allies’ calls to ‘pause’ Gaza assault

Israel is rejecting calls for respite in Gaza as its closest allies in the West have coalesced around the idea of "humanitarian pauses", or temporary stops to the bombardment.

www.reuters.com

The issue has opened the first public split between Israel and backers including the United States, the EU, UK and other G7 members such as Japan over the campaign after tight alignment and support in the nearly three weeks since Hamas militants burst from Gaza into southern Israel on a deadly rampage.

"Israel is opposed to a humanitarian pause or ceasefire at this time," Lior Haiat, Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Friday, while a senior Israeli official said calls for a pause in fighting appeared in "poor faith."

 

[otto]

So would I but Israel has ignored requests for a humanitarian pause.

JMO

Israel rebuffs allies’ calls to ‘pause’ Gaza assault

Israel is rejecting calls for respite in Gaza as its closest allies in the West have coalesced around the idea of "humanitarian pauses", or temporary stops to the bombardment.

www.reuters.com

The issue has opened the first public split between Israel and backers including the United States, the EU, UK and other G7 members such as Japan over the campaign after tight alignment and support in the nearly three weeks since Hamas militants burst from Gaza into southern Israel on a deadly rampage.

"Israel is opposed to a humanitarian pause or ceasefire at this time," Lior Haiat, Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said on Friday, while a senior Israeli official said calls for a pause in fighting appeared in "poor faith."

What would an humanitarian pause do for the hostages?

 

[dotr]

Israel: Thai workers hide under truck in Hamas attack
Oct 11, 2023 #hamasattack #israel #thai
Holed up inside a bunker in southern Israel with dozens of other Thai migrant workers, Udomporn Jampahom said on the phone on Monday (October 9) that he wanted to return home.Udomporn, who goes by Domei Sriket on his Facebook page, is one of approximately 30,000 migrant workers from Thailand who were employed in Israel and are now looking to leave the country following an escalation in violence that has left over 1,000 people dead in Israel and Gaza.Footage he shared with Reuters showed he and his fellow workers hiding under a truck during the attack by Hamas militants on Saturday (October 7), as explosions can be heard in the background. One of his colleagues was shot in the leg and later evacuated by the Israeli military.Thailand's foreign ministry on Monday said 12 Thai nationals had been killed in Israel, plus 11 more kidnapped and eight injured. Thailand is one of the largest sources of migrant workers for Israel, with many mainly employed in the agricultural sector.

 

[Chimera]

IMO they may have an inkling now of how the Israelis are suffering, when those who have hostages in their families have no clue if their loved ones are dead, alive, being tortured, raped.
And of course so many Israelis who saw their family burnt and tormented and raped in front of their very eyes.

It’s a shame this war had to take place, but it had to after innocent Israeli civilians were slaughtered and hostages taken.

Israel did not seek this out. Hamas did this. Gaza should blame Hamas.

Ordinary Gazans celebrated when Israelis were dragged over the border and they participated in the desecration of Jewish bodies and beating those who were alive.

No one wants this, but it has to be done. Israel has the legal and ethical right to defend its nation and its people.

Israel cannot retreat until its people are guaranteed safety in their own land and in their own homes.

IMO

Bbm.
Very sad and disgusting.

I think Israel needs to strike now !
Hamas and their sponsors who claim to not be involved (Iran and possibly other nations ?), want to not just destroy Israel to to kill every last Jewish person.
It's like the holocaust with different aggressors.
Imo.

Those hostages may be dead and Hamas wants to taunt Israel by claiming they're all alive.
Which may be true or not.
Not to mention the other nations attacking Israel and also our armed forces.

US strikes back at Iranian-backed groups that attacked troops in Iraq, Syria: Pentagon

U.S. aircraft carried out strikes in Syria against facilities associated with Iranian-backed groups believed to be responsible for attacks on troops, the military said.

abcnews.go.com

U.S. military aircraft have carried out strikes in eastern Syria against facilities associated with Iranian-backed militant groups believed to be responsible for more than a dozen rocket and drone attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria that injured 21 service members, the military said Thursday night.
Red bolding mine.
How long before Iran starts killing U.S. service members ?

U.S. launches strikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes were on two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups.

www.nbcnews.com

Today, at President Biden’s direction," Austin said, "U.S. military forces conducted self-defense strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria
used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
and affiliated groups.
These precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17."

The U.S. military action comes amid rising tensions in the region over the conflict in Israel. Austin called the attacks
“separate and distinct
from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas” and said they don’t represent a shift in the U.S. approach to the conflict.
Emphasis mine.
Not so certain about it being separate from what is happening in Israel ?
Feels kind of connected, iykwim ?

Omo.

 

[MyBelle]

What would an humanitarian pause do for the hostages?

The US wanted to negotiate their release.

JMO

 

[otto]

The US wanted to negotiate their release.

JMO

Haven't we already heard that Hamas wants 6000 incarcerated criminals released in exchange for hostages, living or dead? Israel is not going to release those criminals, end the war, and wait for this to happen again.

A ceasefire, or humanitarian pause, is not going to help the hostages.

 

[Chimera]

Haven't we already heard that Hamas wants 6000 incarcerated criminals released in exchange for hostages, living or dead? Israel is not going to release those criminals, end the war, and wait for this to happen again.

A ceasefire, or humanitarian pause, is not going to help the hostages.

Agreed.
Releasing the 6,000 (or more ?) will only make Hamas stronger and add to their arsenal of depraved killers.
Israel needs to keep them locked away.
Omo.

 

[MyBelle]

Haven't we already heard that Hamas wants 6000 incarcerated criminals released in exchange for hostages, living or dead? Israel is not going to release those criminals, end the war, and wait for this to happen again.

A ceasefire, or humanitarian pause, is not going to help the hostages.

Israel has made it abundantly clear it doesn't care about the hostages.

JMO

 

[Arkay]

Haven't we already heard that Hamas wants 6000 incarcerated criminals released in exchange for hostages, living or dead? Israel is not going to release those criminals, end the war, and wait for this to happen again.

A ceasefire, or humanitarian pause, is not going to help the hostages.

Agreed.
Releasing the 6,000 (or more ?) will only make Hamas stronger and add to their arsenal of depraved killers.
Israel needs to keep them locked away.
Omo.

Right.

As has been discussed, Israel spent FIVE YEARS negotiating with Hamas to liberate the ONE hostage, Gilad Shalit.

The price Israel eventually did pay was to release over 1000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

THOSE prisoners included some of the “people” who are Hamas leaders today. The very ones who initiated this attack.

I want all the hostages from Israel to be released immediately, safe and sound. I don’t even want to imagine how much their families are suffering and what the hostages themselves are suffering.

Obviously, the nation of Israel is desperate to rescue each and every hostage.

BUT if 6000 prisoners are released, Hamas will have learned the lesson that they can keep doing this to Israel perpetually. With ever greater number of victims. Israel cannot go down that path again in order to free the hostages.

I don’t know the solution but I leave that to greater minds than mine.

Hamas’s Gaza Chief, Once a High-Profile Prisoner in Israel, Is Now a ‘Dead Man Walking’

Israeli officials blame Yahya Sinwar for the Oct. 7 attacks and have vowed to kill him.

www.wsj.com

 

[otto]

Israel has made it abundantly clear it doesn't care about the hostages.

JMO

I certainly have not seen anything to support that claim. Hostages matter, but the first priority is to disrupt Hamas militants and prevent this from happening again. Hamas militants are mass murderers. The cannot be allowed to interfere with any civilized society.