Israel - Palestinian militants launch massive attack, 7 Oct 2023 #10

[JennieM]

18m ago
Harriet Sherwood

British Palestinians with relatives in Gaza have demanded a meeting with the prime minister to press for the UK government to back a ceasefire, saying its current position is “putting our loved ones in danger”.

A letter sent to Rishi Sunak on behalf of members of the Palestinian community in the UK said their “voices as British citizens with friends and family under attack in Gaza” had been ignored.

Six people spoke about losing members of their families in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip at a press conference in central London on Monday. They all appealed to the government to back calls for a ceasefire.

Omar Mofeed, an accountant who has lived in London since 2013, has lost more than 40 relatives. His brother, the only plastic and reconstruction surgeon in Gaza, who trained and worked at St Thomas’ hospital in London until February, was trapped in al-Shifa hospital, which is surrounded by Israeli troops. There was no power, water or food, and there was no way of burying dead bodies, he said.

He read the names of his relatives who had been killed, saying “these people are not just numbers”.

Wafa Shamalakh, a medical interpreter and nutritionist, said she had experienced “unimaginable misery” as 30 members of her family, including seven children, had been killed. Her “beloved, vibrant family was wiped out in a matter of seconds”. She added:

We will not be silenced. We will keep fighting and speaking for all the innocent people murdered by the Israeli occupation. We are the voices of the voiceless. I will not let my family or anyone die in vain.

Israel-Hamas war: Brazil’s president accuses Israel of ‘killing innocent people’ – as it happened

This blog has closed. You can see all our Israel-Hamas war coverage here and see our latest full report on the conflict here

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

Bodies 'decomposing in Al-Shifa courtyard'​

Doctors in Gaza have told the BBC that dead bodies are piling up and beginning to rot inside and around Al-Shifa hospital.

Dr. Marwan Al-Barsh who is the director-general of the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said there were, "more than a hundred corpses" piled up in the courtyard, with the situation exacerbated by a lack of fuel to power the mortuaries.

"The electricity was cut off by the Israeli occupation forces that targeted the generators, which led to the decomposition and rotting of the corpses as we see worms coming out of them", Al-Barsh said on BBC Arabic's Gaza Lifeline programme.

Al-Bursh said they were struggling to bury their dead because of threats from the IDF.

“We tried to co-ordinate with the occupation forces so that we would be allowed to bury the dead bodies inside the hospital, yet anyone who attempts to get out of the hospital is directly shot."

Israel asserts that there is a Hamas command centre underneath Al-Shifa - IDF spokeswoman Libby Weiss said: "We know that with certainty. We've shared significant information that speaks to that."

It has shared a 3-D representation of what it claimed were a network of tunnels under the hospital, and recordings it says are of Hamas fighters discussing them.

Hamas denies it is using the hospital or that it has an operations centre underneath. Doctors inside insist there is no Hamas presence there.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67400490

 

[Elley Mae]

Hamas stealing fuel or won’t let it be delivered what ever, why does a Dr think that hamas would allow fuel for a mortuary?

 

[JennieM]

6m ago

UNRWA to shut down all operations in Gaza 'in 48 hours' unless fuel allowed in​

The director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has warned that all of the group’s aid operations in Gaza will be shut down in the next 48 hours unless fuel is allowed into the besieged territory.

UNRWA’s Gaza chief, Thomas White, posted to social media earlier today:

The humanitarian operation in Gaza will grind to a halt in the next 48 hours as no fuel is allowed to enter Gaza.

“No fuel has entered Gaza since October 7,” he added.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724042036456669499

Israel-Hamas war: Brazil’s president accuses Israel of ‘killing innocent people’ – as it happened

This blog has closed. You can see all our Israel-Hamas war coverage here and see our latest full report on the conflict here

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

6m ago

The International Rescue Committee has called for the protection of civilians and hospitals in Gaza amid reports of heavy gunfire around al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

The organisation urged an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for medical facilities to be able to “exercise their humanitarian, lifesaving function without interference” in a statement.

Bob Kitchen, the IRC’s emergencies director, said:

Preserving the protection and functioning of hospitals and safety of civilians with nowhere safe to flee is not just a legal obligation; it’s a moral imperative. Our collective humanity demands that we protect all those not participating in war and work to save lives, even in the midst of chaos.

Israel-Hamas war: Brazil’s president accuses Israel of ‘killing innocent people’ – as it happened

This blog has closed. You can see all our Israel-Hamas war coverage here and see our latest full report on the conflict here

www.theguardian.com

 

[Sundog]

1m ago
Ed Pilkington

One hundred US government officials from the state department and international development agency have signed an internal memo criticizing the White House for “disregarding the lives of Palestinians” and for showing an “unwillingness to de-escalate” in the Israel-Hamas war.

The memo, obtained by Axios, gives a glimpse of the intense internal opposition to Joe Biden’s strategy in the five-week war. The US president has maintained firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself following the 7 October Hamas attack while urging greater humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians in the besieged enclave.

The memo, which Axios reports was organized by a “junior diplomat” within the state department, blames Biden for failing to counter Israeli “war crimes” in Gaza. It says that the Biden administration has “doubled down on our unwavering military assistance to the [Israeli government] without clear or actionable redlines”.

According to Axios, the memo was sent to the policy office of the state department on 3 November. It was sent through an approved channel within the agency that allows for the expression of private misgivings about official government policy in what are known as “dissent cables”.

The cables are intended to allow diplomats to raise objections to state department strategy without fear of reprisals. They were set up in the wake of the Vietnam war as a form of internal checks and balances, but they are meant to remain private.

Read more of Ed Pilkington’s report here: US officials sign memo criticizing White House for ‘unwillingness to de-escalate’ Israel-Hamas war

Israel-Hamas war: Brazil’s president accuses Israel of ‘killing innocent people’ – as it happened

This blog has closed. You can see all our Israel-Hamas war coverage here and see our latest full report on the conflict here

www.theguardian.com

Sounds to me like this disgruntled "junior diplomat" is using the State department's internal processes to instigate a revolt because he disagrees with the U.S. government's policy position on Israel as they fight this war against Hamas. He should resign if he doesn't like the U.S. policy that is his job to implement. That's why he's "junior." Secretary of State Blinken's job is to implement the President of the United States' policy decisions, and the civil servants who work for Blinken are to do likewise. If the civil servants who work for these agencies don't like our policies, then they should resign. There are plenty of Americans who are willing to do the job they are hired to do and to do it honorably.

These entitled civil servants were not elected to make policy but to implement the policies of our leaders.

 

[dotr]

''Nov 13, 2023 GAZA
Israeli forces blast Hamas terrorist RPG team with Merkava tanks and machine guns in Gaza streets.IDF soldiers clashed with Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza. Israel’s 551st brigade, made up of ex-commandos and paratroopers fought Hamas on the streets of Beit Hanoun, near the Israeli border.Merkava tanks also blasted Hamas hideouts inside the city. Meanwhile footage from the Hamas side shows jihadist fighters attempting to ambush IDF forces using rocket launchers. Israel is pushing deep into Gaza in an attempt to wipe out Hamas.''

'Nov 13, 2023 #dailymail #israel #hamas
Israeli troops attempted to deliver fuel to Gaza’s main hospital but claimed Hamas militants stopped the aid reaching medics. IDF video appears to shows troops delivering 300 litres of fuel to Gaza’s largest hospital, which is running out of power. A call recording with a senior Hamas health official then seems to reveal terror leaders stopped the vital aid getting through. Israel is trying to destroy Hamas’s main base, under the hospital.'

'Nov 12, 2023
Montreal police are investigating after bullet marks and shell casings were found at a Jewish day school on Sunday morning, the second time it has been struck by gunfire since Wednesday. No one was injured. A spokesperson for the school is calling for a stronger police presence at Jewish schools and institutions.''

 

[Sundog]

International calls grow for a ceasefire in Gaza'What we see in Europe and also maybe in the United States with this outrageous campaigns of Palestinians and Islamists out in the streets, that from a Hasbara point, from Israels PR, that may be a blessing in disguise... because they wake up the very deep fears of Europeans and Americans that they may be taken over by foreigner elements' Former Ambassador Danny Ayalon says

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724050365149032527

Agree completely with this former Ambassador. What we are seeing in the streets is a wake-up call.

 

[margarita25]

 

[Sundog]

Herzog’s wife reveals one of their sons is fighting in Gaza​

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/herzogs-wife-reveals-one-of-their-sons-is-fighting-in-gaza/

I hope that revealing this information doesn't put her son at higher risk in Gaza. Praying for his safety, along with other Israeli's fighting to destroy the Hamas regime in Gaza.

 

[Sundog]

I'd have a hard time, having 100 workers than don't support the decision of a leader, POTUS or a top CEO.

How much dissension and divide will this cause in the State Dept. I'm appalled.
Moo...

I'm appalled, too. We didn't elect these civil servants to determine policy. They need to do their jobs or leave.

 

[Simply Southern]

6m ago

UNRWA to shut down all operations in Gaza 'in 48 hours' unless fuel allowed in​

The director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has warned that all of the group’s aid operations in Gaza will be shut down in the next 48 hours unless fuel is allowed into the besieged territory.

UNRWA’s Gaza chief, Thomas White, posted to social media earlier today:


“No fuel has entered Gaza since October 7,” he added.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724042036456669499

Israel-Hamas war: Brazil’s president accuses Israel of ‘killing innocent people’ – as it happened

This blog has closed. You can see all our Israel-Hamas war coverage here and see our latest full report on the conflict here

www.theguardian.com

Here we go ...
IDF has posted video of Hamas stealing food, moo...I'd never find that video
Is this hospital fuel going to Hamas?

From above ...
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner general, has also spoken about the fuel shortage, warning donors that the agency’s fuel depot in Gaza has run dry and that within a few days UNRWA will no longer be able to resupply hospitals, remove sewage and provide drinking water.

 

[Elley Mae]

IDF attacks have broken effectiveness of 10 of 24 Hamas battalions

IDF attacks have broken effectiveness of 10 of 24 Hamas battalions

Military gives 1st official estimate of Hamas’s total forces since start of war.

m.jpost.com

Sources said that at first, there was a clearly synchronized battle plan by Hamas to ambush Israeli forces, using a variety of tactics and specialized units.
However, once several Hamas commanders were killed by the IDF, the coordination broke down, and the various companies ceased to operate in unison, sometimes even only very small groups of Hamas forces working together, with no awareness or connection to other Hamas forces' efforts.

 

[Vern]

The response to the shooting to the north: 6 terrorist squads were thwarted, the IDF attacked launch positions | Documentationhttps://bit.ly/46hee4G

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724102321091526691

IDF forces attacked launch positions and a terrorist who took part in firing at Israeli territory. In addition, an IDF tank attacked a squad that tried to launch anti-tank missiles towards Shtula area | Documentation @ItayBlumental

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724099799748686042

The Israel Defense Force has launched several Strikes this morning on Hezbollah Positions in Southern Lebanon including the Launch Sites of 2 Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724100597496812028

 

[Brightchaser47]

I feel that many heads of state and organizations avoid "calling out" Hamas (and their ilk) out of fear-- fear of the loss of funding (Hamas financially backs many schools, businesses, and governments), as well as fear of physical retribution. jmo

 

[Brightchaser47]

Today in Rafah, during the hours of 10:00-14:00, the IDF put in place a local tactical pause for Gazan civilians to evacuate. Since Nov. 8, these tactical pauses have been upheld to allow civilians to evacuate southward. We continue to reiterate to all those involved; we are at war with Hamas, not the people of Gaza.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724077983336476884

In my opinion, these localized "pauses" are a wise approach, that's working. I think we all know what would likely happen, if a general ceasefire were to be attempted...

 

[PapillonVert]

You are right. I have been guilty of being critical of many countries and talking heads making comments. I think it's just extremely frustrating to see terrorism is just at the heart of this and then to see how many countries and public officials in positions of power just do not openly condemn it and instead are talking about peace and cease fires and so on. We know HAMAS is not interested in peace so what is really being said is if Israel would just stop and allow HAMAS to have it's way, then this would stop. But it wouldn't stop. Terrorists do not want peace, they want complete destruction and to take over the world.

You are right though we never know what might influence HAMAS to just let the hostages go and to do something else. I know many if not most people mean well and thinking of it from that point of view, I hope one of these comments coming from the Pope or another religious leader or head of state just is the one that makes some headway in getting all 240+ hostages released and getting HAMAS to surrender.


All of my comments come from a place of support for Israel AND for Palestinians. Nobody benefits with HAMAS in charge and most definitely not the people living in GAZA. I might overly support Israel because I OVERLY condemn terrorism and the evil that comes from it. It breeds like nothing else and we are seeing that around the world. My support for Israel doing what it needs to do to get the hostages back is not canceling out support for Palestinians and for finding ways to minimize the innocent civilians in the way.

Peace is always the goal. Just like in a marriage, if one party does not want to compromise or to create a joint unit, then there will not be unity. I have never known a terrorists organization to come to the table with peace and unity as the goal. Not sure how Israel or any country can compromise with another that just refuses to find any middle ground.

Well said!

 

[Chimera]

Sounds to me like this disgruntled "junior diplomat" is using the State department's internal processes to instigate a revolt because he disagrees with the U.S. government's policy position on Israel as they fight this war against Hamas. He should resign if he doesn't like the U.S. policy that is his job to implement. That's why he's "junior." Secretary of State Blinken's job is to implement the President of the United States' policy decisions, and the civil servants who work for Blinken are to do likewise. If the civil servants who work for these agencies don't like our policies, then they should resign. There are plenty of Americans who are willing to do the job they are hired to do and to do it honorably.

These entitled civil servants were not elected to make policy but to implement the policies of our leaders.

Bbm.
Re. the bolded : AMEN, Sundog.
Just ridiculous.
Smh.

 

[Arkay]

IMO

The courage that the IDF displays is absolutely stunning.

They are surrounded by very evil monsters, on all sides, greatly outnumbered, yet they know their duty and don’t hesitate.

Going into the heart of Hamas territory, destroying weaponry found at the bottom of the sea, simultaneously working to protect Gazan civilians who for the most part despise them anyway…

Their bravery and humanity is astounding. Not like cowards who crept in at the crack of dawn to ambush, rape, kidnap and kill helpless and unarmed individuals in their beds or at a dance, including children and the elderly.

 

[JennieM]

52m ago
Lisa O'Carroll

The EU’s chief diplomat has said that the bloc has been “far too absent” and left the onus on the US to develop a Middle East solution.

Josep Borrell outlined a roadmap he said was urgently needed to develop a “day after” solution for Gaza.

The plan was discussed by foreign ministers in Brussels today.

Borrell told reporters:

We have been far too absent. We have delegated this solution to the US, but now EU must be more involved because if we don’t find a solution we will experience a perpetual cycle of violence from generation to generation and funeral to funeral.

The press conference is continuing, but Borrell outlined six conditions for an enduring peace plan.

• Must involve no “forced displacement of Palestinian people outside Gaza”
• Must involve Arab states not just their money on reconstruction but their “strong commitment”
• Must involve no reduction of territory in Gaza
• Must involve a single Palestinian authority
• Must involve a greater involvement of the EU in the solution
• Must involve the removal of Hamas

Israel-Hamas war: Brazil’s president accuses Israel of ‘killing innocent people’ – as it happened

This blog has closed. You can see all our Israel-Hamas war coverage here and see our latest full report on the conflict here

www.theguardian.com