Israel - Palestinian militants launch massive attack, 7 Oct 2023 #11

[JennieM]

4m ago

Pictures and videos posted online of yesterday’s ceasefire protests in Washington DC showed Capitol police scattering candles, which were originally laid out to mourn the 11,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes.

At one point, video showed a Capitol police officer appearing to spit on the candles after kicking them around.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724958494355325242

Capitol police clashed with dozens of demonstators outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday evening where several Democratic representatives including the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, were inside for a campaign reception.

Capitol police said that approximately 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” and that one person was arrested “for assault on an officer.”

Organisers of the ceasefire demonstrations said that more than 90 non-violent protesters were injured by capitol police.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1725027139630579780

Israel-Hamas war live: communications across Gaza down ‘due to lack of fuel’; UN looking at how to evacuate al-Shifa hospital

Palestinian telecommunication company says all services down; Palestinian Red Crescent lacks fuel for ambulances to evacuate patients, WHO says

www.theguardian.com

 

[PommyMommy]

3m ago / 9:32 AM PST

Kirby 'still convinced' on intelligence over Hamas' use of Al-Shifa​

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the administration is "still confident" in its intelligence assessment on how Hamas has used Al-Shifa Hospital as a "command and control node" in northern Gaza.

"And most likely, as well as a storage facility and that they were sheltering themselves in a hospital, using the hospital as a shield against military action and placing the patients and medical staff at a greater risk," Kirby said this morning.

The IDF released video yesterday alleging that it found some "grab bags" with gear and weapons stored in one of Al-Shifa's buildings. Hamas has denied assertions from the White House and Israel Defense Forces that it uses Al-Shifa and other hospitals, as well as calling the claims made in the IDF video on Wednesday a lie.

[...]

IDF says hostage's body found near Gaza's main hospital

Follow NBC News' coverage for live updates about the Israel-Hamas war: The IDF storms Al-Shifa hospital for a second time.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[PommyMommy]

Heavy Artillery and Airstrikes today on the Central Gaza Strip following reports of Isreali Ground Troops are attempting to Enlarge the “Buffer Zone” between the Northern and Southern Strip.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1725202691595403643

14NOV2023 updated map of Warships in Eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf.

[...]

Changes since yesterday:

While operating in the Northern Red Sea USS Thomas Hudner engaged a drone that originated from Yemen and was heading in the direction of the ship. The Hudner’s crew engaged and shot down the drone to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel. There were no U.S. casualties or any damage to the ship.

IKE CSG continues to Operate in Gulf of Oman

Italy announced the deployment of ITS Vulcano A-5335 to the eastern Mediterranean as a hospital ship to assist with humanitarian to Gaza. This is likely part of the Amaltheia Initiative which was introduced by Cyprus last week at the International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza in Paris This initiative is gathering ships in Cyprus that will then be inspected and then escorted to Gaza port and from there then be a humanitarian maritime corridor.

[...]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1725065823054614921

 

[justtrish]

In my opinion, actions tell the difference. I was taught that "actions speak louder than words" (and I believe that).

I think the problem lies in determining who is who with only moments to make a decision. The people leaving the hospital who were shot at. How does IDF determine on the fly if those are HAMAS fighters who changed clothing and are attempting to leave the area? How do they sort out who is who, when people don't follow guidance to move south? I have no doubt some are just scared and won't move because of fear. I also think there are plenty of HAMAS fighters who are attempting to blend in and how does one determine who is an innocent civilian and who is a bad guy with maybe a grenade just waiting for the perfect time to throw it?

This has been an issue with many wars. It comes down to kill or be killed sometimes. Not knowing who is the clear enemy and who isn't is difficult.

I keep coming back to who put everyone in this situation? HAMAS did. For what is happening right now, it is a direct result of Oct 7th and HAMAS taking over 200 hostages that are still missing. The world seems to be calling on Israel to make it stop, but the real people that can make it ALL stop is HAMAS. Give up the hostages and surrender. No more innocent people will be killed while IDF attempts to locate hostages. Supplies will come in freely. People can return to their homes and the world can start helping Palestinians rebuild.

 

[Friday Fan]

I believe it's due to lack of self control, lack of ability to compromise, inability to accept laws, guidelines or regulations, grandiose feelings of being right.

Wondered if they played well with others as a child?

We all have negative emotions but most of us don't divert ambulances, vandalize buildings, stop traffic and threaten harm to others.

I just don't think they are special in their cause. Most of us, have a passionate cause and use our actions for positive outcomes.

Moo....

The brawl last night apparently started "peacefully." But the area is controlled by the Capitol police. Protesters were blocking an exit. The police felt they were an actual threat to members of congress. (Recalling what happened in Jan 2021)
If it had been at a different location, (like in front of a bank where they often protest) it likely would have ended with less drama.

 

[otto]

13min ago

Pointing to ISIS, al-Qaeda, US says it’s likely impossible to completely eliminate Hamas​

The White House says it believes Israel can dramatically reduce the threat from Hamas, but that eliminating the group and its ideology is likely impossible.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby points to the US efforts to disrupt al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, a day after Biden said Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza would only end once the militant group was no longer a threat.

“What we have learned through our own experiences, that that military and other means you can absolutely have a significant impact on terrorist groups ability to resource itself, to train fighters, to recruit fighters, to plan to execute attacks,” Kirby tells reporters. “And look at the shadow of itself that ISIS is right now, look at the shadow of itself al-Qaeda is right now.”

“It doesn’t mean that the ideology withers away and die,” Kirby adds.

I found the upthread discussion about "militant" versus "terrorist" interesting, as I have used the terms interchangeably. What do they have in common, and how are they different? Both terms rely on extreme, violent, confrontational methods to obtain political goals. One difference is that terrorists specifically target civilians.

That leaves me thinking that Hamas government soldiers are militant terrorists. Hamas soldiers are educated throughout their lives in government schools and they wear government military uniforms, have full access to government weapons, construct military operations centres beneath and near densely populated civilian infrastructure, and are financially supplied by the government. They are government militants who have been educated and trained to indiscriminately, violently attack soldiers and civilians.

militant: combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favouring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods.

terrorist: a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Many reports state that half of the Gaza population of 2.3 million is under the age of 18. That means that up to 1.15 million people have been educated by the Hamas government since 2007 to adhere to militant terrorist values of murdering civilians. Going forward, I think one of the most critical changes must be to teach the children of Gaza the difference between murder, and military defence. Only then will it be possible to minimize future destruction by Hamas ISIS militant terrorists.

 

[JennieM]

6m ago

UN chiefs reject unilateral proposals to create 'safe zones' in Gaza​

The heads of several United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organisations have said they will not take part in the establishment of any “safe zones” in Gaza that are declared by only one side of the conflict.

A joint statement signed by nearly a dozen heads of UN agencies, including the UN’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, human rights chief, Volker Türk, children’s fund chief, Catherine Russell, and head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reads:

As humanitarian leaders, our position is clear: We will not participate in the establishment of any ”safe zone” in Gaza that is set up without the agreement of all the parties, and unless fundamental conditions are in place to ensure safety and other essential needs are met and a mechanism is in place to supervise its implementation.

Israel has for more than a month been calling on Palestinian civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate south into Gaza Strip, a narrow coastal territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has established what it calls “humanitarian corridors” to allow residents to leave the north of Gaza.

Tens of thousands of people have fled from north to south Gaza in recent weeks, crowding into UN-run shelters and family homes where the UN’s human rights chief has warned that “massive outbreaks of infectious disease, and hunger” seemed inevitable.

The joint statement on Thursday said proposals to unilaterally create “safe zones” in Gaza “risk creating harm for civilians, including large-scale loss of life, and must be rejected”, adding:

No ‘safe zone’ is truly safe when it is declared unilaterally or enforced by the presence of armed forces.

The signatories of the statement said that none of the humanitarian organisations they represent have been involved in preparing for the arrival of displaced people in any prospective “safe zone” – or “humanitarian zone” – in Gaza.

Gaza civilians ‘face immediate possibility of starvation’ – as it happened

This blog is now closed. Read our recent coverage at the link below:

www.theguardian.com

 

[PommyMommy]

9min ago

IDF releases footage of commandos raiding Hamas sites in Gaza’s al-Shati camp​

Troops of the IDF's Commando Brigade are seen in a sniper position in the northern Gaza Strip, in an image released November 16, 2023. (Israel Defense Forces)

The Israel Defense Forces releases footage of its Commando Brigade fighting in the Gaza Strip.

It says the commando troops raided Gaza City’s al-Shati camp, along with tanks, combat engineers and air support.

Commando Brigade forces directed 54 airstrikes, navy strikes and artillery shelling, the IDF says, in which Hamas operatives were killed and infrastructure belonging to the terror group was destroyed.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1725197172809859461

 

[Friday Fan]

Look at former American protests against Vietnam war.
I guess present protests are kind of mild in comparison.

JMO

I gotta admit, not since Vietnam have I seen anything like this. This war is sadly dividing people in the same way.

 

[Dotta]

I gotta admit, not since Vietnam have I seen anything like this. This war is sadly dividing people in the same way.

And I repeat.

Protests (by definition)
are full of violent emotions.
Usually negative ones.

Let's not be naive.
They are not Church Rosary meetings.

 

[Simply Southern]

Look at former American protests against Vietnam war.
I guess present protests are kind of mild in comparison.

JMO

Yes, many protested violently.

My family had many active military, one MIA for 4 years and our friends family a POW. We weren't protesting, but begging for help from our government. I must say, the US Government got our guys back.

Biggest injustice, our soldiers returned to hate and anger. No welcome home parades for our guys.
Moo...

 

[JennieM]

1m ago

All communications are now down in Gaza tonight, after the main telecommunications companies confirmed all telecom services are down because of the lack of fuel.

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has said Gaza is in a “total communication blackout” and that he feared the blackouy could heighten panic in the Gaza Strip and erode civil order.

Gaza civilians ‘face immediate possibility of starvation’ – as it happened

This blog is now closed. Read our recent coverage at the link below:

www.theguardian.com

 

[Leve]

.

I believe it's due to lack of self control, lack of ability to compromise, inability to accept laws, guidelines or regulations, grandiose feelings of being right.

Wondered if they played well with others as a child?

We all have negative emotions but most of us don't divert ambulances, vandalize buildings, stop traffic and threaten harm to others.

I just don't think they are special in their cause. Most of us, have a passionate cause and use our actions for positive outcomes.

Moo....

Talk about privileged, I have an opinion so I'm going to inconvenience hundreds or thousands of people. Oh, and put lives at risk. Blah.

 

[JennieM]

3m ago

Sewage is now flowing through the streets of Gaza, the director of the UN agency Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) affairs in the besieged enclave has said.

UNRWA has warned that many of its services in the Gaza Strip have already been shuttered due to a lack of fuel, including dozens of water wells, two water plants and sewage pumping stations.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1725120122505818159

Gaza civilians ‘face immediate possibility of starvation’ – as it happened

This blog is now closed. Read our recent coverage at the link below:

www.theguardian.com

 

[Simply Southern]

3m ago / 9:32 AM PST

Kirby 'still convinced' on intelligence over Hamas' use of Al-Shifa​

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the administration is "still confident" in its intelligence assessment on how Hamas has used Al-Shifa Hospital as a "command and control node" in northern Gaza.

"And most likely, as well as a storage facility and that they were sheltering themselves in a hospital, using the hospital as a shield against military action and placing the patients and medical staff at a greater risk," Kirby said this morning.

The IDF released video yesterday alleging that it found some "grab bags" with gear and weapons stored in one of Al-Shifa's buildings. Hamas has denied assertions from the White House and Israel Defense Forces that it uses Al-Shifa and other hospitals, as well as calling the claims made in the IDF video on Wednesday a lie.

[...]

IDF says hostage's body found near Gaza's main hospital

Follow NBC News' coverage for live updates about the Israel-Hamas war: The IDF storms Al-Shifa hospital for a second time.

www.nbcnews.com

He's very confident in his statement. Holding his cards close, hope it's a winning hand. moo

 

[JennieM]

3m ago

The general manager of the Palestinian telecommunications company, Paltel, said he has urged international bodies to persuade Israel to allow fuel to enter Gaza in order to restore telecommunications to the besieged enclave.

Earlier today, Paltel announced that all communication services – landlines, mobile phones and internet connections – were down due to a lack of fuel.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1725159705796821048

Paltel CEO Abdulmajeed Melhem told Associated Press:

Since the outbreak of the war, there has been no electricity, therefore we have relied on alternative sources to operate the generators. If they (Israel) allow the entry of fuel, this problem will be solved.

 

[JennieM]

Eyewitness says hundreds of soldiers searching hospital​

Rushdi Abu Alouf
Reporting from Khan Younis, Gaza

It's very difficult to get information out of Gaza as communications are down, as I've been reporting.

In the last call I made to our contact in Al-Shifa hospital, he was talking about hundreds of soldiers searching the hospital room by room.

He said the army was also bulldozing some of the external walls of the hospital and tanks were inside the complex.

The BBC has not independently verified his account.

[video at link]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67423274

 

[Friday Fan]

About the synagogue in Armenia.
I think Azeribaijan is exploiting this. When I saw ASALA mentioned in the article, I was like, "What?". My experience has been that Turkey and Azeribaijan like bring out an obscure militant group that operated in the Middle East and the US back from the 70's and 80's as a source of propaganda. This story is mostly appearing in Azeri, Turkish and Israeli press. I think Azeribaijan and Turkey are trying to fan the flames.

• FROM AFP NEWS

Armenian Police Open Probe After Synagogue Vandalised​

Rima Varzhapetyan, President of Armenia's Jewish community, said the synagogue had not been seriously damaged and that no-one was in the building at the time.
Video of the incident was shared by news outlets from Armenia's arch foe Azerbaijan, which has fought multiple wars with its neighbour.


"We didn't know what had happened yet, and Azerbaijani channels were already circulating photos of the building," Varzhapetyan said.

"Obviously, there are some forces that work not against us Jews, but against Armenia. This is outrageous," Varzhapetyan said.

Armenian Police Open Probe After Synagogue Vandalised

Armenia has opened an investigation after the country's only synagogue was vandalised in an apparent arson attack on Wednesday, police said.

www.barrons.com

 

[Momoffourboys]

BREAKING: The IDF announced on Thursday evening that it had found the body of Yehudit Weiss, an Israeli civilian thought to have been taken hostage by Hamas on October 7.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1725216421427241380

 

[JennieM]

47s ago

Norway’s parliament has adopted a resolution calling on the government to be ready to recognise an “independent” Palestinian state.

Passed with an overwhelming majority in parliament, the declaration paves the way for full recognition of Palestine as its own state, but not right now.

The proposition said the assembly “asks the government to be ready to recognise Palestine as an independent state when recognition could have a positive impact on the peace process, without making a final peace accord a condition”, AFP reported.

Iceland, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic and Romania are among countries to have already given legal recognition to a Palestinian state.

Gaza civilians ‘face immediate possibility of starvation’ – as it happened

This blog is now closed. Read our recent coverage at the link below:

www.theguardian.com