Israel - Palestinian militants launch massive attack, 7 Oct 2023 #13

[Vern]

Here we go:

Ceasefire HOLDS !!

CEASEFIRE INCIDENTS UPDATE: Israeli troops along Al Rasheed street west Gaza city fired a number of warning shots at residents nearing their positions.The ceasefire still holds from the overnight hours.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729377014736474480

 

[Friday Fan]

!!?? I'm thinking straight up Iranian propaganda perhaps?? All I can think of is that commercial with the ship, "Hello, we are a lighthouse". It takes a really, really long time for an AC carrier to "divert it's course" and she's got escorts. Unusual indeed.

An unusual military incident between Iran and the USA tonight in the Gulf: Iranian naval forces surrounded the American aircraft carrier Eisenhower, and according to the Iranians forced it to change its sailing route

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729373013588787200

BBM I learn to pause my reactions lately.

 

[MyBelle]

You know and I know that will never happen.

It happened with Lyndon Johnson, and Nixon. I'm optimistic it will happen here.

JMO

 

[Dotta]

"Why can't people leave Gaza? ​

Gaza Strip blockade explained amid Israel evacuation order.​

Gaza is surrounded by blockades imposed by Israel and Egypt, which restrict movement.

Israel prevents access to and from Gaza by sea and air.

Land movement is restricted to three crossings:
the Egypt-controlled Rafah crossing
and Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings, which Israel controls.
The Israel-Gaza perimeter consists of barbed wire fences,
underground concrete walls to prevent tunneling
and a 325-foot no-go and high-risk zone.

There are just two ways to leave Gaza:
through Israel,
and through Egypt, which is strongly opposed to allowing people from Gaza to cross into its territory.

Egypt fears being drawn deeper into the crisis.
Gazans 'must stay steadfast and remain on their land'.

Egyptian officials have historically encouraged Palestinians to remain in Gaza, in part because accepting refugees could widen the conflict.

Why is Gaza under blockade?​

The 16-year-old blockade began after Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip.

Israel says its economic and physical blockade is necessary to isolate Hamas.

Backed by Egypt, the Israeli government has restricted the import of goods they say could be used for weaponry and blocked many Palestinians from leaving Gaza.

The result has been a starved economy, astronomically high unemployment,
and a buckling hospital system."

Why can't people leave Gaza? Gaza Strip blockade explained amid Israel evacuation order.

Israeli military announced an evacuation of the Gaza Strip Friday while Hamas called for residents to remain. Here's how the blockade affects Gaza.

eu.usatoday.com

"A blockade has been imposed by Israel and Egypt on the movement of goods and people in and out of the Gaza Strip since 2007 following Hamas' takeover in 2007.

The blockade aimed to isolate Hamas and prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza.

It has also led to significant humanitarian challenges,
as it restricts the flow of essential goods, contributes to economic hardship, and limits the freedom of movement for Gaza's residents."

Blockade of the Gaza Strip - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Friday Fan]

Drone shows destruction of seven weeks of Gaza war | Reuters Video

Drone footage shows wide-scale destruction in Gaza city on Sunday (November 26) after seven weeks of war.

www.reuters.com

 

[Dotta]

Drone shows destruction of seven weeks of Gaza war | Reuters Video

Drone footage shows wide-scale destruction in Gaza city on Sunday (November 26) after seven weeks of war.

www.reuters.com

With coming ground operation in South Gaza and the rubble of Northern part,
I have a question:

Where is the civilian population of nearly 2 million people going to find shelter now?

Winter is coming.
What about medical service?

What is the plan?

Does anybody know?

Are they going to stay in the southern part with battles in the north?

And then evacuate to the northern part with battles in the south?

And live in ruins?

JMO

 

[margarita25]

was there any rhyme or reason as to whom they killed and whom they took as hostages? ..or is it part of the terror that it was just random? I did see that at least a few young girls were released (15-16 yr olds). I have also seen pictures and the hostages look "OK" but I am not sure if those are older photos that are in the news. I know that the IDF expected the hostages to be starving and/or tortured....there were articles about re-feeding.

Great question.

It seems to me it is all over the map, but there is also perhaps strategy within the randomness, imo.

They killed some babies and small children, took some.

Killed some children and elderly, took some children and elderly.

Raped and killed some girls and women, took some girls and women.

Killed some men, took some men.

Killed some soldiers, took some soldiers.

Killed some family members, took some family members.

I think they wanted a variety of hostages for their strategic purposes of negotiating for prisoners, negotiating during retaliation process, etc.

It is also my opinion that sadly some may have been taken for the purpose of sexual assaulting them. While there have been no reports that I’ve seen yet confirming sexual assault in captivity, considering the number of rapes committed on October 7, and interrogated Hamas confirming rape was a goal during the attack, this possibility can not be discounted. If there are sexual prisoners/hostages so to speak, I’m not sure that they would be released, but that is yet to remain seen.

So far some hostages have mentioned “severe” conditions, and family members mentioned “difficult conversations,” but we don’t know if this also includes sexual assault. Considering Hamas’ propensity to lie and deny, and try to make it appear the hostages were treated great in captivity, imo they may not release hostages who can attest to sexual assault, torture, etc. I don’t know if these women would continue to be kept alive for rape as sex slaves - the girls could be killed after they are used and abused and tortured, but imo they could be kept alive for the purpose of rape, as seen in instances of other radical Islam groups like ISIL that have invaded villages, killed their family members, and abducted the females, for example as in the Yazidi massacre in which there is endless reference out there.

I’ve seen some ridiculous claims on two major Middle Eastern outlets with Palestinian-affiliated men painting a much different picture of the hostages’ time in captivity than what some of the hostages’ have recounted themselves so far.

I think that maybe years in the future, we may hear from the younger hostages what actually happened to some in those tunnels.

 

[Dotta]

"Who has the 'missing' Israeli hostages? ​

Palestinian Islamic Jihad - ​

who seek the destruction of Israel - have 'dozens' of captives including ten-month-old baby…​

and it's feared others may be held by gangsters.​

IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee yesterday declared Kfir, his four-year-old brother Ariel and mother Shiri had been taken to Khan Younis in southern Gaza and handed to elements of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) -
a jihadist group that seeks to destroy Israel and has historically rejected any diplomatic engagement with Tel-Aviv.

Hamas officials also acknowledged that several of the hostages were now in PIJ custody, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who led the effort to broker the ceasefire, said they
'may never be able to reach them'.

And in yet another layer of complexity,
some Israelis are feared to have been scooped up by civilian gangs who capitalised on the chaos of October 7 to seize hostages of their own.

The Qatari Prime Minister said yesterday that Hamas must locate the remaining hostages whom he said were being held by
'civilians and gangs'.

'If they get additional women and children, there will be an extension,'
Sheikh Mohammed said.

'We don't yet have any clear information how many they can find...
one of the purposes
[of the pause]
is they will have time to search for the rest of the missing people'."

Who has the 'missing' Israeli hostages?

Hamas officials said several hostages were now in PIJ custody, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said they 'may never be able to reach them'

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Mex]

14m ago

Death toll of journalists killed in Israel-Hamas war reaches 57, CPJ says​

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says 57 journalists have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

The first month of the Israel-Gaza war was the deadliest month for journalists since CPJ began documenting journalist fatalities in 1992, the New York-based non-profit said in a statement.

It said that as of Monday:

• 57 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 50 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese.
• 11 journalists were reported injured.
• 3 journalists were reported missing.
• 19 journalists were reported arrested.
• Multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship, and killings of family members.

The CPJ said it was also investigating numerous unconfirmed reports of other journalists “being killed, missing, detained, hurt, or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes”.

Sherif Mansour, the organisation’s Middle East and North Africa programme coordinator, said:

Israel-Hamas war: 57 journalists killed in conflict, Committee to Protect Journalists says – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Follow our new live blog here

www.theguardian.com

What is it?

Is it that the blanket bombing is so intense that anyone near is annihilated as a matter of course?

Or are the journalists being deliberately targeted.

Covering a war zone is always hazardous and it is expected that some of those recording events will be killed or injured - that is the nature of the beast.

The number of journalists being killed in Gaza must be unprecedented.

The ‘unprecedented’ death toll among Gaza’s journalists​

But in a letter to news outlets, Israel’s communications minister alleged that photojournalists whose work appeared in their pages were “participants in this horrifying event”. Israeli’s former defence minister and current minister without portfolio Benny Gantz suggested that if journalists knew of the attack beforehand, they are “no different than terrorists and should be treated as such.” Danny Danon, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, said “we will hunt them down together with the terrorists.”

The ‘unprecedented’ death toll among Gaza’s journalists

Israel’s assault on Hamas has led to the deaths of dozens of journalists in Gaza. Press freedom groups fear ‘reckless’ allegations against reporters covering the crisis will put more at risk, Alex Woodward reports

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Mex]

I'm really worried about how many people will just eat this nonsense up. Lol.

It doesn't negate the fact that Hamas deliberately targeted civilians, but there are two sides to every story and both deserve to be heard before passing judgement.
My opinion

 

[margarita25]

It doesn't negate the fact that Hamas deliberately targeted civilians, but there are two sides to every story and both deserve to be heard before passing judgement.
My opinion

Nothing can justify the atrocities committed on October 7, two sides or not. I’m not Jewish OR Palestinian, and had Israel done what Hamas did on October 7, I’d be denouncing them instead.

Some atrocities, from my post a few days ago. Seems a reminder is needed, which is BAFFLING to me. If people don’t get this by now, they never will.

“…atrocities including gang raping the girl then shooting her in the head during the sexual assault at the festival, cutting off the little girl’s hand/arm and she bled to death alone, raping the young girls in their safe room, killing the baby inside the pregnant woman then killing her, raping the corpse of a girl, tying two groups of 10 children together and burning them alive in Be’eri, tying the father and child together and burning them alive, burning babies alive, beheading, gouging eyes out, burning families alive in their homes, the list goes on and on.

Anyone who stands with Hamas supports these acts. Either you’re with them, or you’re against them, there can not be any in between when it comes to such atrocities.

——

Bringing forward this video, not sure what part of this people aren’t getting.

WARNING EXTREMELY GRAPHIC:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1713368767235838164

 

[margarita25]

Released child hostages share heartwarming reunion with family dog

Their four-legged friend, Rodney, did not skip a beat before asking for a belly rub.

www.jpost.com

* @dotr, you’re so right about the dogs

 

[margarita25]

Mossad, US spy chiefs meet Qatari PM to discuss 'building on' Gaza truce | The Jerusalem Post

The outcome of the talks, which were also attended by Egyptian officials, was unclear.

www.jpost.com

Mossad chief heads to Qatar to meet CIA chief, Qatari officials​

—-

Israel at war: What happened on day 53? | The Jerusalem Post

10 Israeli hostages returned to Israel on Tuesday, bringing the total released to 63.

www.jpost.com

Israel expects 10 more hostages to be released on Tuesday​

11 Israeli hostages returned to Israel on Monday, bringing the total released to 66.​

——

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-november-28-2023/

Mossad chief in Qatar as PM receives list of Israeli hostages set for release Tuesday​

PM’s office says names of abductees under review * Blinken to make 3rd trip to region * 11 Israeli hostages freed by Hamas Monday reunite with families at Tel Aviv hospital​

 

[dotr]

Antisemitic incidents in Germany rose by 320% after Hamas attacked Israel, a monitoring group says

BERLIN (AP) — A group tracking antisemitism in Germany said Tuesday that it documented a drastic increase of antisemitic incidents in the country in the month after Hamas attacked Israel

www.thestar.com

''While Germany's government has been one of Israel's staunchest supporters following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and the subsequent Gaza war, there were outbreaks of violence at several street protests, in Berlin especially.
Jews in the German capital reported antisemitic hostility in grocery stores, on public transportation or from neighbors, and deplored that uninvolved bystanders often looked the other way instead of showing support.
“Berliners are called upon not to leave those affected by antisemitism alone, especially in everyday situations,” said Ruth Hatlapa from RIAS.

The report pointed out that since Oct 7, even more than before, Jews are once again trying to make themselves invisible to avoid being attacked.
“Jews are hiding signs and symbols: a cap over the kippah, the Star of David pendant under the scarf, they no longer speak Hebrew on the street,” the report notes. “Jewish life in Berlin has become less visible, less openly lived.”

 

[Elley Mae]

Mossad chief heads to Qatar to meet CIA chief, Qatari officials

Mossad chief David Barnea landed in Qatar on Tuesday, where he is expected to meet with head of the CIA Willia

m.jpost.com

 

[Elley Mae]

Sinwar allegedly arrived in a tunnel where she and other hostages were being held, checked how they are, and told them in fluent Hebrew that they would not be harmed.

Women held hostage by Hamas in Gaza kept in cages - report | The Jerusalem Post

Israeli hostages released by Hamas speak out about the state of their captivity in Gaza.

m.jpost.com

 

[margarita25]

Antisemitic incidents in Germany rose by 320% after Hamas attacked Israel, a monitoring group says

BERLIN (AP) — A group tracking antisemitism in Germany said Tuesday that it documented a drastic increase of antisemitic incidents in the country in the month after Hamas attacked Israel

www.thestar.com

''While Germany's government has been one of Israel's staunchest supporters following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and the subsequent Gaza war, there were outbreaks of violence at several street protests, in Berlin especially.
Jews in the German capital reported antisemitic hostility in grocery stores, on public transportation or from neighbors, and deplored that uninvolved bystanders often looked the other way instead of showing support.
“Berliners are called upon not to leave those affected by antisemitism alone, especially in everyday situations,” said Ruth Hatlapa from RIAS.

The report pointed out that since Oct 7, even more than before, Jews are once again trying to make themselves invisible to avoid being attacked.
“Jews are hiding signs and symbols: a cap over the kippah, the Star of David pendant under the scarf, they no longer speak Hebrew on the street,” the report notes. “Jewish life in Berlin has become less visible, less openly lived.”

It is horrible the Jewish population has to experience this.

And as we know, there is strong anti-Muslim sentiment and acts of violence up on Muslims as well, as we’ve seen, for example the child getting stabbed. I’m sure some may not be so inclined to speak Arabic, wear scarves on the street either.

All of this was predicted, we knew there would be increased anti-sentiment on both sides.

 

[margarita25]

Sinwar allegedly arrived in a tunnel where she and other hostages were being held, checked how they are, and told them in fluent Hebrew that they would not be harmed.

Women held hostage by Hamas in Gaza kept in cages - report | The Jerusalem Post

Israeli hostages released by Hamas speak out about the state of their captivity in Gaza.

m.jpost.com

From the above link:

Women held hostage by Hamas in Gaza kept in cages - report​

Hostages speak out about the state of their captivity.​

Above article says “claim is not the first of its kind,” that in days immediately following October 7 attacks, “videos from Hamas's Telegram channel showed child hostages being kept in cages for the majority of their time in captivity.”

* I had missed this.

This is typical and similar to ISIL/ISIS, with a lot of reference about women/children in cages available out there (not posting links so as to not detract from immediate, specific conflict at hand.)

 

[margarita25]

Antisemitic incidents in Germany rose by 320% after Hamas attacked Israel, a monitoring group says

BERLIN (AP) — A group tracking antisemitism in Germany said Tuesday that it documented a drastic increase of antisemitic incidents in the country in the month after Hamas attacked Israel

www.thestar.com

''While Germany's government has been one of Israel's staunchest supporters following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and the subsequent Gaza war, there were outbreaks of violence at several street protests, in Berlin especially.
Jews in the German capital reported antisemitic hostility in grocery stores, on public transportation or from neighbors, and deplored that uninvolved bystanders often looked the other way instead of showing support.
“Berliners are called upon not to leave those affected by antisemitism alone, especially in everyday situations,” said Ruth Hatlapa from RIAS.

The report pointed out that since Oct 7, even more than before, Jews are once again trying to make themselves invisible to avoid being attacked.
“Jews are hiding signs and symbols: a cap over the kippah, the Star of David pendant under the scarf, they no longer speak Hebrew on the street,” the report notes. “Jewish life in Berlin has become less visible, less openly lived.”

Reminds me a little bit of something, Jews hiding signs and symbols, people looking the other way…gee, wonder what it is.

1930s ring a bell?

 

[JennieM]

What is it?

Is it that the blanket bombing is so intense that anyone near is annihilated as a matter of course?

Or are the journalists being deliberately targeted.

Covering a war zone is always hazardous and it is expected that some of those recording events will be killed or injured - that is the nature of the beast.

The number of journalists being killed in Gaza must be unprecedented.

The ‘unprecedented’ death toll among Gaza’s journalists​

But in a letter to news outlets, Israel’s communications minister alleged that photojournalists whose work appeared in their pages were “participants in this horrifying event”. Israeli’s former defence minister and current minister without portfolio Benny Gantz suggested that if journalists knew of the attack beforehand, they are “no different than terrorists and should be treated as such.” Danny Danon, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, said “we will hunt them down together with the terrorists.”

The ‘unprecedented’ death toll among Gaza’s journalists

Israel’s assault on Hamas has led to the deaths of dozens of journalists in Gaza. Press freedom groups fear ‘reckless’ allegations against reporters covering the crisis will put more at risk, Alex Woodward reports

www.independent.co.uk

From my original post: “CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties.”

I guess this is on Hamas too because Hamas started the whole thing in Oct and it is if…then.

ETA: I detest Hamas so badly but this whole narrative that Israel can do no wrong, it’s just getting too much for my old brain.