Israel - Palestinian militants launch massive attack, 7 Oct 2023 #2
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Two Thai workers who were reported missing or kidnapped by Hamas have been found near Nahal Oz . They hid in the fields for 6 days. - reported by the local media.
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What was Hamas thinking? For over three decades, it has had the same brutal idea of victory
In the three and a half decades since it began as an underground militant group, Hamas has pursued a consistently violent strategy aimed at rolling back Israeli rule.
www.seattletimes.com
10/11/23
JERUSALEM (AP) — In the three and a half decades since it began as an underground militant group, Hamas has pursued a consistently violent strategy aimed at rolling back Israeli rule — and it has made steady progress despite bringing enormous suffering to both sides of the conflict.
But its stunning incursion into Israel over the weekend marks its deadliest gambit yet, and the already unprecedented response from Israel threatens to bring an end to its 16-year rule over the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s retaliation for the Hamas assault, in which over 1,200 people were killed in Israel and dozens dragged into Gaza as hostages, will likely bring a far greater magnitude of death and destruction to Gaza, where 2.3 million Palestinians have nowhere to flee and where 1,100 have already been killed.
Hamas officials say they are prepared for any scenario, including a drawn-out war, and that allies like Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah will join the battle if Israel goes too far.
[..]
“I don’t think anyone really knows what the endgame is at the moment,” said Tahani Mustafa, a Palestinian analyst at the Crisis Group, an international think tank. But given the amount of planning involved in the assault, “it’s difficult to imagine they haven’t tried to strategize every possible scenario.”
Shaul Shay, an Israeli researcher and retired colonel who served in military intelligence, said Hamas “miscalculated” Israel’s response and now faces a far worse conflict than it had anticipated.
“I hope and I believe that Israel will not stop until Hamas has been defeated in the Gaza Strip, and I don’t think that this was their expectation before the operation,” Shay said of Hamas.
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Live update: IDF: 361 out of 854 bodies of civilians brought to rabbinate are identified, along with 222 soldiers
UK government arranges flights out of Israel for Britons
Helen CattPolitical correspondent
The UK government has said it will arrange flights to get British nationals out of Israel.
The Foreign Office has announced it will "facilitate" commercial flights to the UK for those wanting to leave the country.
The first flight is due to depart from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv today.
A "rapid deployment team'" has also been sent to Israel to assist British citizens on the ground.
Umambiguous support, but with a note of caution
James Landale
Diplomatic correspondent
Antony Blinken’s message was clear and unambiguous: US support for Israel will sustain.
He spoke personally about his Jewish ancestry; his personal horror at the Hamas attacks.
There must, he said, be moral clarity about condemning Hamas’ brutality which both he, and Netanyahu, compared to that of the Islamic State group.
Blinken promised Israel more ammunition to re-stock its air defences. He promised bipartisan support in Congress for more military assistance.
But there was also a note of caution. The US Secretary of State said Israel had a right to defend itself but how it did that mattered.
He said democracies distinguish themselves from terrorists by holding themselves to different standards, holding themselves to account when they fall short.
"Our humanity, the value we place on human life and human dignity... is what makes us who we are,” he said.
"That’s why it is so important to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians. And that’s why we mourn the loss of every innocent life, civilians of every faith, every nationality that have been killed."
This was a clear echo of President Biden’s call yesterday for Israel to follow the rules of war as it bombards Gaza.
From Netanyahu, there was a challenge to his neighbours in the Middle East. Hamas, he said, should be treated like ISIS and “spat out from the community of nations".
The leadership of Hamas is based in several Gulf countries, most particularly Qatar.
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Video at link..
www.bbc.com
''Warning: This article contains details that some may find distressing
The last videos taken before the horror began, show it was a festival like any other - young people, dancing at dawn.
According to some accounts, there were up to 4,000 people in attendance. From the footage, they appear to be mostly under 30.
They had gathered in a remote area of southern Israel for the Supernova festival - an event that had promised dance, music, art and drinks at a secret location.
Ticket holders were told, nearer the time, to head to a site north of the Re'im kibbutz, about 6km (3.7 miles) east of Gaza. The party's organisers promised a "journey of unity and love".
www.bbc.com
''The UK is arranging flights to get stranded British nationals out of Israel, the Foreign Office has said.
The first plane will leave Tel Aviv on Thursday, with more planned "in the coming days, subject to security".
Those eligible to leave will be contacted directly and British nationals should not go to airports unless they are called to.
A team of UK diplomats trained to operate in crises has also been sent to Israel to assist British nationals.
The UK government said earlier this week it would not arrange evacuation flights because commercial routes were still available.
But British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air France, Lufthansa and Emirates have all suspended flights in recent days.
The flights announced by the government will be arranged by the Foreign Office but are commercial services. Each passenger will be charged £300.
A statement said British nationals, including dual nationals, and dependants if travelling with a British national normally resident in the UK, would be invited to take up seats''
Supernova festival: How massacre unfolded from verified video and social media
The footage that shows joy turning to horror at an Israeli music festival in the desert.
www.bbc.com
The last videos taken before the horror began, show it was a festival like any other - young people, dancing at dawn.
According to some accounts, there were up to 4,000 people in attendance. From the footage, they appear to be mostly under 30.
They had gathered in a remote area of southern Israel for the Supernova festival - an event that had promised dance, music, art and drinks at a secret location.
Ticket holders were told, nearer the time, to head to a site north of the Re'im kibbutz, about 6km (3.7 miles) east of Gaza. The party's organisers promised a "journey of unity and love".
UK arranges flights for Britons stranded in Israel
The first flight is set to leave Tel Aviv later on Thursday, the Foreign Office says.
www.bbc.com
The first plane will leave Tel Aviv on Thursday, with more planned "in the coming days, subject to security".
Those eligible to leave will be contacted directly and British nationals should not go to airports unless they are called to.
A team of UK diplomats trained to operate in crises has also been sent to Israel to assist British nationals.
The UK government said earlier this week it would not arrange evacuation flights because commercial routes were still available.
But British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air France, Lufthansa and Emirates have all suspended flights in recent days.
The flights announced by the government will be arranged by the Foreign Office but are commercial services. Each passenger will be charged £300.
A statement said British nationals, including dual nationals, and dependants if travelling with a British national normally resident in the UK, would be invited to take up seats''
Israel dropping leaflets warning Gaza residents to take shelter
BBCCopyright: BBC
We've just had this picture of a leaflet being dropped from the sky in the city of Beit Lahia in the Gaza Strip.
It says because of Hamas's actions, the Israel Defense Force is taking action.
The leaflet warns residents to go to shelters and says buildings where Hamas are operating will be destroyed.
Israelis reporting for military duty in growing numbers
Nick BeakeReporting from Tel Aviv
At the Ministry of Defense, here in Tel Aviv, there is always a stream of young people arriving in green fatigues and armed with guns.
Military service is compulsory in Israel, which often creates a life-long bond with the army.
But now, Israelis are reporting for duty in increasing numbers at military bases across the country.
Some young people arrive in civilian clothes, accompanied by their parents, and later re-emerge in combat gear.
It is a revolving door of recruitment for what Israel says is its war effort that will ultimately destroy Hamas.
Earlier, a taxi driver who had agreed to take us out for some filming rang apologetically to say he couldn’t make it because his skills as a search and rescue specialist were needed.
Beneath a huge Israeli flag projected onto the side of a shopping centre, one woman tells us she’s desperate to be called up but has been told she’s not needed for now.
But hundreds of thousands are required - and many are now heading south to towards the much-anticipated ground operation into Gaza.
'We hope for a ceasefire so we can go out to buy food and drink'
Yolande KnellBBC Middle East correspondent, Jerusalem
Getting in touch with contacts in the Gaza Strip is becoming much harder. Mobile phone and internet service is poor and without electricity, people are often relying on private generators with their fuel running out.
A resident of Beach refugee camp managed to post a video of the aftermath of an Israeli strike this morning, which local health officials say killed 15 people from two families.
“A huge strike hit one of the most crowded refugee camps without any warning. It’s literally a massacre,” wrote Almeqdad Jameel. His footage shows rescuers struggling to carry out a body through the rubble.
I speak briefly to a Christian schoolteacher I know, who tells me her neighbourhood in Gaza City feels safer today as “the shelling isn’t as close”. She tries to stay optimistic, saying: “We just hope for a ceasefire so we can go out and get food and drinks.”
For a time, Palestinian writer Abdulhadi Alijla – who comes from Gaza but lives overseas – was unable to reach loved ones back home. “Every day, I find myself grappling with the terrifying possibility that my family might be obliterated at any moment,” he has written on Facebook.
13m ago
Iran’s foreign minister accused Israel of seeking “genocide” by enforcing a siege against Gaza, according to Iranian state TV, before a visit to Iraq’s capital on Thursday.
“Today, the continuation of war crimes by Netanyahu and Zionists against the civilians of Gaza, besieging, cutting off water and electricity, and denying entry of medicine and food, has created conditions where the Zionists are seeking a genocide of all people in Gaza,” Reuters reports Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.
“The war we witness today in the Gaza Strip is not just the Zionists’ war against Hamas, it is the Zionists’ war against all Palestinians.”
www.theguardian.com
Iran’s foreign minister accused Israel of seeking “genocide” by enforcing a siege against Gaza, according to Iranian state TV, before a visit to Iraq’s capital on Thursday.
“Today, the continuation of war crimes by Netanyahu and Zionists against the civilians of Gaza, besieging, cutting off water and electricity, and denying entry of medicine and food, has created conditions where the Zionists are seeking a genocide of all people in Gaza,” Reuters reports Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.
“The war we witness today in the Gaza Strip is not just the Zionists’ war against Hamas, it is the Zionists’ war against all Palestinians.”
Israel-Hamas war live: Israeli military has told 1.1 million in Gaza to move further south in next 24 hours, UN says
UN spokesperson says such a movement would have ‘devastating humanitarian consequences’ as Israel prepares for a ground offensive; Palestinian death toll rises to 1,537, according to Gaza’s health ministry
18m ago
www.theguardian.com
Damascus and Aleppo airports reported out of action after Israeli attacks
Citing Syrian state media, Reuters has reported that following Israeli attacks, both Damascus and Aleppo airports are out of action.
Israel-Hamas war live: Israeli military has told 1.1 million in Gaza to move further south in next 24 hours, UN says
UN spokesperson says such a movement would have ‘devastating humanitarian consequences’ as Israel prepares for a ground offensive; Palestinian death toll rises to 1,537, according to Gaza’s health ministry
32m ago13.09 BST
Reuters has a quick snap that Germany is also planning evacuation flights – with an announcement that two flights are planned from neighbouring Jordan for Sunday.
34m ago13.07 BST
The British government is organising flights to repatriate British nationals from Israel, with the first due to leave from Tel Aviv today.
The move, announced by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), comes after a series of airlines serving the UK and Israel suspended services.
British nationals will be invited to take up seats on the flights along with dual nationals, and dependants if travelling with a British national normally resident in the UK.
The flights are paid commercial flights costing £300 ($369 / €348) each, which would be charged to the family or individual taking up the seat. It added that “the children and other dependants of British diplomats will also be given seats, as we have a duty of care to our staff.”
A Rapid Deployment Team has also been sent to Israel to assist British citizens on the ground, the FCDO said in a statement.
“Vulnerable British nationals will be prioritised for these flights. At this stage we will contact those who are eligible for the flights directly and British nationals should not make their way to the airport unless they are called,” it said.
www.theguardian.com
Reuters has a quick snap that Germany is also planning evacuation flights – with an announcement that two flights are planned from neighbouring Jordan for Sunday.
34m ago13.07 BST
First UK evacuation flight to depart from Tel Aviv later today
Ben QuinnThe British government is organising flights to repatriate British nationals from Israel, with the first due to leave from Tel Aviv today.
The move, announced by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), comes after a series of airlines serving the UK and Israel suspended services.
British nationals will be invited to take up seats on the flights along with dual nationals, and dependants if travelling with a British national normally resident in the UK.
The flights are paid commercial flights costing £300 ($369 / €348) each, which would be charged to the family or individual taking up the seat. It added that “the children and other dependants of British diplomats will also be given seats, as we have a duty of care to our staff.”
A Rapid Deployment Team has also been sent to Israel to assist British citizens on the ground, the FCDO said in a statement.
“Vulnerable British nationals will be prioritised for these flights. At this stage we will contact those who are eligible for the flights directly and British nationals should not make their way to the airport unless they are called,” it said.
Israel-Hamas war live: Israeli military has told 1.1 million in Gaza to move further south in next 24 hours, UN says
UN spokesperson says such a movement would have ‘devastating humanitarian consequences’ as Israel prepares for a ground offensive; Palestinian death toll rises to 1,537, according to Gaza’s health ministry
1h ago
Local media in Syria had earlier reported air defenses were used at the airports against attacks.
There are fears among governments that the violence could descend into a larger war, involving Israel’s neighbours, Syria and Lebanon.
www.theguardian.com
Syrian state news says Israel launched air attacks on Damascus, Aleppo airports
Reports are coming out now…Local media in Syria had earlier reported air defenses were used at the airports against attacks.
There are fears among governments that the violence could descend into a larger war, involving Israel’s neighbours, Syria and Lebanon.
Israel-Hamas war live: Israeli military has told 1.1 million in Gaza to move further south in next 24 hours, UN says
UN spokesperson says such a movement would have ‘devastating humanitarian consequences’ as Israel prepares for a ground offensive; Palestinian death toll rises to 1,537, according to Gaza’s health ministry
Crossing out of Gaza is open, says Egypt
Egypt's foreign ministry has asked Israel to stop missile attacks near the Rafah border crossing in Gaza, as strikes are making it difficult to operate.However, Egypt says the crossing is currently open.
Earlier, we reported how the crossing into Egypt is the only way out of Gaza - but that air strikes had forced it to close yesterday. Even when open, the waiting list remains long, with daily places limited at around 400 in normal times.
3m ago
Diplomats in Brussels have said that defence ministers at today’s Nato meeting were left stunned after Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant showed them “shocking” and “horrific” video from the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians.
Reuters reports that Gallant, who remotely attended the one-hour Nato session about Israel, briefed ministers on the attack and showed them an “uncensored video of Hamas atrocities”.
“It was horrific. It brought home to everyone the reality of what happened,” one western diplomat said.
Another source spoke of “graphic and shocking footage” and described Nato allies as united in their support for Israel.
The video had “graphic elements” with “some blurring to protect the dignity of victims”, an official in the room said.
My colleague Lili Bayer is live blogging the details of the Nato meeting here.
www.theguardian.com
Diplomats in Brussels have said that defence ministers at today’s Nato meeting were left stunned after Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant showed them “shocking” and “horrific” video from the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians.
Reuters reports that Gallant, who remotely attended the one-hour Nato session about Israel, briefed ministers on the attack and showed them an “uncensored video of Hamas atrocities”.
“It was horrific. It brought home to everyone the reality of what happened,” one western diplomat said.
Another source spoke of “graphic and shocking footage” and described Nato allies as united in their support for Israel.
The video had “graphic elements” with “some blurring to protect the dignity of victims”, an official in the room said.
My colleague Lili Bayer is live blogging the details of the Nato meeting here.
Palestinian death toll passes 1,500 – as it happened
UN spokesperson says such a movement would have ‘devastating humanitarian consequences’ as Israel prepares for a ground offensive; Palestinian death toll rises to 1,537, according to Gaza’s health ministry
'My mother uses an oxygen tank. She was kidnapped by Hamas'
Lucy Manning
Special correspondent
PA Media
Sharon Lifschitz and Noam Sagi in London today
While Antony Blinken and Benjamin Netanyahu were holding their event in Israel, another news conference was taking place in London.
Two British relatives of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza called for them to be released.
Noam Sagi’s 74-year-old mother was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Saturday. Close to tears, Noam asked: “What is her crime? Why is she a hostage? For being Jewish in Israel?”
Noam said his mother, Ada, should have been coming to London today to celebrate her 75th birthday.
"This is a second Holocaust," he said. "They’ve been gassed, burned, butchered, slaughtered and killed. Mostly young kids and elderly people."
Sharon Lifschitz’s elederly parents were also taken from the kibbutz. Her mother uses an oxygen tank.
"Bring these people back home," said Sharon, also in tears.
Her parents were peace activists, she said, who had many Palestinian friends. They had visited Gaza and would collect sick Palestinians from the border to take them for medical appointments.
I met Noam at his house on Monday, two days after his mum was kidnapped. He showed me pictures of her home being attacked.
When I asked him today what the international community could do, and if it was right Israel was stopping the supply of electricity and water until the hostages are released, he said: "Lucy, you saw the pictures.
"You have been in my house and you saw everything. I ask the BBC to call it for what it is. Hamas is an organisation that came to do one thing."
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The Israeli Air Forces struck an elite Hamas unit whose militants led Saturday's attack on Israel - Jerusalem Post.
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El Al to fly on Saturday for 1st time in 41 years to bring reservists to Israel
El Al Israel Airlines announces that for the first time since 1982, it will fly on a Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, to bring back Israelis called up for emergency military reserve duty as well as security and rescue forces stranded abroad.
Israel’s national airline says it is preparing to operate flights this Saturday from the US and Asia to help bring back Israeli army reservists whose return to the country is vital during the current war with the Hamas terror group.
Reserve soldiers will be flying back on Saturday free of charge on two Boeing 787 aircraft leaving from New York and Bangkok. The cost of the flights will be borne by El Al and large US financial institutions, El Al says in a statement.
El Al says breaking its decades-long policy of not flying on the Jewish Sabbath has received halachic approval as the rescue flights are considered part of what is known in Hebrew as pikuah nefesh — the Jewish legal principle that saving a life trumps nearly all other religious requirements.
El Al to fly on Saturday for 1st time in 41 years to bring reservists to Israel
* * *
www.timesofisrael.com
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TRIGGER WARNING Eye witness recounts horrific details of Hamas cruelty on pregnant women, children and innocent Israeli civilians 'We see a pregnant lady on the floor, and we turn her around...and the stomach is wide open, there's an unborn baby connected to the cord, stabbed with a knife, and the mother shot in the head' Yossi Landau Commander, Zaka South tells our
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