Israel - Palestinian militants launch massive attack, 7 Oct 2023 #4

[margarita25]

• The US has warned that the war between Israel and militant group Hamas could escalate, as American warships headed to the area amid growing clashes on the country’s northern border with Lebanon. “There is a risk of an escalation of this conflict, the opening of a second front in the north and, of course, Iran’s involvement,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS.
  US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced deployment of a second aircraft carrier group late on Saturday, calling it a sign of “our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war.”

“There is a risk of an escalation of this conflict, the opening of a second front in the north and, of course, Iran’s involvement,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS.


—————-

Transcript: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on "Face the Nation," Oct. 15, 2023

The following is a transcript of an interview with National Secuirty Adviser Jake Sullivan that aired on "Face the Nation" on Oct. 15, 2023.

www.cbsnews.com

“MARGARET BRENNAN: The United States deployed a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean. I'm wondering if you have new intelligence that shows that the threat from Iran is growing.

SULLIVAN: We don't have some specific new intelligence that the threat is different today from yesterday. The threat yesterday was real. The threat today is real. There is a risk of an escalation of this conflict, the opening of a second front in the north, and of course of Iran's involvement- that is a risk. And that's a risk that we have been mindful of since the start. It's why the President moves so rapidly and decisively to get an aircraft carrier into the eastern Mediterranean, to get aircraft into the Gulf, because he wants to send a very clear message of deterrence to any state or any actor that would seek to exploit this situation. And he said it best when he spoke last week, in the- in the aftermath of this brutal and vicious terrorist attack to any state that would think about doing this: don't.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, Iran's foreign minister put out a public statement saying that Iran cannot remain a spectator. What does that mean to you? Are you concerned about proxy forces? Are you concerned that the State of Iran is getting drawn in?

SULLIVAN: Well, first, we are concerned about proxy forces. Lebanese Hezbollah, a proxy force of Iran, is there, a raid on Israel's northern border with considerable military capacity and a history of attacking the State of Israel. And in fact, we have seen in the last few days skirmishes across that northern border that only enhances the risk of escalation. But of course, we can't rule out that Iran would choose to get directly engaged some way; we have to prepare for every possible contingency. That's exactly what the President has done. That is part of what has motivated the President's movement of these assets, to send that clear message of deterrence to make clear that this war should not escalate, and that no other actor should seek to exploit this situation.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Is there diplomatic outreach to Iran right now?

SULLIVAN: We have means of communicating privately with Iran. And we have availed ourselves of those means over the past few days to make clear privately that which we have said publicly.”


——

• Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said the US would suffer “significant damages” if the war in Gaza spills over into a larger conflict, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday. “We have conveyed our message to the Zionist regime through its allies that if they do not cease their atrocities in Gaza, Iran cannot simply remain an observer,” Iranian state media cited Amir-Abdollahian as telling the network.

Iran warns Israel of regional escalation if Gaza ground offensive launched

Iran warns that any Israeli ground offensive in Gaza could expand the scope of the conflict elsewhere in Middle East.

www.aljazeera.com

““If the measures aimed at immediately stopping the Israeli attacks that are killing children in the Gaza Strip end in a deadlock, it is highly probable that many other fronts will be opened. This option is not ruled out and this is becoming increasingly more probable,” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told Al Jazeera on Sunday.”

[…]


““If the Zionist entity [Israel] decides to enter Gaza, the resistance leaders will turn it into a graveyard of the occupation soldiers,” he added.”

[…]

“Amir-Abdollahian on Saturday met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar, where they discussed the Gaza crisis “and agreed to continue cooperation”, Hamas said in a statement.

Also on Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said all Islamic nations have a duty to come to the aid of the Palestinians.”

——-

Bringing forward:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1713286842877952463

——

Fwiw, haven’t read it yet (this source has given me some concerns lately jmo)

Which countries have criticised Israeli attacks on Gaza?

From South Africa to Norway, the Middle East to Southeast Asia, calls for an end to the siege of Gaza are growing.

www.aljazeera.com

—-

 

[sds71]

The ship provided by the US to get Americans who want to leave out of #Israel in war time. One American I spoke to was annoyed it has taken this long to get help getting out. One didn’t really want to leave but is going to smooth her family’s nerves.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1713840549264789749

 

[Charlot123]

Keep in mind Russia is too busy with Ukraine get involved in a war in Israel.
This leaves N Korea and China.
Also Pakistan has had nuclear bombs for several decades, but they're in constant war with India. Both countries have atomic bombs. But I think both countries have bombs pointed at each other, but they have never used them.
But I just can't see these countries coming to Iran's aid in a war with Israel.


India has already stated that they support Israel.

Maybe N Korea would do it, but...really???

Turkey is also another possible ally for Iran, but Turkey is part of NATO.

Iran would likely rely on the Middle East for any axis power. But Iran doesn't have many friends in the ME, except Syria and maybe Lebanon. Saudi Arabia and Iran don't get along. I don't know where they stand with Iraq. But you get the picture. It really is likely to be "more of the same".


Behind all the repressive tactics of Iran's Islamic Revolution, I think it's more sophisticated than westerners think it is.
For instance, women are allowed in most professions and the only Islamic dress code is the simple hijab. I've heard they have good universities and good medical programs. (My sister knowns many Iranians) Anyway, they're more sophisticated than they are given credit for......Based on this, I don't think they're are as reckless as we perceive them to be.

You’d be surprised about Iran. After all, their grandmothers and in some cases, young mothers, had seen very different times. They can’t be compared with, say, Saudi Arabia. Persian existed way before 6th BC, and in 6th BC Cyrus the great united the Medes and the Persians into one empire.

One of the problems for Iran today is their really low birth rate (young Iranian women are trying to “flee from marriages”, but it tells you that the women there have more strength and influence).

I was hinting at some things, but obviously no one even will guess what I am talking about, so here…

“Everyone treated me like a saint”—In Iran, there’s only one way to survive as a transgender person

In Iran, homosexuality is a crime, punishable with death for men and lashings for women. But Iran is also the only Muslim country in the Persian Gulf region that gives trans citizens the right to have their gender identity recognized by the law. In fact, the Islamic Republic of Iran not only...

qz.com

(Also, of course, like all Muslims they don’t drink or smoke, but what happens in houses might be very different.)

Of course freedom of religion is relative in Iran, but constitutionally it exists and there are places for non-Shia non-Muslim religious minorities in their parliament.

Freedom of religion in Iran - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I always felt that Iran was the country at least “workable” but there has been a change from a more reasonable approach of 2008-2015 to very unreasonable in 2016. As the result, what has been lost is influence. Instead, China has gained clout by brokering the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

 

[margarita25]

“Go South of the Gaza River”

https://www.idf.il/en/

Hamas-Israel War - Real Time Updates​

https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/hamas-israel-war-articles-videos-and-more/real-time-updates-hamas-israel-war/

IDF Editorial Team

16/10/23​

8:58
Ministry of Defense and IDF announce the implementation of a plan to evacuate residents of northern Israel who live in the area up to 2 kilometers from the Lebanese border to state-funded guesthouses. Full press release here
07:58
Over the last 24 hours, the IDF is continuing to strike in the Gaza Strip
01:04
A short while ago, the IDF struck Hezbollah military infrastructure in Lebanon in response to the shooting yesterday (Sunday) toward Israeli territory.

15/10/23​

22:06
The IDF is currently striking Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon.
20:03
"Commander, commander - we are at war!": first documentation of the neutralization of terrorists from the Field Intelligence Corps. See more here
19:31
The Chief of the General Staff during a discussion with commanders and soldiers in the south: "I trust you, both in spirit and in strength, and in the State of Israel - everyone trusts us."
Attached is a video of the Chief of the General Staff's discussion with soldiers from the 162nd Division: https://bit.ly/3FnkexC
Attached is a video from the Chief of the General Staff's tour with soldiers in the field: https://bit.ly/3rI4rGQ
Attached are related photos: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/ANC15101234567890876543

 

[margarita25]

 

[SouthAussie]

It doesn't sound as if the border crossing has opened yet, after all. But it does sound as if diplomats are travelling to Israel to try to assist in that decision.


Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday that the Israeli government had yet to take a stance that allowed the crossing to open. There has been some movement of UN-flagged fuel trucks Monday morning at the border, but despite speculation of a local ceasefire and a limited opening, the crossing between Egypt and Gaza has remained closed.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said on Monday he would be travelling to the Middle East on Tuesday to support negotiations on getting aid into the blockaded Gaza Strip. Griffiths said his office was in “deep discussions” with Israel, Egypt and other parties.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has arrived in Israel, landing at Tel Aviv.

Iran warns of ‘pre-emptive action’ as Gaza ground assault looms – as it happened

This blog is low closed. The latest live updates are here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[margarita25]

Yahya Sinwar is a direct enemy of the State of Israel and his genocidal terrorist organization—Hamas—is a threat to the entire world.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1713763024803160275

...earning him the title of "The Butcher of Khan Younis"

​

When A Murderer Becomes A Leader: Who is Yahya Sinwar?​

14.10.23
IDF

“In 2018, the Head of the Hamas terrorist organization, Yahya Sinwar, declared to the world: “We will take down the border [with Israel] and we will tear their hearts from their bodies."
Last Saturday, October 7th, Sinwar’s declaration became Israel’s reality.”

*more at link

https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/hamas-israel-war-articles-videos-and-more/general-articles/when-a-murderer-becomes-a-leader-who-is-yahya-sinwar/

 

[Brightchaser47]

China thinks it is a "peace broker"? Seriously? The hypocrisy is astounding.

JMO

<modsnip: Removed OT article>

My thoughts exactly!

 

[margarita25]

 

[Brightchaser47]

I'm hoping that Egypt will open the gate, without announcing it to the world. Just quietly open it, and conduct the business at hand. That really needs to happen. Egypt has to know it looks very bad on them that there is aid  waiting to come into Gaza, and they're sitting on it. Bad optics.

 

[Vern]

South First Responders:

Warning: Disturbing Footage

Mass Looting in Kibbutz Be'eri: The assault on Southern Israel was not carried out exclusively by Hamas. Beginning with the entry of hundreds of heavily armed terrorists and followed by waves of Gazans who looted the communities, and according to various reports, also took their own hostages. The coming footage will show evidence of this looting:

South First Responders

This new footage from the back gate of Kibbutz Be'eri shows this. First we can see a long column of heavily armed terrorists.

t.me

South First Responders

This next clip (one of many in our possetion) shows how ordinary Gazans, with armed men among them, entered the Kibbutz in a frenzie to conduct mass looting.

t.me

Edit to add: I've only just realized just how many Gazans ("non-combattants" !!!) were looting Kibbutz Be'eri upon a rewatch of the video below where the farming equipment is being stolen ... and seeing just how many of them are seen in the near distance at the end of road running around the houses there.

South First Responders

In these subsequent videos we can see theft of motorcycles and agricultural equipment.

t.me

South First Responders

And in these videos you can see a television and a childrens bike being stolen on motorcycle.

t.me

Arabic & French Version Links:

South_First_Responders (عربي)

قناة تنشر فيديوهات صورت في غلاف غزه بعد تطهير المنطقة من قوات حماس. المواد مجانية الاستخدام، ولكن يرجى منح الفضل لـ "South First Responders".

t.me

South First Responders Français

Canal pour images téléchargées par les premiers arrivants au sud d’Israël, après avoir été dégagé du Hamas. Avertissement : contenu graphique.

t.me

 

[dotr]

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveb...-hostages- if-israel-ends-airstrikes-on-gaza/

OCTOBER 16, 2023
''Iran’s Foreign Ministry says that Hamas potentially was ready to release the nearly 200 hostages it is holding if Israel stops its campaign of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. The terror group hasn’t acknowledged making such an offer.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani speaks at a news conference in Tehran. Iran is a main sponsor of Hamas in its fight against Israel.

Hamas officials “stated that they are ready to take necessary measures to release the citizens and civilians held by resistance groups, but their point was that such measures require preparations that are impossible under daily bombardment by the Zionists against various parts of Gaza,” according to Kanaani.


Hamas has said it will trade the captives for thousands of Palestinians held by Israel in the kind of lopsided exchange deals that have been reached in the past.

“We heard from the resistance that they have no problem to continue resisting,” Kanaani said, referring to Hamas. “They said the resistance holds the military capability to continue resisting in the field for a long time.”

 

[Elley Mae]

Blinken returns to Israel for talks; US citizens being evacuated out of Haifa by boat

Blinken returns to Israel for talks; US citizens being evacuated out of Haifa by boat

Israel denies truce to allow aid into Gaza * IDF says Hamas likely struck Gaza refugee convoy, killing 70 * 28 communities to be evacuated in north * Air Force steps up strikes

www.timesofisrael.com

 

[Vern]

South First Responders

Warning: Extremely Graphic Footage (Dead and wounded)

In the coming period we will publish new GoPro footage of massacres committed in the city of Ofakim, a town over 20 kilometers from Gaza where terrorists took hostages and murdered innocents.

South First Responders

In this first clip, we hear the GoPro holder cynically saying "Ok its time for the camera....here's the first, here's the second (refering to the murdered civilian in the shot and possibly another not in the shot). He then says "everyone is hiding in their homes."

t.me

South First Responders

In these next clips, you can see the Hamas terrorists go house to house throughout the neighborhood and scenes of their killings, including an elderly Israeli.

t.me

Alternate Langage Links:

South_First_Responders (عربي)

قناة تنشر فيديوهات صورت في غلاف غزه بعد تطهير المنطقة من قوات حماس. المواد مجانية الاستخدام، ولكن يرجى منح الفضل لـ "South First Responders".

t.me

South First Responders Français

Canal pour images téléchargées par les premiers arrivants au sud d’Israël, après avoir été dégagé du Hamas. Avertissement : contenu graphique.

t.me

 

[Vern]

Two stories out of Canada this morning:

An ignorant & intolerable act (from Global News):

MSN

A rabbi in Surrey says his home was targeted by a vandal as fighting rages between Israel and Hamas.



And an act of bravery in the face of unimaginable horror (also from Global News):

MSN

TEL AVIV, Israel—The fifth Canadian citizen confirmed dead in the Hamas attack on Israel threw himself onto a grenade to save his girlfriend, his mother said on Sunday.

 

[JennieM]

27m ago
Half of Israeli hotel rooms are being used to house families evacuated from communities near the Gaza Strip, the head of the Israel Hotel Association said on Monday.

Israel has 56,000 hotel rooms, and 28,000 are being provided to evacuees with the state footing the bill, Reuters reports association chief executive Yael Danieli said.

Iran warns of ‘pre-emptive action’ as Gaza ground assault looms – as it happened

This blog is low closed. The latest live updates are here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

The latest from Gaza and Israel​

We are now moving our live coverage onto a new page. Follow us there for the latest updates.

Meanwhile, here's what's been happening in the last few hours:

• Reuters is just reporting that the US, Israel and Egypt have agreed to a ceasefire in southern Gaza to coincide with the reopening of the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border. We had earlier seen media reports saying the Egyptian-controlled Rafah crossing - now the only possible road out of Gaza - will be open "for a few hours" on Monday
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to return to Israel on Monday, following talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday.

• Southern Gaza's largest city Khan Younis is now a temporary home for hundreds of thousands of people who fled Gaza City in the last few days. Our correspondent Rushdi Abu Alouf, who has moved there with his family, said the city is overwhelmed and scarce resources are fast running out
• The US has named former ambassador David Satterfield as a special envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues. Several world leaders and top diplomats have also been in talks over the weekend in efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating
• The UN says the Middle East "is on the verge of the abyss" and has asked Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67108364

 

[PommyMommy]

4hr ago

IDF has notified families of 199 people being held hostage in Gaza​

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the military has so far notified the families of 199 hostages that their loved ones are being held in the Gaza Strip.

Among the hostages that Hamas terrorists took to Gaza after the devastating assault last week are many elderly, children and women.

Hagari says the military has some information on the whereabouts of hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We are making valiant efforts to try to understand where the hostages are in Gaza, and we have such information,” Hagari says in response to a question at a press conference.

“We will not carry out an attack that would endanger our people,” he adds.

4hr ago

IDF warns Hezbollah of ‘deadly’ response if it keeps up cross border attacks​

IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the Lebanese Hezbollah terror group will face a “deadly” response if it continues to carry out attacks against Israel.

“Hezbollah carried out a number of attacks yesterday in order to try to divert our operational efforts [away from the Gaza Strip], under the direction and backing of Iran, while endangering the state of Lebanon and its citizens,” Hagari says in a press conference.

“We have increased our forces on the northern border and respond aggressively to any activity against us,” he says.

“If Hezbollah dares to test us, the reaction will be deadly. The United States is giving us full backing,” Hagari says.

 

[JennieM]

What is the Rafah crossing?​

Egypt's Rafah border is the only exit route from Gaza's not controlled by Israel. It is now the only possible road out of Gaza after Israel blockaded all other exits.
The crossing lies in the south of Gaza on the border with Egypt's Sinai peninsula, a sparsely populated desert region. The cities on both sides of the border are known as Rafah.
Israeli airstrikes in the past week have also hit the border crossing, according to reports.
Egypt has tightly restricted the opening of the crossing as its relations with Hamas have been badly strained.
Our correspondent Lyse Doucet reported from the crossing in July 2014.

Ceasefire in south Gaza as crossing opens: Reuters​

Reuters, citing two Egyptian security sources, is reporting that the US, Israel and Egypt have agreed to a ceasefire in southern Gaza at 9am local time - to coincide with the reopening of the Rafah border crossing.

Rafah crossing may only open for a limited time - US state department​

The US anticipates the situation at the Rafah crossing will "remain fluid and unpredictable" ahead of reports it will open at 09:00 local time.

Issuing advice to Americans in Gaza, the US says it is unclear whether or for how long people will be permitted to transit the southern crossing with Egypt's border.

"If you assess it to be safe, you may wish to move closer to the Rafah border crossing – there may be very little notice if the crossing opens and it may only open for a limited time," the US state department says.

Officials are working on "potential options for departure" for Americans in Gaza.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67108364

 

[JennieM]

Hamas says it has no information on ceasefire - report​

The Hamas media office says it has no information about the proposed humanitarian truce at the Rafah border crossing, Reuters reports.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67108364