Israel - Palestinian militants launch massive attack, 7 Oct 2023 #6

[JennieM]

4m ago

US and allies pressing Israel to delay Gaza invasion to get hostages out – report​

The US and European governments have been putting pressure on Israel to delay its ground invasion of Gaza to buy time for secret talks under way to win the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to a report.

The negotiations with Hamas via Qatar are delicate and may fail, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the efforts.

The sources told the outlet that there are signs that Hamas might agree to release at least some of its civilian hostages without demanding Israel release any prisoners in return.

Israel agreed under US pressure to hold off a massive military operation, they said.

Biden ‘didn’t hear the full question’ on whether Israel should delay Gaza ground assault, White House says – as it happened

White House says US president was only commenting on whether he wanted to see more hostages released

www.theguardian.com

 

[margarita25]

“Following mediation by Qatar” (this exactly what the negotiator who..come back to this later when link can be provided)

 

[cottonweaver]

as most of us had probably already guessed - pressure was being applied to delay

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715420804869918922

ETA - just to add personal opinion. As appalling as it is, I don't think they will get all the living hostages out. You can hate me for saying this but I also think there's an element of being seen to try too. Maybe I've just become too cynical now?
I think the motivation to get the hostages back is 2nd priority

 

[JennieM]

I'd be interested to know who the "some of the hostages" are that Hamas would be willing to free in exhange for a ceasefire.

All those except Israelis??

What's the Red Cross got to say on this? They are the authority on Hostages in war time.

I was also thinking whether they will focus on US hostages?

 

[margarita25]

Not sure if named yet, wonder if it’s Illinois “mother/daughter,”Raanan, catching up

 

[Vern]

Well, I thought all Americans felt we are The World Leader. I sure do.
Mo

I believe it is actually "Leaders of the Free World" ... which can be seen by some to be an important distinction.

 

[JennieM]

5 min ago

Lebanon calls on Israel to declare a 48-hour ceasefire, foreign minister tells CNN​

From CNN's Hande Atay Alam

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib is asking Israel to declare a 48-hour ceasefire, telling CNN "then we will know exactly who is starting what."

Habib told CNN's Poppy Harlow Friday that his country is very worried that the war could spread into the region. "Really we don't want war. The government does not want war. We are dialoguing with the various groups. But it is uncontrollable because it depends all on what happened in Gaza," Bou Habib said.

While Israel prepares for the next stage of the war with Hamas in Gaza, the Iran-backed group Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces across the border in northern Israel and southern Lebanon.

Earlier on Friday, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner told CNN, "The government of Lebanon, anything that happens from their sovereign territory, they need to — they are responsible for, and they will be held accountable for. This is a sovereign state. It has control over its borders. They have the responsibility to make sure that terrorists like Hezbollah, a terrorist army, do not launch attacks against Israel."

In response to Lerner's comments, Foreign Minister Habib said Israel is "making it worse by their talk."

"Let's call for a ceasefire and see what happens. Instead of threatening," he said.

When Harlow asked Habib if his government has control over Hezbollah, he said, "The people are interrelated here, politically and even blood-wise. So, we cannot hold them from doing some revenge if really the situation in Gaza is going to be worse than what it is now."

"They (Hezbollah) do not want a war. But I mean, you can't control it. It all depends, again, on what happens in Gaza, on the invasion of Israel to Gaza," he added.

Live updates: Israel-Hamas war rages as Gaza awaits aid in worsening conditions

Two US hostages are being released by Hamas, according to sources. Meanwhile, Gaza's hospitals are facing collapse as aid trucks line up at the Rafah crossing. Follow here for live news updates.

edition.cnn.com

 

[margarita25]

29 minutes ago:

LIVE: Two American Hostages Held in Gaza have been release by Hamas | ABC News

The hostages were abducted by Hamas during the militant group's Oct. 7 attack.#israel #hamas #palestine #gaza Watch ABC News Live 24/7 on YouTube: https://yo...

www.youtube.com

yep, Raanans.

crying.

group hug.

wow.

—-

eta: released for “humanitarian reasons.”

 

[JennieM]

2m ago

Israel confirms released hostages are 'on their way to' Israeli military base​

A spokesperson for Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has confirmed the release of two US hostages, Judith and Natalie Raanan.

The mother and daughter were kidnapped by Hamas on Saturday, 7 October at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, in southern Israel.

Hamas armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida issued a statement earlier on Friday announcing the release, the first since the devastating attacks by the militant group on Israel.

Abu Ubaida said the hostages were released in response to Qatari mediation efforts, “for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the claims made by Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless”.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it believes at least 203 people are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. An Israeli army statement earlier today said a majority of the hostages were alive.

Biden ‘didn’t hear the full question’ on whether Israel should delay Gaza ground assault, White House says – as it happened

White House says US president was only commenting on whether he wanted to see more hostages released

www.theguardian.com

 

[Momoffourboys]

Live update: Gallant: We can’t say ‘no’ to the US on humanitarian aid given how much they do for us

https://x.com/TOIAlerts/status/1715444073765671217?s=20

 

[margarita25]

Out of all the foreign nationals, they chose to release two of the American hostages…

They could have picked hostages from any (non-Israeli) country, and they chose the US. This possibly says a lot about some things, imo, to address later (still catching up and processing).

Cheers everyone. I’ll buy the first round. Finally, a piece of good news. Incredible.

Congratulations Raanans!!!

 

[JennieM]

2m ago
Canada is still committed to a two-state solution to create peace in the Middle East, prime minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Toronto on Friday. He added:

The world and the region needs a peaceful, safe, prosperous, viable Palestinian state alongside a peaceful, prosperous, democratic, safe... Israel.

Biden ‘didn’t hear the full question’ on whether Israel should delay Gaza ground assault, White House says – as it happened

White House says US president was only commenting on whether he wanted to see more hostages released

www.theguardian.com

 

[Brightchaser47]

2 min ago

2 American hostages being released by Hamas, sources say​

From CNN's Alex Marquardt and Kaitlan Collins

Two American hostages, a mother and her daughter, are being released by Hamas, according to a person familiar with the negotiations and a diplomatic source.
The two have been handed over to the Red Cross and are “on their way out,” the source familiar with negotiations said. They are being released on “humanitarian grounds” because the mother is in poor health, the same source said.

It is unclear whether they will leave Gaza into Egypt or Israel.

It is the result of the negotiations between Qatar and Hamas that started after Hamas abducted around 200 people from Israel on October 7.

"In response to Qatari efforts, Al-Qassam Brigades released two American citizens (a mother and her daughter) for humanitarian reasons, and to prove to the American people and the world that the claims made by Biden and his fascist administration are false and baseless," Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida said in a statement.

The White House has not commented. The Israeli prime minister’s office has not commented. CNN has reached out to the Red Cross.

Live updates: Israel-Hamas war rages as Gaza awaits aid in worsening conditions

Two US hostages are being released by Hamas, according to sources. Meanwhile, Gaza's hospitals are facing collapse as aid trucks line up at the Rafah crossing. Follow here for live news updates.

edition.cnn.com

I don't care  why they release them, just do it!!! (to borrow a phrase...)

 

[JennieM]

now

The release of US hostages from Gaza comes “after many days on continuous communication” with all parties, Reuters reported that a Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Qatar hopes dialogue will lead to the “release of all civilian hostages from every nationality,” foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari added.


1m ago

The US president thanked the governments of Qatar and Israel for their partnership in securing the release of the two American hostages.

The US has been working “around-the-clock” to free American hostages and it has not ceased its efforts for those who are still being held by Hamas, Biden said in a statement.

As I told those families when I spoke with them last week—we will not stop until we get their loved ones home. As president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans held hostage around the world.

4m ago

Joe Biden has confirmed the release of two Americans who had been held hostage by Hamas since 7 October.

A statement by the US president reads:

Today, we have secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel on October 7. Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear. These individuals and their family will have the full support of the United States government as they recover and heal, and we should all respect their privacy in this moment.

Biden ‘didn’t hear the full question’ on whether Israel should delay Gaza ground assault, White House says – as it happened

White House says US president was only commenting on whether he wanted to see more hostages released

www.theguardian.com

 

[Arkay]

Yes, Hamas attacked Israelis. So, now Isreal is justified in a blitzkrieg in Gaza, until everything is pounded to dust?

What should Israel do after their most vulnerable and innocent citizens were brutalized?

Shrug their shoulders and say, “oh, there go those nutty Hamas boys again?”

Hamas brought war to the land of Israel.

People get hurt in war.

Hamas knows that and certainly knew they were exposing Gazans to counterattacks.

Imagine, instead of Israel, this was your own peaceful happy family. Monsters come and do these things to your own loved ones, and you know there are thousands more like them just outside. Do you just yawn?

Speaking for myself, if it were my own family, I would do all I could to destroy those who did this to mine.

JMO

 

[cottonweaver]

Part of me didn't want to hear anything these terror-leaders have to say but the interview is quite interesting. The way she skirts around some of the facts which allows him to lie but also tries to hold him to account on others, such as why Hamas consulted nobody else before their atrocities, ' transgressions against civilians' ....' is this part of your ideology?' ...' the last thing the Lebanese need is another war'... ' are you disappointed others haven't risen with you'... ' you are sat in an air conditioned room' ( Suffice to say that he lies throughout)

Yashar is with Huff Post. Clip is a Saudi channel

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715382797555396919

 

[JennieM]

14m ago

A candlelit vigil for Issam Abdallah, the Reuters visuals journalist killed last week while filming Israeli missile attacks at the Israeli-Lebanon border, was held in Beirut today.

Friends and relatives gathered at a bar he co-owned in Beirut, holding candles and portraits of Abdallah, 37, who covered some of the biggest news stories of the past decade, ranging from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the conflict in Syria.

“You were everything to me,” Abdallah’s sister Abir said.

I will keep carrying this family, I swear. I’m happy that you’re in heaven.

Abir, sister of Issam Abdallah holds her aunt during a candlelight vigil, in Beirut, Lebanon.Photograph: Amr Alfiky/Reuters

Abdallah was nominated as Reuters Video Journalist of the year in 2020 for outstanding coverage of the Beirut port blast.

After a tough assignment last year in Ukraine, he wrote his editors:

I have learned through all the years of covering conflicts and wars with Reuters from around the region that the picture is not only front lines and smoke, but the untold human stories which touch us all inside.

He was buried on Saturday in his hometown of Khiyam in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s army has said Israel fired the missile that killed Abdallah, and another Reuters reporter at the scene said he was killed by projectiles fired from the direction of Israel. Israel’s military has said it will investigate.

Biden ‘didn’t hear the full question’ on whether Israel should delay Gaza ground assault, White House says – as it happened

White House says US president was only commenting on whether he wanted to see more hostages released

www.theguardian.com

 

[Momoffourboys]

BREAKING | NBC News: Martin Fletcher confirms his family members identified as Judith and Natalie Raanan from Evanston, Illinois are the two American hostages who have been released. Two officials briefed on the matter also confirm to
@JoshNBCNews and @Tom_Winter those are the 2

https://x.com/Tom_Winter/status/1715440698801979558?s=20

 

[JennieM]

What should Israel do after their most vulnerable and innocent citizens were brutalized?

Shrug their shoulders and say, “oh, there go those nutty Hamas boys again?”

Hamas brought war to the land of Israel.

People get hurt in war.

Hamas knows that and certainly knew they were exposing Gazans to counterattacks.

Imagine, instead of Israel, this was your own peaceful happy family. Monsters come and do these things to your own loved ones, and you know there are thousands more like them just outside. Do you just yawn?

Speaking for myself, if it were my own family, I would do all I could to destroy those who did this to mine.

JMO

What should Israel do to comply with international humanitarian law?​

Israel has fundamental legal obligations to abide by during its campaign against Hamas. Heavily charged statements by some Israeli officials need to be separated from sound legal policy. In brief, Israel must meet several standards:

• It must not use starvation (including deprivation of food, water, and other essentials for survival) of Gaza’s civilian population as a weapon of war against Hamas or for any reason.
• It must take every possible step to target only Hamas militants and their military infrastructure, and to minimize civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. The Israeli air and artillery campaign, as well as its ground warfare, must be guided by the immutable legal principles of humanity, distinction, proportionality, and military necessity.
• It must allow for the return of displaced civilians after the conflict. While a temporary evacuation of civilians from a theater of combat can be legally requested, it would be unlawful to permanently displace the civilian population from their homes. The circumstances in Gaza today create enormous hardship for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians, and Israel should take measures to ameliorate these difficult conditions. The visits of U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the Middle East this week focused in part on what Israel and other nations and organizations can do to address the humanitarian plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

What International Law Has to Say About the Israel-Hamas War

Hamas’s attack on Israel and the ensuing war in the Gaza Strip raise a host of questions about the combatants’ legal obligations.

www.cfr.org

 

[JennieM]

5 min ago

Biden "overjoyed" by release of 2 US citizens held hostage by Hamas​

From CNN's Betsy Klein

US President Joe Biden confirmed the release of two Americans held hostage by Hamas for a “horrific” 14 days, saying he is “overjoyed” the mother and daughter will “soon be reunited with their family."

"These individuals and their family will have the full support of the United States government as they recover and heal, and we should all respect their privacy in this moment," Biden said in a statement Friday.

Biden reiterated that his administration has been “working around-the-clock” to free Americans held hostage by Hamas, and said, “We have not ceased our efforts to secure the release of those who are still being held.”

The governments of Qatar and Israel were partners in release efforts, the president said.

“Jill and I have been holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted for Americans. And, as I told those families when I spoke with them last week—we will not stop until we get their loved ones home. As president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans held hostage around the world,” Biden said.

The released Americans — a mother and her 17-year-old daughter — are from Chicago and had been visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, when they were taken, according to their family.

Live updates: Israel-Hamas war rages as Gaza awaits aid in worsening conditions

Two US hostages are being released by Hamas, according to sources. Meanwhile, Gaza's hospitals are facing collapse as aid trucks line up at the Rafah crossing. Follow here for live news updates.

edition.cnn.com