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One of the reasons the terror group Hamas was able to slaughter so many Israelis and foreigners in its invasion of Israel was due to Israel’s antigun policies, which stripped citizens of the God-given right to defend themselves against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Of all the Kibbutz’s in the region Hamas initially took over, only one was able to protect itself, and that was thanks to the foresight of one woman, Inbal Rabin-Lieberman, the head of security for Kibbutz Nir Am. She heard the Hamas rockets and thought they didn’t sound the same as usual, so she fetched weapons from the armory and gathered a team of 12 people to successfully defend her kibbutz from the slaughtering and marauding Hamas terrorists that attempted to destroy them.

From the American Thinker:

(Lieberman)  placed her squad of kibbutzniks in strategic positions across the settlement and set up ambushes that caught the gunmen off guard and turned the tables on them during their mission to inflict mass casualties.

There are conflicting reports on how many jihadists Inbal and her team killed and wounded (some say 25 terrorists were neutralized; some say only one or two), but Inbal’s decision “not to wait” meant that Nir Am became the sole kibbutz in the “entire surrounding area” that emerged from the violence largely unscathed.  Another report highlighted Inbal’s decision ordering that power not be restored, so no one could open the gates to the kibbutz.

There are reports that it took 6-8 hours for Israeli police and military to even arrive at the scene of the carnage to affect ANY defense of the civilians from the murdering hordes. We in America who support guns often cite the fact that the police will arrive at the scene of a crime just in time to count the bodies and document a crime they were unable to prevent, and that’s with the police arriving within 20 minutes.

What must it have been like for those Israelis, unarmed as they were, to wait helplessly in their shelters (when they got to them in time) or wherever else they could cower in fear in the face of armed killers who had no real deterrence to murder them and their children?

In the case of Lieberman’s kibbutz, the people of that community were fortunate to have a leader who acted intelligently and decisively AND had access to arms she could use to stage a successful defense of her community. In the case of all the other communities, slaughter was inevitable once Hamas crossed their borders and entered these communities, largely due to the decisions by the Israeli government to strip its citizens of their rights to defend themselves.

They made this unconscionable  decision while their citizens lived in the midst of daily existential threat from their neighbors, who teach their children that Jews are sub-human and that one day Palestine will triumph and the Jew will be driven into the sea.

Lieberman should be celebrated as the hero that she is, along with the team she led, and surely one day we will see a movie about her triumph in the face of Hell, but the politicians that lead that country should come to a reckoning with the fact that it was THEIR decision to unarm their own people that empowered a terror state to behead babies, to slaughter women, for they knew they were entering gun-free zones, the same kind of zones our American cities and some states have created, making anyone who lives in those zones as vulnerable to the terror brewing within our country as the Israelis were.

An Iranian news outlet is alleging Hamas was able to successfully execute its operation dubbed “Operation Al Aqsa Flood” in large part to aid it received from Israeli soldiers, and that aid did not come merely through intelligence, or not reporting emerging threats, but that is constituted “material aid.”

From Tasnim:

A Palestinian official in the Islamic resistance groups told Tasnim that some of the information obtained during the infiltration phases had been acquired through long-time collaboration of certain Israeli military personnel with the resistance groups. This information played a crucial role in facilitating the infiltration of forces into Israeli districts, especially the military bases surrounding Gaza.

This official emphasized that this cooperation extended beyond mere intelligence matters and, for some time now, Palestinians have also been sourcing a significant portion of their equipment from Israeli soldiers and military personnel.

The news site “The Cradle” reported that the reporting of material support to the enemy by Israeli soldiers was not new. From The Cradle:

In 2012, Haaretz reported that $14 million worth of equipment had been stolen from Israeli military bases. In May 2019, Maariv newspaper reported the disappearance of nearly 50 M16 rifles, many of which were never recovered. 

Many instances of theft from Israeli bases have been reported since. 

“Robbers often easily breach security and steal military equipment, bullets, rifles, generators, and even military vehicles,” the report says. 

“The robberies are often committed in cooperation with the Israeli military forces stationed at these bases,” it adds, citing “an unnamed Israeli officer at the logistics directorate.” 

Palestinian resistance groups have increasingly been gaining access to and using Israeli weapons, the report explains, adding that these weapons are either obtained from traffickers, or stolen from bases through collaboration “with certain Israeli military forces who have renounced Zionism.”

The Iranian news outlet Tasnim, citing an anonymous Palestinian source, said the Palestianians referred to these Israelis as “a secret Palestinian army.” The soldiers are alleged to have rebuked “Zionism” and chosen the Palestinian cause over that of their own nation.

Other allegations from the report include claims that drug use was high among Israeli soldiers and that much of the weapons and ammo and equipment given to the Palestinians was in exchange for drugs.

So far, these allegations have not been extensively covered in Israeli media, and not covered at all outside of Iran and Israel. The primary candidates for sedition in Israel, of course, like here in America, are the leftists among them, specifically the Israelis protesting Supreme Court reforms in the country aimed at scaling back the unchecked power of a leftist court that creates law without being an elected legislative body.

The left in Israel, for now, is pledging unity with the Netanyahu-led government, but this writer believes they have no choice but to do so, for to so obviously reflect the seditious nature of their leftist ideology would result in their political, if not literal, deaths.

This report should be viewed with a touch of skepticism, but, given the nature of leftism in general, which hates sovereign states and prefers a one-world dictatorship or oligarchy, the accusations fit the pattern, as surely as here in America we see a leftist-led government openly working to destroy America from within simply by allowing our borders to be wide open for invasion to any foreign power that seeks to insert their own version of Hamas into our country to do to us what they did to the Israelis.

Reports of Hamas Beheading, Killing Babies in Kibbutz – According to numerous news outlets around the world, when Hamas invaded Israel in its Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, they targeted border kibbutz’ for systemic genocidal execution, which included beheading babies. Reports claim 40 bodies of babies have been recovered so far in the invaded homes within the kibbutz, specifically at Kibbutz Kfar Aza.

A report like this is hard to confirm as getting easy access to see the pictures is mercifully difficult to do online, so mostly we have to take the word of the people that claim to have found the bodies or the families that claim to have lost infant family members.

Efforts to discredit this claim by leftist and libertarian leaning groups are widespread, with the claims by a girl that Iraqis were killing babies in a Kuwaiti hospital that helped lead to the invasion of Iraq by America often cited as example of how “disinformation” can be used to lead people to war.

The difference between that example given and this one is there appears to be numerous claims that this happened and some claim to have seen the videos and pictures (many taken by Hamas themselves) of this happening.

Israel i24, for instance, is reporting their own reporters have seen the evidence, and they’ve also received eyewitness testimony from soldiers, including IDF Major General Itai Veruv, who said “You see the babies, the mother, the father, in their bedrooms, in their protection rooms, and how the terrorists killed them. It’s a massacre.”

The news outlet also tweeted this out: Our correspondent @Nicole_Zedek continues to survey the horror scenes left behind in Kibbutz Kfar Aza where Hamas invaded and murdered dozens of Israelis in their homes.

These days, skepticism regarding reports of such overt acts of violence is healthy, but to this writer, that skepticism is blunted by the fact that, unlike many other such agitprop claims, such as the Iraqi one, this one has multiple witnesses testifying to have seen the dead bodies for themselves. Given the fact that we have video evidence of the slaughter of innocents at a music festival by Hamas, this does not seem to be outside the scope of what an ideologically-driven people would be capable of who believe that the Jews are spiritual enemies to their god, Allah, as Hamas and the people that support it do.

ED.NOTE: Even if true, and this writer supports that it is, a full-scale regional war involving the U.S. and other actors is NOT an outcome that would be good for me, you, or anyone other than the elites who would like nothing more than to start a massive world war justifying martial law here and everywhere else.

In the early morning hours of October 7, a Hamas-Led Palestinian invasion of Southern Israel began with 2,200-5,000 rockets being launched, hundreds of men in motorized paragliders dropping into Israeli settlements along the border, and 30 plus breeches made in the defensive barrier between Gaza and southern Israel created.

So far, over 600 Israelis are reported to have been killed, with over 2,000 injured, while 300 plus Palestinians have been killed. The Palestinians seized Israeli military bases, capturing a number of Merkava tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers.

The Palestinians also utilized terror as a weapon of war, systematically executing Israelis wherever they could find them, including a massacre of over 260 people at a music festival that was going on at the time of the invasion. Israelis not killed were captured and taken as hostage, which includes a number of high-ranking Israeli officers.

The reaction from the world and America has been mixed, with the Progmerican left being divided between support for Israel and support for Palestine, and the conservatives overwhelmingly supporting Israel.

As of right now, the Israelis appear to be amassing in preparation of a land invasion of Gaza following two days of intense strikes to the 2 million strong city. Turkey, Iraq, and Iran have warned Israel not to invade Gaza by land but that appears to have had no effect on Israel’s decision-making so far.

The invasion began on the 50^th Anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, which also happened to be on the day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the most holy day of the year for practicing Jews.

What follows are links from the media, including some blurbs, revealing the actions that have taken place up to this moment:

Israel Fights for Survival Notes

Most Recent News links:

Israel announces ‘total’ blockade on Gaza – Al Jazeera

IDF says it has regained control of all Gaza border towns but terrorists may remain – Times of Israel

Israel ‘going on the offensive’ after retaking territories overrun by Hamas – The Guardian

‘They’re only babies’: Israeli relatives of hostages plead for help – The Guardian – Women, infants and disabled people among about 100 thought to have been taken by Palestinian militants as ‘insurance policy’

Oil Surges as Israel Conflict Reignites Middle East Volatility – Bloomberg

U.S. sends aircraft carrier group to eastern Mediterranean in response to Hamas attack on Israel – CBS News

The Opening Day

Hamas starts war on Israel, captures and kills soldiers – moderndiplomacy.eu

Excerpt:

Hamas, the group running the besieged Gaza Strip, announces the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, Al Jazeera reported.

It says it has fired was thousands of rockets towards Israel.

Israeli military radio also reports that Palestinian fighters from Gaza have “infiltrated” Israel.

The unprecedented offensive started a few minutes before 7 a.m. as Israelis celebrated the last day of the weeklong Sukkot festival, with hundreds of rockets fired at Israel, according to Press TV.

Red alert warning sirens were activated in Tel Aviv, Sde Boker, Arad, and Dimona in the south as explosions were heard by residents on Saturday. In al-Quds, rocket sirens sounded followed by the sound of explosions.

Cars were seen on fire after a rocket landed in Ashkelon, southern Israel.

Hamas’ armed wing said more than 7,000 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Saturday, declaring it had started “Operation al-Aqsa Flood”.

“We decided to put an end to all the crimes of the occupation, their time for rampaging without being held accountable is over,” Hamas said. “We announce Operation al-Aqsa Flood and we fired, in the first strike of 20 minutes, more than 5,000 rockets.”

The occupation forces are fighting Hamas fighters in seven locations in southern Israel near the fence with the Gaza Strip.

The gun battles are taking place in and around the towns of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri, and the Re’im military base, the Times of Israel reported.

… The Israeli police southern district has said the fighting is likely to continue in the days ahead.

“This will probably go on for days. Some of the casualties are police officers,” the police said, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Read Full Article

Hamas kills 40 in unprecedented, wide-ranging incursion into Israel. Netanyahu says ‘we are at war’ – apnews.com

Israel/Palestine: Militants enter Israel from Gaza after woman killed in rocket barrage – amp.cnn.com

 

Hamas says it has taken Israeli hostages in surprise attack – MSNBC – www.msnbc.com

The Initial Response

All about ‘Operation Iron Swords’ Israel launched after Hamas’ surprise attack – www.businesstoday.in

Excerpt:

Responding to Hamas’s surprise attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday launched operation ‘Iron Swords’. IDF is striking Hamas targets in Gaza. “In response to the barrages of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza at Israel, the IDF is currently striking Hamas targets in Gaza,” IDF said on ‘X’.

What is Operation Iron Swords?

Operation Iron Swords is Israel’s retaliation for a surprise attack by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist militant organisation, on Israel. On Saturday morning, Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years, killing at least 100 people and claiming it had taken dozens of hostages.

The Israeli military said it had responded with air strikes into Gaza, where witnesses reported hearing heavy explosions and multiple dead and wounded being carried into hospitals. The Israeli military said navy forces killed dozens of Palestinian militants trying to infiltrate Israel by sea.

Operation Iron Swords takes into account all the attackers who have infiltrated into Israel and are carrying out attacks on civilians and Israeli defence forces.

“The IDF will protect the residents of the State of Israel, the terrorist organization Hamas will pay a very heavy price. The public is asked to obey the orders of the Home Front Command to stay near protected areas, and residents of the Gaza Strip are asked to stay in their homes,” IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari had said earlier.

Read Full Article

Netanyahu Tells Gaza Residents To Clear Out, Says IDF “Will Use All Its Strength” To “Destroy” Hamas – www.infowars.com

We will be victorious in this war despite an unbearable price. This is a very difficult day for all of us.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 7, 2023

Hamas wants to murder us all. This is an enemy that murders children and mothers in their homes, in their beds, an enemy that abducts the elderly, children and young women, that slaughters and massacres our citizens, including children, who simply went out to enjoy the holiday.

What happened today is unprecedented in Israel – and I will see to it that it does not happen again. The entire government is behind this decision.

The IDF will immediately use all its strength to destroy Hamas’s capabilities. We will destroy them and will forcefully avenge this dark day that they have forced on Israel and its citizens. As Bialik wrote: ‘Revenge for the blood of a little child has yet been devised by Satan’.

All of the places which Hamas is deployed, hiding and operating in, that wicked city, we will turn them into rubble.

I say to the residents of Gaza: Leave now because we will operate forcefully everywhere.

At this hour, the IDF is clearing the terrorists out of the last communities. They are going community by community, house by house, and are restoring our control.

I embrace and send heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families whose loved ones were murdered today in cold blood and endless brutality.

We are all praying for the well-being of the wounded and all those who are being held hostage. I say to Hamas: You are responsible for their well-being. Israel will settle accounts with anyone who harms one hair on their heads.

I appeal to the residents of the south: We all stand alongside you. We are all proud of your heroism and your fighting.

To our beloved IDF soldiers, police officers and security forces personnel, remember that you are the continuation of the heroes of the Jewish people, of Joshua, Judah Maccabee and the heroes of 1948 and of all of Israel’s wars.

You are now fighting for the home and future of us all. We are all with you. We all love you. We all salute you.

To the medical and rescue teams, and the many volunteers in a long list of places, the people of Israel salute you. With your spirit, we will overcome our enemies.

Read Full Article

Israel ‘at war’, says Netanyahu, as fighter jets target Gaza after surprise Palestinian attack – live | Israel – amp.theguardian.com

US defense secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that Washington will make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself.

I am closely monitoring developments in Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering, and I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this abhorrent attack on civilians. Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.

… US White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said that Washington condemns the attack and extends condolences.

The US unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks.Read Full Article

World reaction to surprise attack by Palestinian Hamas on Israel | Israel-Palestine conflict News – www.aljazeera.com

Excerpt:

The Palestinian group Hamas has launched the biggest attack on Israel in years with many killed, hostages taken, and fighting raging after a surprise assault that included gunmen entering Israeli towns after a barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.

Israel said Hamas has declared war as its army mobilised and air force launched strikes on Gaza with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promising harsh retaliation.

Here is international reaction to the fighting so far:

Belgium

Belgium strongly condemns the massive rocket attacks against Israeli civilians. Violence and terror only perpetuates suffering and hinders the path to dialogue. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We are monitoring the situation closely.

— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) October 7, 2023

European Commission

I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel.

It is terrorism in its most despicable form.

Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks.

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 7, 2023

Egypt

Egypt warned of “grave consequences” from an escalation in tensions between Israel and the Palestinians in a statement from the foreign ministry carried by the state news agency.

It called for “exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger”.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri also held a call with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to discuss developments, stating that both sides should exercise restraint to avoid serious risks.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “terrorist attacks” against Israel.

“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks which are currently hitting Israel. I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them,” Macron wrote on X.

The French embassy in Israel on Saturday described the attacks as “inadmissible terrorist attacks”.

“Horrified by the developments coming from the south of the country. These terrorist attacks are inadmissible and must be condemned by everyone. We stand side by side alongside Israel and Israelis,” the French embassy wrote on X.

Germany

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Berlin “firmly condemns the terrorist attacks from Gaza against Israel”.

Baerbock said Hamas “contributes to the intensification of violence”, adding that “violence and rockets aimed at innocent people must stop immediately”.

Greece

Greece strongly condemns today’s launch of heavy rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel.
Greece stands with Israel and is deeply concerned by this unacceptable escalation of violence. pic.twitter.com/xQbrsgbBx0

— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) October 7, 2023

 

Hezbollah

The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah issued a statement saying it was closely following the situation in Gaza and was in “direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance”.

Following events involving Gaza fighters who fired a barrage of rockets into Israel, the statement added that it was a “decisive response to Israel’s continued occupation and a message to those seeking normalisation with Israel”.

Iran

An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei said that Iran supported the Palestinians’ attack, the semi-official ISNA news site reported.

“We congratulate the Palestinian fighters,” it quoted adviser Rahim Safavi as saying. “We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem.”

Italy

Italy said it backed “Israel’s right to defend itself” against the “brutal attack” by Hamas.

The government said it “condemned in the strongest terms the terror and the violence under way against innocent civilians”.

 

Palestinian President Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves against the “terror of settlers and occupation troops”, the official news agency WAFA quoted him as saying.

He was speaking at an emergency meeting held in Ramallah with a number of top officials from the Palestinian Authority.

Poland

“I strongly condemn Hamas’ ongoing attacks on Israel. This baseless aggression and acts of violence, especially against civilians, are unacceptable. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by these terrible events,” Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau wrote on X.

Qatar

Qatar’s foreign ministry issued a statement saying Israel alone was responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence with the Palestinian people.

It called on both sides to exercise utmost restraint and calls on the international community to prevent Israel from using these events as an excuse to launch a disproportionate war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Russia

Russia said it is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries in connection with the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Interfax news agency reported, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.

“It goes without saying that we always call for restraint,” he added.

Saudi Arabia

The ministry called for an “immediate cessation of violence” between Israel and the Palestinians, the state news agency reported.

“We are following the unprecedented developments between a number of Palestinian factions and Israel occupation forces which has led to a high level of violence on a number of fronts”.

Spain

Spain’s acting Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on X that he condemned the attacks from Gaza against Israel.

“We strongly condemn the very serious terrorist attacks from Gaza against Israel. “Overwhelmed by this indiscriminate violence. All our solidarity (is) with the victims.”

The Czech Republic

“The attack conducted from the Gaza Strip is a deplorable act of terrorism against the State of Israel and the civilian population,” President Petr Pavel said in a statement

“The rocket attacks and the infiltration of Hamas commandos into Israel will block any efforts for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for a long time.”

Netanyahu postponed a trip to the Czech Republic, following the hostilities, a statement from the Czech presidential office said.

Turkey

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on Israelis and Palestinians to act with restraint and refrain from hostile acts that could exacerbate the situation.

“We call for restraint from all parties,” Erdogan said at a congress for his ruling AK Party in Ankara. “They must refrain from aggressive acts,” he said.

Ukraine

Ukraine’s foreign ministry condemned what it described as “ongoing terrorist attacks” on Israel.

“Ukraine strongly condemns the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel, including rocket attacks against the civilian population in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,” the ministry said on X.

“We express our support for Israel in its right to defend itself and its people.”

United Kingdom

The UK also criticised the attack by Hamas on Israel on Saturday, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.

The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians.

The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself.

— James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) October 7, 2023

 

Read Full Article

World reacts to surprise attack by Hamas on Israel – www.reuters.com

Excerpt:

Oct 7 (Reuters) – The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday in a surprise assault that combined gunmen crossing into several Israeli towns with a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.

Israel said it was on a war footing and began its own strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza, with Israeli media reporting gunbattles between bands of Palestinian fighters and security forces in southern Israel.

Here is reaction to the attack from around the world.

… DUTCH PRIME MINISTER MARK RUTTE

“Just spoke with Prime Minister @netanyahu about the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel. I told him that the Netherlands unequivocally condemns this terrorist violence and fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself,” Rutte said on social media.

UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

“Ukraine strongly condemns the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel, including rocket attacks against the civilian population in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,” the ministry said on X.

“We express our support for Israel in its right to defend itself and its people.”

AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALEXANDER SCHALLENBERG

Schallenberg strongly condemned what he called a “cowardly and underhand” attack on Israel by Hamas.

“Israel has the right to defend itself against this barbaric terror,” he said in a statement. “This attack goes beyond what we have seen in recent years. This is an entirely new dimension.”

SWISS DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

“We call for an immediate end to the violence and for the protection of civilians,” the department said on X.

BELGIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER HADJA LAHBIB

“Belgium strongly condemns the massive rocket attacks against Israeli civilians. Violence and terror only perpetuates suffering and hinders the path to dialogue. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We are monitoring the situation closely,” she said on X.

GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY

“Greece strongly condemns today’s launch of heavy rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel. Greece stands with Israel and is deeply concerned by this unacceptable escalation of violence,” the ministry posted on X.

Read Full Article

What regional leaders had to say on Hamas’ attack on Israel – www.news24.com

… Jordan 

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned of the “volatility” of the situation, “particularly in light of what cities and areas of the West Bank are witnessing of Israeli attacks and violations against the Palestinian people”.

The Hamas assault follows months of surging violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with fatalities in the occupied West Bank reaching a scale not seen in years.

Jordan and Egypt were the first two countries in the region to agree peace deals with Israel.

 UAE 

The United Arab Emirates called for “an immediate ceasefire” and “exercising the utmost restraint,” state news agency WAM reported.

“The UAE has expressed its sincere condolences to all the victims of the recent crisis,” a foreign ministry statement said, stressing the importance of protecting civilians.

Abu Dhabi normalised relations with Israel in 2020 under the US-backed Abraham Accords, along with Bahrain and Morocco.

 Morocco

“The Kingdom of Morocco expresses its deep concern at the deterioration of the situation and the outbreak of military action in the Gaza Strip, and condemns attacks against civilians wherever they may be,” a foreign ministry statement said.

 Arab League 

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit called for “an immediate halt to military operations in Gaza” and “the cycle of armed confrontation between the two sides”.

He said: “Israel’s continued implementation of violent and extremist policies is a time bomb depriving the region of any serious opportunity for stability in the foreseeable future.”

 Yemen 

Huthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa said they supported “the heroic jihadist operation”.

In a statement published on the website of the Huthi-controlled SABA news agency, the Iran-aligned militant group said the attack “revealed the weakness, fragility and impotence” of Israel.

It called the operation “a battle of dignity, pride, and defence”.

Read Full Article

Iran Praises Hamas Terror Attack on Israel as a ‘Proud Operation’ – RedState – redstate.com

U.S. REACTS

U.S. leaders vow support for Israel after deadly Hamas attacks: “There is never any justification for terrorism” – www.cbsnews.com

Excerpt:

Political leaders in the U.S. are vowing to support Israel after a surprise early-morning attack by Hamas militants.

The attack has killed at least 200 people in Israel so far, and hundreds more are reportedly injured. The multi-front attack began with rocket fire, and then expanded as Hamas members invaded Israel from Gaza. In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the country is “at war” and swore the militants “will pay an unprecedented price.” The Associated Press reported that nearly 200 people have died in Palestine, with hundreds of injuries reported, in Israel’s response.

President Joe Biden called Netanyahu Saturday morning. The Israeli president said Mr. Biden “emphasized that the U.S. stands alongside Israel” and “fully supports” the country’s right to self-defense. Netanyahu characterized Biden’s support as “unreserved.”

The White House told CBS News that Mr. Biden, who met with Netanyahu last month, has been briefed on the situation and will “continue to receive updates” as officials “remain in close contact with Israeli partners.”

… Congressional leaders react

The leaders of both political parties have also issued statements about the situation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, called the attacks “absolutely horrific” in a statement shared on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

“The U.S. stands with Israel in its unwavering right to defend itself. I stand ready to ensure Israel has the support to do so,” Schumer said.

The terrorist attacks by Hamas on the people of Israel are absolutely horrific. The U.S. stands with Israel in its unwavering right to defend itself. I stand ready to ensure Israel has the support to do so. My prayers are with the dead, reported hostages, and hundreds injured.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 7, 2023

Rep. Patrick McHenry, Republican of North Carolina, the speaker pro tempore and temporary leader of congressional Republicans after Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Republican of California, was ousted from the speakership earlier this week, called Israel the U.S.’ “most sacred ally” on X.

“America stands with Israel,” McHenry said. “The Israeli people have our unwavering support and the Israeli government has every right to defend its citizens against this act of war.”

America stands with Israel.

The vicious attack on our most sacred ally by Hamas terrorists cannot stand. The Israeli people have our unwavering support and the Israeli government has every right to defend its citizens against this act of war.

— Patrick McHenry (@PatrickMcHenry) October 7, 2023

Sen. Ben Cardin, Democrat of Maryland, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement that he condemned “the brazen and ongoing terrorist attack.”

“I mourn those lost and my heart goes out to their families. May their memory be for a blessing,” Cardin said. “Just as the United States stood by Israel after it was attacked exactly 50 years ago on Yom Kippur, today we stand by Israel in this time of crisis. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I am committed to ensuring that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its citizens, today and every day.”

The chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Sen. Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia, called the attack “unprovoked and despicable” in a statement.

“Today, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and despicable attack on Israeli civilians,” he said. “The United States must stand firmly beside our friend and partner Israel as it defends its security and its citizens,” and he said the committee would “continue to monitor the situation closely.”

NBC Breaks Out ‘Extreme Right’ Label As Israel Works To Save Hostages – www.newsbusters.org

Excerpt:

NBC’s Raf Sanchez picked the worst possible time to break out the “extreme right” labeling as he reported from Israel on Saturday’s Today in the aftermath of the massive Hamas terrorist attacks and the possibility that the “extreme right” Israeli government may decide to invade Gaza to rescue the hostages there.

Host Laura Jarrett wondered, “Raf, we know this is all unfolding right now. It’s obviously an active situation. But talk to us about the hostages. What are we talking about in terms of how many people and the plan to get them back?”

Sanchez’s immediate response wasn’t so bad, “The Israeli government, the Israeli people, the state of Israel puts an enormous value on getting its people back, whether they are alive or whether they are dead. And if there are live Israelis, soldiers, but especially if there are civilians inside of Gaza right now, there is almost no length that the Israeli government will not go to get them back.”

However, he then, for some inexplicable reason, decided to make things partisan, “And it may be that this Israeli government, this extreme right Israeli government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu, feels it has no choice but to launch a major ground offensive inside of Gaza to rescue these Israeli hostages.”

NYC pro-Palestine rally splits Democrats over Israel – www.politico.com

Excerpt:

The rally — attended by more than 1,000 pro-Palestine backers, who chanted “Resistance is justified when people are occupied” — highlighted differences over how progressive members responded to the attacks.

Mainstream Democrats were quick to call out anything less than unequivocal support for Israel.

“The NYC-DSA is revealing itself for what it truly is: an antisemitic stain on the soul of America’s largest city,” Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres wrote on X. “There is a special place in hell for those who glorify the cold-blooded murder of civilians and children.”

“The Squad” members, which includes members of Democratic Socialists and who have long supported Palestinians, were knocked by Republicans and some members of their party for not noting Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks.

“.@AOC do you agree with these lunatics?” Hudson Valley GOP Rep. Mike Lawler, who has a large Jewish population in his district, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Yesterday’s terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas and sponsored by Iran is the fault of Israel? You should denounce this if you don’t agree with it.”

… Rep. Cori Bush, (D-Mo.) a Democratic Socialist, was more critical of Israel than some of her colleagues.

“As part of achieving a just and lasting peace, we must do our part to stop this violence and trauma by ending U.S government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid,” she said in a statement.

… The Times Square protest was organized by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, the Palestinian Youth Movement and other groups.

The group began in Times Square where they were met by dozens of pro-Israel protesters, but then marched east toward the Consulate General of Israel, where a concurrent rally in support of Israel was taking place.

Over 100 NYPD officers and NYC personnel were on the scene coordinating the march and setting up barricades.

The NYPD barricaded the scene, about a block away from the consulate, preventing the two groups from clashing.

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GOV. WHITMER ROASTED OVER SLOW, ‘GOBBLEDEGOOK’ RESPONSE TO HAMAS ATTACKS ON ISRAEL: ‘SAY THEIR NAMES’

Aryeh Lightstone (left), who’s in Israel witnessing the conflict as it unfolds, told Fox News Digital he was shocked by the “fraudulent nature” of Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s response. (Aryeh Lightstone, John Nacion/WireImage)

Elaborating on his comments, Lightstone — who’s in Israel witnessing the conflict as it unfolds — told Fox News Digital he was shocked by the “fraudulent nature” of Whitmer’s response.

“The job of a leader is to know the difference between right and wrong. The job of a politician is apparently to say nothing, and she demonstrated that she’s a politician,” he said.

“She watched this happen in real time. And to watch women and children be kidnapped and raped and murdered, and to not be able to say something? She should resign immediately,” Lightstone said of Whitmer.

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The Second Day

Israel will cut off its supply of electricity to Gaza: Energy minister – www.reddit.com

Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners | Israel-Palestine conflict News – www.aljazeera.com

Excerpt:

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri says group expects fighting with Israel to continue after major operation.

A senior Hamas leader has said that the group had captured enough Israeli soldiers during an unprecedented attack against Israel to make Israeli authorities free all Palestinian prisoners in its jails.

“We managed to kill and capture many Israeli soldiers. The fighting is still on,” Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chief of Hamas’s political bureau, told Al Jazeera on Saturday.

“Our detainees in [Israeli] prisons, their freedom is looming large. What we have in our hands will release all our prisoners. The longer fighting continues, the higher the number of prisoners will become,” added al-Arouri, who said senior officers were among those captured, but did not provide any figures.

According to the latest figures by Addameer, a prisoners’ rights NGO, nearly 5,200 Palestinians are in Israeli jails, including 33 women, 170 minors and more than 1,200 placed under administrative detention.

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UN Security Council to meet over Hamas attacks on Israel – www.dailytelegraph.com.au

Excerpt:

The United Nations Security Council is due to meet on Sunday after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday, diplomats said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack by Hamas and urged “all diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflagration, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. FRANCE 24’s Jessica Le Masurier reports.

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Brazil to Call Emergency Meeting of UN Security Council Over Attack on Israel – U.S. News & World Report – www.usnews.com

Excerpt:

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday it would convene an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council following the biggest attack on Israel in years.

Brazil, which assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council this month, condemned the attacks in a public statement and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel. It also reaffirmed a commitment to a “two-state solution,” with Palestine and Israel coexisting within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the largest attack on Israel in years on Saturday, killing at least 40 people and injuring hundreds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate, declaring his country was at war.

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Israeli Opposition Leader Calls for Emergency Government After Meeting Netanyahu – www.wsj.com

Excerpt:

Israeli Opposition leader Yair Lapid called for the formation of a unity government after meeting Saturday evening with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lapid said such a government should be “an emergency, narrow, professional government with him to manage the difficult and complex operation ahead of us.”

Lapid said Netanyahu understood that he can’t manage a war with his current government, which is dependent on far-right parties with limited security experience and hasn’t commanded a majority support in polls in many months.

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Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas targets – defence-blog.com

Excerpt:

The Israel Defense Forces said that “dozens” fighter jets have struck near the Gaza border fence in Beit Hanun. According to an IDF statement, Israeli forces continued efforts to clear terrorists from a number of Israeli towns and bases on the second day of the war. The Israeli Air Forse also confirmed that during the […]

The post Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas targets first appeared on Defence Blog.

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Israel-Hamas war LIVE updates: US moves warships closer to Israel – www.hindustantimes.com

Excerpt:

Israel-Hamas war: 19 members of Palestinian family killed in air strike in Gaza

Israel-Hamas war LIVE: Nasser Abu Quta said 19 members of his family including his wife were killed when an airstrike hit their home, where they were huddling on the ground floor in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

There were no militants in his building, he insisted. “This is a safe house, with children and women,” the 57-year-old Abu Quta said by telephone. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the strike. Another strike in the same city early Monday killed 11, including women and children.

As of late Sunday, the retaliatory Israeli airstrikes had destroyed 159 housing units across Gaza and severely damaged 1,210 others, the U.N. said. It said the number of displaced Gazans had jumped by tens of thousands, to more than 123,000. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said a school sheltering more than 225 people took a direct hit. It did not say where the fire came from.

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UN Security Council meets on Gaza-Israel, but fails to agree on statement | Israel-Palestine conflict News – www.aljazeera.com

Excerpt:

US pushes for harsh condemnation of Hamas but fails to achieve the consensus necessary for a statement.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has met behind closed doors in an emergency session amid the war between Israel and Gaza but failed to achieve the unanimity needed for a joint statement.

At least 1,100 people have already been killed since Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls the blockaded Gaza Strip, launched an assault on Israeli towns on Saturday and took hundreds of people hostage.

Israel retaliated by declaring a state of war and pounding densely-populated Gaza, killing hundreds of people.

The United States called on the council’s 15 members to strongly condemn Hamas.

“There are a good number of countries that condemned the Hamas attacks. They’re obviously not all,” senior US diplomat Robert Wood told reporters after the session.

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The Blame Game

Republicans Shred Biden For Unfreezing $6 Billion In Iranian Assets Ahead Of Hamas Invasion – conservativebrief.com

Excerpt:

After the brutal, unprovoked attacks on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas, many Republicans focused on President Joe Biden and the recent deal he made with Iran.

Rockets rained down on Israel from the Gaza Strip this weekend as Hamas terrorists stormed the border and kidnapped and murdered men, women, and children.

The videos and images were horrifying and shocking, and many speculated that the attacks were, in part, funded by Iran, though no concrete evidence has yet determined that.

But considering Iran’s history of hatred for Israel and its history of supporting terrorist groups, many Republicans shredded the president for negotiating with them.

“Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed terrorists,” Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn said. “We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks.”

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“Biden just gave Hamas sponsor Iran $6 billion. Today, innocent Israeli citizens have paid with their lives for his and the Obama holdovers’ venal incompetence. America must unflinchingly support Israel’s right of self defense in all its fullness. God bless and save Israel,” North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop said.

“Iran-controlled Hamas terrorists launched a literal war against Israel last night. Our Israeli allies will now do what they must to defend themselves and I stand with them as they confront this violence and these atrocities. The United States must continue to support Israel’s absolute right to self-defense and ensure it has the military resources and diplomatic support it needs to confront the genocidal Iran-controlled terrorists who seek Israel’s destruction,” Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said.

“This is a clear attack on Israel. We must fully #StandWithIsrael to defend itself & stand strong on the front lines of terrorism,” Texas Rep. Chip Roy said. “We must act quickly to help Israel & reverse the damage of Biden’s $6BB funding of an Iranian regime backing each of the groups likely involved.”

“Iran is the biggest funder of Hamas. This is the Biden $6 billion ransom payment at work,” Republican presidential candidate and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said.

The administration of Biden, meanwhile, has hit back against the claims that any of the $6 billion was spent on the attacks.

“Not a single cent from these funds has been spent, and when it is spent, it can only be spent on things like food and medicine for the Iranian people,” Adrienne Watson, a National Security Council spokesperson, said.

“These funds have absolutely nothing to do with the horrific attacks today and this is not the time to spread disinformation,” she said.

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Iran ‘helped Hamas terrorists plot surprise attack’ on Israel over several weeks as death toll hits grim 1,000 milestone – www.thesun.co.uk

Excerpt:

IRAN reportedly helped Hamas terrorists plot their surprise attack on Israel over several weeks.

It comes as the death toll hit the grim milestone of more than 1,000.

The ayatollah shared a clip of terrified civilians fleeing a music festival where Hamas killed 260 people

Hamas insiders said that top officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had worked on the plans since August – and gave the go-ahead at a meeting in Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday.

Militants from Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia that runs much of Lebanon and has often clashed with Israel, also said Iran helped plot the slaughter.

Revolutionary Guard leader Ismail Qaani reportedly led the meetings, which were attended by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas’s Saleh al-Arouri.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also sat in on two of the fortnightly meetings in Beirut.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini praised the attacks on Twitter on Sunday.

He said: “God willing, the cancer of the usurper Zionist regime will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the Resistance forces throughout the region.”

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Blinken says U.S. has ‘not yet seen’ evidence of Iran involvement in Hamas attack on Israel – www.cnbc.com

Excerpt:

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that it is not clear there was any involvement by Iran in the weekend attack by Hamas on Israel.

Iran has long been a supporter of Hamas, the group designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization, whose attack on Saturday left at least 250 in Israel dead.

“We have not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack, but there is certainly a long relationship,” Blinken said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Some Republican leaders have pointed to Iran as a cause of the attack. Rep Michael McCaul (R-TX) said later on CNN that “we do know that Iran was behind this” but did not specify whether he was talking about specific information on this weekend’s attack or just the country’s historic support of Hamas in general.

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Saudi-Israel ties may have motivated Hamas attack: Blinken – www.ctvnews.ca

Excerpt:

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said part of the motivation for Hamas’ latest attack on Israel may have been disrupting a potential normalizing of Israel-Saudi Arabia ties and said Washington will announce new assistance for Israel on Sunday.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise that part of the motivation may have been to disrupt efforts to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel together, along with other countries that may be interested in normalizing relations with Israel,” Blinken told CNN in an interview on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he believed his country was on the cusp of peace with Saudi Arabia, predicting it could reshape the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, the home of Islam’s two holiest shrines, has long insisted on the Palestinians’ right to statehood as a condition of recognizing Israel – something that many members of Netanyahu’s nationalist religious coalition have long resisted.

The Fallout

Israel facing security ‘earthquake’ and ‘battle for national survival,’ expert says – National – globalnews.ca

Excerpt:

A former deputy national security advisor for Israel is calling the attack by Hamas this weekend an “earthquake” for the country and people’s sense of security, and says the conflict has become a “battle for national survival.”

Chuck Freilich made the comments in an interview with The West Block‘s Mercedes Stephenson on Sunday, a day after Hamas militants launched a slew of rockets into Israel’s south, as well as attacks by land and sea, in what is being seen as an unprecedented attack.

More than 600 in Israel have been killed, according to government numbers, with claims by Hamas of capturing military soldiers and reports of residents also being abducted.

“This is one of the worst developments in Israel’s history. It’s the first time since the War of Independence in 1948 that Israeli territory was occupied even briefly,” said Freilich, a professor of political science at Columbia University and previously a deputy national security adviser in Israel.

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Hamas attack has abruptly altered the picture for Middle East diplomacy | Arab and Middle East unrest – amp.theguardian.com

Excerpt:

Arab and Middle East unrest

Iran wants to make it impossible for Saudi Arabia to strike deal with Israel, while others in region cannot afford mayhem in Gaza

As the death toll rises, and the security consequences multiply, Israel is pointing its finger of accusation at Tehran for orchestrating the attacks by Hamas. The attacks may have been born of anger, specifically at the months-long behaviour of the Netanyahu coalition, including the provocations at al-Aqsa mosque, but Iran and the forces it supports have a longer-term strategic goal: to thwart the US-led effort to achieve a normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, a move that would entrench the US in the Middle East – and in Iran’s eyes deprive the Palestinians of their last influential sponsor.

Iran’s goal is to denormalise the region, and make it near-impossible for Saudi Arabia to strike a deal. Israel, by contrast, wants to shrink the Palestinian conflict diplomatically so it gradually becomes an irrelevance, a historical curio such as the Yom Kippur war. The aid it drip-feeds to Gaza via Qatar is one leg of this strategy.

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Fury as Old Glory is burned alongside the Israeli flag in Pakistan, Yemen and Iraq after Hamas terrorists launch brutal attack on Israel killing at least 900 – www.dailymail.co.uk

Excerpt:

Dramatic Images of the U.S. and Israel flag engulfed in flames has started to emerge across the world, after Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on Israel.

Around 600 Israelis are believed to have been killed and more than 370 Palestinians are dead with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of a ‘long and difficult war’ ahead.

Nations across the world watching the violence unfold in the region appear to have already chosen sides in the conflict, which has so far been the bloodiest weekend in the region for 50 years.

Kidnapped Israelis biggest challenge for PM Benjamin Netanyahu – m.tribuneindia.com

Excerpt:

For Israel, the fate of its kidnapped civilians and soldiers will be its biggest worry, regardless of the trajectory of its ongoing war with Hamas.

Israel puts a high price on the lives of its citizens and Mossad hit squads have travelled to far-off destinations to launch spectacular rescue or retaliatory operations. But it gets complicated when Israel must free its citizens from the rival’s custody.

… In 2011, for one Israeli soldier, Tel Aviv released over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners after five years of negotiations. In 1985, it similarly released over 1,150 PLO and Hezbollah prisoners. The deal to get back hundreds of Israeli women, children and military men taken away into Gaza Strip by Hamas militants will be humungous. To make matters tougher, Hamas has also announced that it has Israeli army commanders in custody. In fact, intense negotiations have been held on even the transfer of remains.

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Rescuers find 260 bodies at site of Hamas Israeli festival massacre | World | News – www.express.co.uk

Excerpt:

Israeli emergency services have reported the discovery of 260 bodies at the site of a music festival near the border with Gaza which was attacked by armed Hamas terrorists.

The Supernova Sukkot Festival near Kibbutz Re’im had been hosting a rave and was packed with young partying Israelis when Hamas fighters struck without warning.

Having broken through the Gaza border defences, the Palestinian terrorists managed to overrun military bases and checkpoints killing or capturing the soldiers inside before moving on into surrounding settlements.

Arriving at the festival the gunmen open fire from the back of pickup trucks on the helpless festivalgoers.

Emergency workers working to count the dead have reported removing at least 260 bodies from the scene of the massacre.

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