The U.S. appears to be working to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from becoming a regional war, sending carrier groups to deter Iran and other states from joining the war while Israel hopes a mass migration to the south of Gaza of its citizens will prevent civilian loss of life during the planned invasion. As of right now, the invasion has not begun, save for some probing assaults, and the world, including the U.S., is sending mixed signals in its support and condemnation of Israel.
Iran has signaled its willingness to join the war should Israel carry out with the planned ground invasion. America has warned Iran not get involved, sending two carrier task forces to the region to deter Iran.
America, through Biden and Blinken, is sending mixed signals to Israel, supporting their “right” to defend themselves but warning Israel not to purge Gaza of Palestinians, nor to occupy Gaza when the war is over. America’s political factions aren’t even on the same page, with Republicans mostly showing unquestioning support for Israel’s actions while Democrat leaders like Schummer support Israel but have already called for a cease-fire. Biden supports the elimination of Hamas but not the occupation of Gaza by Israeli forces.
Meanwhile within Israel itself, protests have happened outside the Defense Ministry calling for Netanyahu to resign. The Prime Minister is being blamed by many for failing to prevent these assaults. Netanyahu’s support has eroded in public opinion polls while those of his rival, opposition leader Benny Gantz have been rising.
Israel has called for a ceasefire in Southern Gaza, hoping to encourage more Palestinians to leave Northern Gaza, their primary target. Hamas, however, has been calling for its citizens to remain put and has even (allegedly) set up road blocks to prevent them from leaving.
While Netanyahu and Gantz have formed a unity government, Netanyahu won’t work with a Gaza Strip Task Force headed by one of his judicial reform opponents, Maor General Roni Numa. Netanyahu also denies claims he ignored a report warning of the attack, saying he never received such report, which appears to be true, though there were reports. Allegedly it was middle management that didn’t take the reports seriously so they didn’t pass them up the chain of command.
Israel has confirmed Hamas has 155 hostages, and Netanyahu has met with some of the families of the hostages.
To the north, Israel still faces the potential of Iran-backed Hezbollah joining the war as exchanges of gunfire, rockets, and mortars continue on a daily basis.
Israeli tanks have been assembled along the border, with some being fired on by anti-tank missiles (no reports of lost tanks). They have, however, lost a helicopter, which as destroyed by Hamas fighters using anti-tank guided missiles.
Nations in the China-Russia orbit tend to support Hamas, with both Russia and China calling for an immediate ceasefire and China going so far as to call for the Palestianisns to be free. France and Germany in the West have signaled the greatest support for Israel while the U.S. has given the most material aid in the form of aircraft carrier presence and munitions.
The Israelis find themselves between the necessity of eliminating an existential threat without losing more support as that effort produces real and fake stories of civilian deaths and suffering, especially among children.
Below is a news link aggregation report on the events over the weekend:
Iran Issues Ominous Threat to the US and Deadline Warning to Israel – www.newsweek.com
Protest outside Defense Ministry grows with calls for Netanyahu to resign – www.timesofisrael.com
Israel Gaza live: Biden warns against occupation as Egypt reopens border – www.independent.co.uk
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says expelling Gazans ‘non-starter’ – m.timesofindia.com
Biden says Hamas must be eliminated, US officials warn of escalation – www.reuters.com
Palestinian Authority President Criticizes Hamas in Call With Venezuelan Leader – www.wsj.com
US in Frantic Bid to Avert Wider Israel War After Iran Warning – www.bnnbloomberg.ca
U.N. Base in Lebanon Hit by Blast as Israel, Hezbollah Trade Fire – www.wsj.com
Israeli Poll Shows Netanyahu’s Popularity Drops, Gantz Surges After Hamas Attack – www.bloomberg.com
Israel’s Netanyahu Meets With Expanded Cabinet for First Time – www.wsj.com
Netanyahu denies receiving prior warning of possible Hamas attack – www.ft.com
Hamas Holding 155 Hostages: Israel Army – www.ndtv.com
Israel confirms 126 people being held hostage by Hamas | Israel – www.theguardian.com
Netanyahu meets with families of Israeli hostages – NBC News – www.nbcnews.com
‘Injustice’ against Palestinians can’t continue – China — RT World News – www.rt.com
Schumer denounces US anti-Israel protests and calls for ceasefire – nypost.com
Hamas fighters destroy an Israeli helicopter with anti-tank guided missile – defence-blog.com
Momo Buys On Iran Hinting At Second Front And Israel Issuing An … – Nasdaq – www.nasdaq.com
Israel-Gaza: Iran Warns Israel to “Stop Before It’s Too Late” – Greek Reporter – greekreporter.com
US diplomats told to avoid calls for Gaza ‘ceasefire’ — RT World News – www.rt.com
Israel conflict latest: US defence secretary urges Israel to ‘uphold the laws of war’ – www.ft.com
IDF Performed ‘Localized Raids’ in Gaza – legalinsurrection.com
Israel prepares ground assault on Gaza as Palestinians flee By Reuters – www.investing.com
Israel at War: IDF says ready to attack Hamas on three fronts | Defense News – www.jpost.com
Hamas terrorists ordered to attack schools in Israel – HotAir – hotair.com
Bodies of missing Israelis were found during the raid in Gaza – Israel News – www.jpost.com
U.S. Push to Evacuate Americans from Gaza as Egypt Denies Passage to Evacuees – www.wsj.com
US boosts Middle East firepower in case Israel-Hamas war spreads – www.reuters.com
U.S. Supports Israel With Billions in Military Hardware – www.wsj.com
U.S. sends A-10 Warthog attack jets to Middle East to back Israel – www.washingtontimes.com
Israel resumes water supply to southern Gaza after U.S. pressure – Axios – www.axios.com
Israel: Gaza UN shelters run out of water, medics overwhelmed – www.ctvnews.ca
UN chief urges ‘all leaders’ to speak out against antisemitic, anti-Muslim rhetoric – www.aol.com
The U.N. warns the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening – www.msnbc.com
Israel claims to have killed a top Hamas commander – www.politico.com
Germany to send more Leopard tanks as part of “winter package” to Ukraine – www.army-technology.com
Can Egypt be persuaded to accept Gazan refugees? – www.economist.com
Punish Iran For Terror Support, Says Israeli Ambassador To UN – www.iranintl.com
Army Says Over 600,000 Gazans Have Fled South – finance.yahoo.com
Turkey says Israel’s call for Gazans to move south ‘inhumane’ – www.straitstimes.com
Hamas tells Gaza residents to stay put as Israel ground offensive looms – www.reuters.com
‘Mass displacement’ toward southern Gaza, says UN – www.news24.com
Gazans Flee South After Israel Orders Evacuation – www.nytimes.com
Palestinians flee northern Gaza after Israel orders 1 million to evacuate – ktla.com
Twin Attacks Hit Syrian Airports; Damascus Blames Israel – www.wsj.com
Arab Citizens of Israel Were Killed in the Hamas-Led Attacks – www.nytimes.com
Iraqi Parliament condemns Israeli aggression against Gaza – www.iraqinews.com
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