OT subject but worth a main-stream read- OT News Feeds...

"The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted its latest “targeted raid” into Gaza yesterday. While the IDF has framed this raid as “part of preparations for the next stages of combat,” it is unclear if this raid differs from previous ones since the war broke out. BBC News reports. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday said that Israel was “preparing for a ground incursion” into Gaza but did not give a specific timeline. He added the public does not have details of the incursion, “and that’s the way it is supposed to be.” In a televised statement, the Israeli prime minister said his war cabinet was “working around the clock” to reach victory. He added the public does not have details of the incursion, “and that’s the way it is supposed to be.” Bryan Pietsch reports for the Washington Post. 

U.N. fuel supplies are expected to run out in Gaza today, U.N. spokesperson Tamara Alrifai said. A lack of fuel will have severe knock-on effects, such as making water desalination impossible and limiting wheat deliveries to bakeries. “Equally important is the fuel for the generators for the electricity in hospitals for life-support machines to continue to function,” she added. Ian Sherwood reports for NBC News.

Israel has agreed for now to delay its ground invasion of Gaza in order to give the U.S. military more time to install air defenses to protect its troops in the Middle East, according to U.S. officials and people familiar with Israeli planning. The United States aims to have the air defenses in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the U.A.E as early as later this week. The United States requested the delay after its troops had already come under rocket and drone attacks from Iranian-backed militia groups. Dion Nissenbaum, Gordon Lubold, Dov Lieber, and Omar Abdel-Baqui report for the Wall Street Journal."

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted more targeted raids yesterday in central Gaza, deploying ground forces, fighter jets, and drones. Dozens of targets were struck, including anti-tank missile launch sites, military command and control centers, and Hamas fighters. The IDF claims to have killed a senior Hamas commander who helped plan the Oct. 7 attack. BBC News reports. 

Fuel shortages in Gaza have led to the closure of bakeries, while shelters housing tens of thousands of families are turning off the lights in a bid to conserve energy. The U.N. has said that a dozen of the 35 hospitals in Gaza and around two-thirds of 72 primary healthcare clinics have been forced to shut down. The Israeli Defense Forces have disputed that Gaza has a fuel shortage by referring to the thousands of rockets Hamas continues to fire at Israel. Chao Deng reports for the Wall Street Journal.

Forty-nine percent of Israelis believe “it would be better to wait” rather than invade Gaza immediately, according to a poll published today. A similar poll from a week ago found 65 percent support for a large-scale ground offensive. The newspaper publishing the recent poll has suggested the hostage situation may account for the lower approval rating. Hamas claims about 50 hostages have been killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza. Reuters reports.

The U.S. Air Force conducted two airstrikes against weapons and ammunition storage facilities used by Iran’s military and proxies in Syria earlier today. The strikes were a response to the recent attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin said. Striking targets used by Iran, not just its proxies, is an escalation in the rising tensions between the United States and Iran. Eric Schmitt reports for the New York Times. 

About 900 more U.S. troops are deploying to the Middle East amid rising tensions, the Pentagon said. The deployments include air defense systems. No troops will be sent to Israel, but they are “intended to support regional deterrence efforts and further bolster U.S. force protection capabilities.” The news follows several attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East, which caused minor injuries to 21 U.S. service members between Oct. 17 and 18. Haley Britzky report for CNN.

Members of the Hamas leadership met with senior Russian officials in Moscow yesterday, discussing the hostage situation and the evacuation of Russian nationals. An Iranian deputy foreign minister was also in Moscow. The meetings may be part of Russia’s efforts to provide an alternative, non-western, platform for addressing global issues. Israel said Russia’s invitation of Hamas members was “a reprehensible step that gives support to terrorism and legitimacy to the horrific acts of Hamas terrorists.” Ivan Nechepurenko reports for the New York Times. "

"In past wars against Hamas, Israel moved quickly to invade Gaza, seeking to degrade the militant group’s ability to fire rockets into the country. Now Tel Aviv’s stated aim is Hamas’s destruction. In the three weeks since the group killed 1,400 people in Israel, it has staged several limited ground incursions into Gaza, the latest on Friday night. The stakes are high for Israel, from the lives of some 200 hostages to worries about triggering a regional war. While US President Joe Biden has expressed strong supportfor Israel’s professed goals, he’s advised delay of any full-scale invasion as he seeks to win release of the hostages and insure the flow of much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. The Pentagon is also scrambling to put defensive measures in place for US assets that may come under attack (Iran has warned of such escalation, and skirmishes between the two are increasing). At the same time, global outrage has been rising at the massive number of Palestinian casualties inflicted by Israel, with more than 7,000 dead—including thousands of children. As the Israel Defense Forces lay waste to large swathes of the Gaza Strip, Biden has urged Israel to consider America’s mistakes after the 9/11 attacks–and to have a clear plan for the aftermath. “Anything that could lower risks and collateral damage, while still attaining the goal of crippling Hamas, is worth consideration.” Marc Champion writes in Bloomberg Opinion. But Israel hasn’t expressed interest in following the advice of world leaders that it revive the two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians."

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his country has launched its “second war for independence” against Hamas. Further details of Israel’s military ground assault remain shrouded in secrecy, including their soldier numbers, artillery stock, and how far into Gaza they have reached. The U.N. said that the ground operations coincided with “the most intense Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling” since the war broke out three weeks ago. Shira Rubin, William Booth and Ilan Ben Zion report for the Washington Post.  

Concern rises for patients and staff at Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city. In a voice note, Dr Marwan Abusada said that 55,000 internally displaced people are “occupying each square metre” of the hospital, with patients “invading” its corridors. Around 100 patients were moved to other hospitals over the weekend, but the situation in the hospital remains “catastrophic,” said Dr. Abusada. Israel’s military has claimed that Hamas’ main base is underneath the Al Shifa hospital, although Hamas rejects that claim. Staff at the hospital have called for it to be protected, following reports that Israeli warplanes had carried out strikes near the hospital last night. BBC News reports.

Hostage-release discussions have been stalled after Hamas demanded that Israel permit fuel deliveries to Gaza. A former U.S. official claimed that while talks were going well on Thursday, negotiations broke down on Friday. Public statements by the White House announced support for pauses to allow resources in, as well as to allow people out. “That includes pushing for fuel to get in and for the restoration of electrical power,” John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesperson added. Keir Simmons, Ken Dilanian and Josh Lederman report for NBC News. 

An anonymous senior U.S. official claimed the United States pressured Israel to restore internet and cellular connectivity in the Gaza Strip. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity, claiming the Biden administration “made it clear [communications] had to be turned back on.” The Washington Post reports.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi yesterday said on X that Israel had “crossed the red lines, which may force everyone to take action,” raising fears of a wider regional war involving Iran and its proxy forces in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Iran warned last week that it could launch a missile at Haifa, northern Israel, if the Israeli defense forces engage in a full ground offensive into Gaza. Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, claims “there is a real risk of escalation.” Alexander Smith reports for NBC News. "

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a cease-fire yesterday, saying that while the Bible says there is a time for peace, “this is a time for war.”  Netanyahu drew parallels to the United States saying “just as the United States would not agree to a ceasefire after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, or after the terrorist attacks of 9/11…Israel will not agree to a cessation of hostilities with Hamas after the horrific attacks of October 7.” When questioned whether he has thought of stepping down, Netanyahu replied the only thing he would resign is Hamas. Kyle Blaine reports for CNN. 

Israel has attacked Hamas gunmen inside the tunnel network beneath Gaza as it expands ground operations inside Gaza. The Israel Defence Forces said in a statement that their combat forces struck “approximately 300 targets including anti-tank missile and rocket launch posts below shafts, as well as military compounds inside underground tunnels belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization.” Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose report for Reuters.

As Israeli troops focus on northern Gaza, 800,000 Palestinians are estimated to have fled south. The U.N agency for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA says that approximately 672,000 Palestinians are sheltering in schools and other building facilities, which it says is four times their capacity. The head of the UNRWA accused Israel of “collective punishment” of Palestinians. Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy report for AP News.

The U.N. announced that Palestinian attacks in the West Bank are increasing, with at least 115 killed, more than 2,000 injured, and nearly 1,000 others forcibly displaced by Israeli forces and settlers. Among the death toll are 33 children, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The West Bank violence has increased significantly over the past three weeks, with rates of violent incidents doubling since the beginning of 2023. Maria Abi-Habib and Rami Nazzal report for the New York Times.

The Lebanese army claimed yesterday it found 21 rocket launchers set up by Iranian-backed militant group Lebanese Hezbollah on the side of its border with Israel. The launchers were all dismantled, although one was fitted with a rocket ready to be fired, the Lebanese army claimed. It comes after Hezbollah said yesterday it attacked two Israeli posts, with Israel’s military confirming they returned fire into Lebanon. No injuries were reported. Summer Said reports for the Wall Street Journal.

The U.N. yesterday called for the opening of the Israel-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing to allow aid into Gaza. U.N. officials said the crossing is the only one able to “rapidly process a sufficiently large number of trucks” carrying humanitarian supplies into Gaza. Since Oct.21, aid deliveries have been made through the Rafah crossing, which borders Egypt. “More than one entry point into Gaza is indispensable if we are to make a difference,” the U.N. spokesperson said. Kelsey Ables reports for the Washington Post. "