news

Gazans react to the video released by Al-Qassam Brigades: https://nitter.cz/AoR3138/status/1720904709777527277

Hezbollah's 'Ridwan' Special Forces uploaded this image

The caption reads:

'I swear by the palm of the hand that lifted the door of your Marhab, with the cry of 'Ya Haidar' we will uproot you from existence.'

Marhab was the most notorious Jewish warrior in Arabia during the time of Muhammad (s). He was killed by the Prophet's close companion Ali ibn Abi Talib, also known as 'Haidar', during the battle of Khaybar, a Jewish fortress in Arabia.

Islamic history states that Ali was given miraculous power by God, lifting up the gates of the Jewish fortress with one hand, before entering and defeating the enemy, and killing Marhab in one-on-one combat.

Realistically the odds of Nasrallah one day appearing on TAFS are greater than zero.

Israel’s UN ambassador said Sunday that he wore a yellow star at a recent Security Council hearing to “shock” the body into condemning Hamas, after his action drew rebukes even from home.

Gilad Erdan’s choice a week ago to wear the badge, which has come to symbolize the oppression of Jews since its imposition in Nazi-occupied Europe, was swiftly criticized by Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, which urged him to wear the Israeli flag instead.

“This act disgraces the victims of the Holocaust as well as the state of Israel,” the memorial’s chair Dani Dayan said in a Hebrew-language post on X, formerly Twitter.

Speaking to CNN on Sunday, Erdan defended the move and denounced the Security Council again for its “silence” over the unprecedented attacks by Hamas Palestinian militants against Israel on October 7.

“I just want to emphasize that my goal was to first of all shock the Security Council,” Erdan said of his controversial choice to wear the star.

The deeply divided 15-member body has yet to adopt a single resolution on the attack or on Israel’s decision to launch a retaliatory war against Hamas.

“I wanted to shock them. I wanted to remind them of their silence and I wanted to convey a message that we - not like in the past - we are not weak as we were during the Holocaust,” Erdan said Sunday.

That's The Guardian quoting Agence France-Presse.

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I'd like to meet Gilad Erdan in private. And have a pleasant discussion about the yellow star and Minecraft.

Just a few hours after I pointed out it was bullshit but the Labour ghouls were coming for him anyway, Andy McDonald has been suspended.

UAW Wins Tentative Contract Deal With Final Big Three Holdout General Motors which means that, for now, the strike is paused until membership decides whether or not to ratify the agreements.

This volatile dynamic along their borders resulted in the peculiar situation wherein Arab leaders often raised the question of Palestine because of popular pressure but refrained from actually doing anything about it, out of fear of Israel's might and the disapproval of the great powers. The Palestine issue thus became a political football exploited at will by opportunistic politicians, as each sought to outbid the other in proclaiming their devotion to it. Palestinians witnessing this cynical game eventually realized that if anything was to be done about their cause, they would have to do it themselves.

From The Hundred Years' War on Palestine.

Looking forward to a big succulent nothingburger of a speech.

Palestinian ambassador to UN says Israeli strike on Jabalya refugee camp was a crime

Ambassador Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, said the Israeli strike on the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza was a crime and urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take action.

Mansour made the comments upon leaving a UN meeting on Tuesday, saying the ICC should hold those responsible for the lethal airstrike.

“Those who are responsible for giving the orders for that crime should hear something from Mr. Khan from the ICC,” Mansour told CNN in reference to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan. “If he has the courage, and I hope he does. We appreciate the fact that [he] came to the crossing, Rafah crossing, and he made a statement there. But it would be also nice to issue a warrant of arrest for those who are responsible for such crimes," Mansour said.

When asked whether Egypt should allow the entry of refugees from Gaza, Mansour replied “no.”

Some context: According to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces, the airstrike targeted and killed Ibrahim Biari, whom it described as one of the Hamas commanders responsible for the October 7 attack on Israel, which left than 1,400 people dead and hundreds taken hostage.

https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-10-31-23/h_02a679011417d5e7db852530397b7608

Fire from Israel’s vicinity ‘targeted’ and killed a Reuters reporter in Lebanon, a media watchdog finds.

Issam Abdallah, a visual journalist for Reuters, was “targeted” and killed in southern Lebanon on Oct. 13 by one of two strikes from the direction of the Israeli border, despite clearly being identified as a member of the press, Reporters Without Borders said on Sunday, based on an initial investigation by the media watchdog group.

Six other journalists — from Reuters, Al Jazeera and Agence France-Presse — were also injured in the attack.

According to the organization’s ballistic analysis, the strikes came from the direction of the Israeli border, east of where the journalists were standing. The report concluded that two strikes in the same place in a span of just over 30 seconds, and from the same direction, indicated a targeted attack.

Based on corroborating witness accounts by the journalists who survived, Reporters Without Borders, also known as RSF, said the first strike killed Mr. Abdallah and seriously injured Christina Assi, an Agence France-Presse correspondent; the second, around 37 to 38 seconds later, targeted a nearby Al Jazeera vehicle, injuring several other journalists.

RSF did not conclude who had launched the strikes against the journalists and did not provide the specific ballistics analysis that supported its preliminary findings, but used it, the group said, in combination with eyewitness accounts and video taken at the scene to reach its conclusion.

Both Lebanon’s government and military have accused Israel of firing the strikes.

Responding to the findings, the Israeli army said in a statement that after a cross-border exchange of fire on Oct. 13, it received reports “a number of hours later” that a civilian had been killed. The statement said the army was reviewing the incident, but noted that “being present in combat zones on either side of the border comes with a severe risk to life.” Israel has asked U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon to ensure that civilians are not present in combat zones.

In a statement, Reuters said it was reviewing RSF’s preliminary analysis and that it had called on Israeli authorities to directly investigate the attack.

“We will continue to fight for the rights of all journalists to report the news in the public interest free of harassment or harm, wherever they are,” the Reuters statement said.

Mr. Abdallah, 37, was killed near the Lebanese village of Alma al-Shaab, which has been a focal point of intensifying clashes in recent weeks between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese group backed by Iran.

Footage filmed shortly before the strike, and verified by The New York Times, showed the journalists standing at the roadside wearing helmets and bulletproof jackets marked “press.”

Mr. Abdallah’s death has sparked an uproar in Lebanon as fears mount over the prospect of a wider regional war.

During his funeral on Oct. 14, hundreds of teary-eyed and visibly angry mourners carried his body, draped in a Lebanese flag, in a procession through Khiam, his hometown, in southern Lebanon.

There, cameras were placed atop his grave.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/30/world/israel-hamas-gaza-war-news/fire-from-israels-vicinity-targeted-and-killed-a-reuters-reporter-in-lebanon-a-media-watchdog-finds?smid=url-share

There's video at the link.

Video of Al-Qassam Navy launching a torpedo:

https://streamable.com/wrmqoq

What is it about getting elected that just ruins someone's morals?

It sounds like he genuinely believed what he was saying here, but now he's fully behind Israel.

Like if I got elected, would that somehow happen to me despite me very much not wanting that to happen?

Cooking a pumpkin soup this evening and used some Aleppo peppers and I couldn’t help but think of Gary Johnson’s “Aleppo moment”

UNICEF chief: Lack of clean water in Gaza is on the verge of "becoming a catastrophe"

The chief of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) issued a stark warning regarding water supply in Gaza on Monday, stressing that the situation is on the verge of “becoming a catastrophe.”

Catherine Russell, whose agency provides humanitarian aid to children, outlined to the UN Security Council the devastating impact of heavy bombardment of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

“What little clean water remains in Gaza is quickly running out, leaving more than 2 million people in dire need. We estimate that 55% of the water supply infrastructure requires repair or rehabilitation,” Russell said.

“Only one desalination plant is operating at just 5% capacity, while all six of Gaza’s water-waste treatment plants are now non-operational due to the lack of fuel or power.”

She described the current situation as being on the “verge of becoming a catastrophe,” stressing that more civilians will likely die from dehydration and waterborne illnesses unless clean water supply is restored.

In addition to the difficult environmental conditions, Russell drew attention to the “terrible trauma” being experienced by both children in Israel and Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

“We are doing our best to reach every child in need, but the delivery of humanitarian aid – especially Gaza – is now extremely challenging. This is due to both the current siege conditions imposed on Gaza, and the highly dangerous circumstances under which our staff are operating,” Russell continued.

The official said that without “an urgent end” to hostilities she fears “deeply” for the fate of the region’s children.

“I implore the Security Council to immediately adopt a resolution that reminds parties of their obligations under international law … calls for a ceasefire … demands that parties allow safe and unimpeded humanitarian access … demands the immediate and safe release of all abducted and detained children … and urges parties to afford children the special protection to which they are entitled,” she added.

“Children do not start conflicts, and they are powerless to stop them. They need all of us …to put their safety and security at the forefront of our efforts,” she concluded.

https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-10-30-23/h_b8d088017d4456bef8706ddd2fbc537a

This conflict has gotten me interested in learning more about the early history of Islam & how it expanded to become the dominant religious force in the middle east, but one thing I've inadvertently learned along the way is that Amman, the capitol city of Jordan, used to be named Philadelphia until the 630s AD. The city was originally the capitol city of the Ammonite Kingdom, but was renamed to Philadelphia after the Macedonians conquered the region, and then renamed again to Amman once the Muslims conquered it.

(I guess this is all just to say that I never really realized that Philadelphia was a Greek name and/or that I never realized that there were other cities named Philadelphia before the one in the US lol)

Islamic Resistance in Lebanon targets all Zionist military sites along the Lebanese-Palestinian border with ATGMs and missiles

The speech isn't until tomorrow and already big operations are underway

Reading a document co authored by Antony Blinken and a bunch of other ghouls in 2008 titled "Strategic Leadership: Framework for a 21st Century National Security Strategy" Because let's face it, Blinken is basically the president now, and I'm looking for insights as to how the USA will proceed. Some interesting excerpts about Israel and the Middle East.

Middle East

• Develop a comprehensive, integrated strategy for the entire region.
• Draw down militarily and build up diplomatically in Iraq.
• Pursue a dual-track strategy of deterrence and engagement towards Iran.
• Ensure a high-level and sustained diplomatic role in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.
• Develop mechanisms and structures for regional security cooperation as well as economic modernization and democratic reform.

Reaching a full Arab-Israeli peace — a two-state, security-enhancing agreement between Israel and Palestine; an Israeli-Syrian peace treaty; and Arab League recognition of Israel — is a high and pressing priority. Roles can be usefully played by key neighboring states such as Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia as well as by the EU, UN and Arab League. None of this will suffice, though, without an active U.S. role and full clarity both in the peace process and more broadly on the inviolability of America’s commitment to Israel’s security and survival as a homeland for the Jewish people. Within these parameters, as with other vital allies, any U.S.-Israeli policy differences are to be worked out constructively.

So no US mass troop deployment to Israel, but full support for Zionism, as well as manipulating neighbouring countries. Already seen that in Egypt and Jordan. Security enhancing agreement probably means the attempted elimination or removal of political power from Hamas, for a two state solution involving a subdued Palestinian authority subservient to Israel.

Iran

With regard to Iran, the overall strategy should be along two tracks: maintaining deterrence and containment by reinforcing defense commitments to regional allies and increasing economic pressure, while also actively engaging Tehran in an effort to resolve particular issues and transform relations. The threats that Iran poses should neither be underestimated nor overhyped. Iran must be convinced, and others in the region must be reassured, both of America’s resolve and its capacity to provide leadership in meeting threats — and of a new administration’s genuine commitment to pursue directly, and without precondition, opportunities for mutually beneficial improvements in relations.

Within this overall strategy, remaining concerns about Iranian nuclear proliferation need first to be addressed diplomatically. While no action can be categorically ruled out, the decision to use force must weigh possible damage inflicted on Iranian nuclear facilities against the potential costs incurred and the risks of Iranian retaliation, increased terrorism, global political fallout, and strengthening of the hardliners within the Iranian regime. The United States must also follow the lead of courageous Iranian reformers in devising an effective strategy to encourage democratic progress in Iran. Engagement between the U.S. and Iranian governments can potentially create a more favorable environment for democratic change within Iran, whereas confrontation likely serves to strengthen the opponents of political change.

Seems like the Iranian nuclear deal was extremely important to the US foreign policy, and that regime change is the goal, not outright war now that Iran can't make nukes. As further suggested by this paragraph:

Prospects for diplomatic progress with Iran need to be assessed, not dismissed out of hand. We can be tough negotiators, but still negotiate. Past experience with Pinochet’s Chile, Marcos’s Philippines, and the Soviet Union show that careful and firm diplomacy with autocratic regimes can not only help to change regime behavior but also foster a permissive environment for democratic change.

Disgusting I know, but it's always insightful to see how the ghouls think.

More tunnel guys shooting RPGs at colonial forces

Really does seem like the IOF are mostly hiding in their armored coffins

My turn on the lathe. The speech tomorrow is a strongly worded letter type vibe. Mostly assuring Israel it can continue its current actions without escalation. Then like 3 days later after everyone has sorta forgotten the attacks truly begin.

I've been away for 2 days. Did anything noteworthy happen? Are certain factions still writing angry letters or making threats about doing something?

Israeli military yet to comment on explosion in refugee camp

The Israeli military has not yet commented on the blast at the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has blamed an Israeli air strike for the blast, saying at least 50 people were killed.

Photos filed by by a Reuters photographer at the scene show levelled buildings and bodies being carried out of rubble.

BBC News has contacted the IDF for comment.

- BBC

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Edit

Red Crescent trying to transfer casualties, situations ‘absolutely horrific’

A spokesperson from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society says teams are working on the ground to try and transfer the casualties to hospital following the attack on the Jabalia refugee camp.

“The situation is absolutely horrific,” Nebal Farsakh told Al Jazeera from Ramallah. “We have been witnessing this increasing number of casualties among Palestinian civilians in Gaza due to attacks against residential buildings, homes, streets, as well as places of worship and hospitals.

“Hospitals are already overwhelmed, and they barely can deal with the increasing number of casualties they are dealing with every single hour,” Farsakh said.

“[They] are working on full capacity. This comes at the same time all hospitals are literally collapsing due to shortages [of] medical supplies as well as medicines, and they are running out of fuel, which is urgently needed”.

-Al Jazeera

IDF: We are now carrying out shellings and targeted airstrikes against Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon

Iraq's PMF on maximum alert amid concerns of regional escalation over Israel's war on Gaza

The chief of staff of Iraq's PMF's says the current conditions in the region are alarming for a war as a consequence of Israel's relentless war on Palestine and the Gaza Strip.

Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were set on maximum alert on Thursday, 2 November, as concerns grow that Israel's brutal war on Gaza will expand into a regional conflict.

Deputy commander and PMF chief of staff Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi, also known as Abu Fadak, on Thursday held an urgent security meeting with PMF's top commanders in which he stressed the current conditions in the region are alarming for a war as a consequence of Israel's relentless war on Palestine and Gaza strip.

He also said that they should support the Palestinians and protect the sovereignty of Iraq. He also said the PMF forces went on maximum alert since early Thursday.

https://nitter.net/ME_Observer_/status/1720049308660076765

⚡️Yesterday::Secretary General of the
Islamic Resistance in Iraq, Sheikh Akram
Al-Kaabi:

The Iraqi resistance decided to liberate
Iraq militarily from America and the
matter was settled, and what is coming
is greater

"We are passing through hard and sensitive conditions that the country and the area one hundred per cent depends on our abiding on what we agree on," Abu Fadak told the attendees, according to a video published by PMF's official media.

His statements come just one day after Akram Al-Kaabi, head of the Iran-backed al-Najaba militia, announced that the so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq had decided to liberate Iraq [from the US existence] militarily.

It also comes as the head of Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah is scheduled to speak on Friday afternoon, the first time the leader will appear in public since the beginning of the fighting with Israel on 7 October. He is expected to announce a major escalation with Israel that might also include Iraq.

"The Iraqi Islamic resistance decided to liberate Iraq militarily; this matter has been settled, blessed be the Mujahideen. There will be no stopping, no ceasefire, and no retreat," Al-Kaabi said in a post on the X platform, previously known as Twitter.

Immediately, Ashab Al-Kahaf, another Iraqi militia that had announced multiple drone and missile attacks targeting bases hosting US forces in Iraq, joined Al-Kaabi's call to fight against the US and the coalition forces in Iraq.

On the other hand, an official source within PMF told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab's Arabic sister website, that the directive from Abu Fadak to raise the state of maximum alert and prepare for any emergency "Was due to real American threats to respond to the airstrikes that the US army has been subjected to in Iraq and Syria, in addition to the possibility of Iraqi factions escalating their military operations against the American presence in the coming days."

The source, who requested not to be named, also stated that the PMF forces have been on high alert since Thursday morning in all operation areas, with a particular focus on desert regions, as well as border areas with Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

"Security measures have been taken at some locations, which could be targeted by US forces since they are outside residential areas, as well as other security measures that cannot be disclosed due to their sensitivity and confidentiality," the source added.

Here's a pretty long Twitter thread of Zionist lies/projections paired alongside what the Zionists have actually done: https://nitter.cz/shxmsm/status/1719178733943222399#m

Jerusalem Post - Netanyahu backed down from firing minister who called to nuke Gaza

I don't know much about Israeli internal politics but I know Netanyahu has no support so maybe too beta to get anything done? Or lame duck and can do whatever he wants and what he wants is for ministers to go nuclear? IDK.

Also lol "Benjamin Netanyahu was convinced against firing Eliyahu by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is Eliyahu's faction leader, who claimed in private conversations that firing the heritage minister is "unnecessary and disproportionate."" They think they have a right to say what is necessary and proportionate anymore!