"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." More bible nonsense, try that at work or real life and see how long you last. That's the fantastic thing about the black and white book, every fairy tale sounds beautiful. "Have faith, it will come to pass". Yeah more nonsense.
Hamas attack ends relations between Netanyahu and Putin – WSJ Roman Petrenko — Sunday, 15 October 2023 PHOTO: TASS Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, managed to maintain "warm communication" with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, but now this has ended, writes The Wall Street Journal. Source: WSJ Details: Journalists remind that Netanyahu stood with Putin even when the latter was increasingly isolated. Even Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the warming of its relations with Israel's sworn rival, Iran, have failed to undermine this cooperation. It is noted that the leaders kept in touch by phone, and Netanyahu announced a non-aligned approach to the war in Ukraine, refusing to provide Kyiv with lethal assistance or air defence systems despite Western pressure. Quote: "Now, after the deadly attack by Iranian-backed Hamas militants on Israel, these conversations seem to have stopped. Putin is one of the few world leaders who did not call Netanyahu to express his condolences over the deaths of more than 1,300 Israelis killed by Hamas in this attack."
While many pundits expect the IDF to quickly start their ground offensive in Gaza; the reality IMO may be that it will be numerous days before it fully starts. It will take Israel some time to organize its plans, logistics, material, and troops to kick off the ground offensive. While they warned residents of Gaza to leave the north and go south -- giving them 24 hours and pushing a sense of urgency -- in some ways this may be a deliberate ploy to get civilian residents out of the way sooner rather than later. It also allows Israel to intensify their air and artillery attacks aimed at Hamas in northern Gaza while hopefully reducing any civilians in the way. Israel is continuing pin-prick localized commando raids aimed at getting back hostages, killing Hamas leaders and gathering intelligence. The air & artillery raids are focused on taking out rocket launching sites (which normally are in civilian buildings), killing Hamas leaders & members, reducing Hamas command & control sites, and eliminating obstacles to a ground assault. I expect the ground assault to be slow and methodical -- taking many weeks even to seize north Gaza. It will be a difficult and bloody assault despite the IDF's technology advances due to the Hamas tunnel system and other defenses in Gaza. I don't see anyone "pushing a button" and this escalating into nuclear war.
The hostage count today is up to 199 known hostages according to Israel. Yesterday Israel was rolling out the informing of families so the total kept increasing as the day went on. Other recent news over the past 12 hours include: The Rafah crossing into Egypt was expected to be open today at 9am local time to allow citizens of other countries trapped in Gaza to leave the area. It is not clear if this happened. There is a desalination plant in Gaza which started full operation in June of 2023. It can provide water to 250,000 people and has local backup fuel & facilities to provide water for at least 30 days. It has not been bombed or hit by Israel. However it is out of operation probably due to lack of electricity. It is believe the backup fuel was likely stolen in corruption. According to ABC News last night, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank wants no part in administering Gaza (post Israel military action).
Boy Soldiers: Hamas resorts to 'training children to defend Gaza' as thousands of Israeli troops mass at the border and prepare for brutal assault https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...n-defend-Gaza-Israeli-troops-mass-border.html
So what? Here, the hopeless and depressed push the needle into their arms often already at age 13 or 14 or have unwanted pregnancies. At least those boys there learn valuable skills.
Russia played both Israel and Hamas: Here’s why Putin has picked the side of the terrorists Putin's posturing over the war is meant to show him as an honest broker between the warring sides, something he isn't https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/russia-played-israel-hamas-heres-why-putin-picked-side-terrorists
Fox news opinion inserted into a serious matter. Putin playing both sides, shocker. One has to wonder if GWB spends his days in the Fox comment section as well.