#038 | The Unfolding Israel-Hamas War and How Israel's "Iron Wall" was Breached
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#038 | The Unfolding Israel-Hamas War and How Israel's "Iron Wall" was Breached
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It’s FRIDAY, October 13! YAY
This week’s stories:
The Unfolding Israel-Hamas War
How did Hamas Breach Israel’s “Iron Wall?”
The GOP's Tumultuous Speaker of the House Race Unfolds
Personal Tragedies Amidst Political Turmoil: Stories from the Israel-Hamas Conflict
Biden's RRM Program: A Billion-Dollar Lifeline for Non-Detained Migrants at Taxpayers’ Expense
Carlee Russell's Cry Wolf: The Tale of a Faked Kidnapping and A Guilty Verdict
The Unfolding Israel-Hamas War
As dawn broke on a tranquil Jewish holiday morning, the serenity was abruptly shattered by a barrage of rockets and a surprise assault by Hamas on Israeli soil. The initial multi-front attack saw Hamas infiltrate Israel’s heavily fortified border, spreading into over 20 locations within Israel and inflicting significant casualties.
Israel Fights Back
Israeli forces retaliated vigorously, launching airstrikes that targeted key Hamas facilities in Gaza. One such airstrike caused a substantial explosion at the Islamic National Bank in Gaza City on October 8, 2023. As the conflict intensified, the streets of southern Israel morphed into battlefields with gun battles raging between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces.
Palestinian Rallies
The international reaction was swift and varied. Pro-Palestinian rallies erupted across the globe, notably in the West Bank and the Middle East, where crowds celebrated the Hamas onslaught. Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for worldwide protests to support the Palestinians, eliciting a response in the form of rallies outside the White House and violent clashes at pro-Palestinian rallies across the U.S.
U.S. InvoU.S.ement: Support and Casualties
The U.S. was dawn into the conflict in more ways than one. The death toll of American citizens rose to at least 27, with 14 more unaccounted for, and there were confirmed reports of Americans among the hostages taken by Hamas into Gaza. In a show of support for Israel, the U.S. ramped up its military presence in the region, dispatching a carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean and moving warships and aircraft closer to Israel.
Biden reassured Israel of an 'unshakable' commitment to its security, promising 'rock-solid and unwavering' support—a sentiment that also translated into military aid.
Lives Lost and Humanitarian Crisis
The cost of the conflict was severe. Israel reported at least 600 citizens killed, while Gaza's Ministry of Health reported 370 fatalities and 2,200 wounded from Israel's retaliatory strikes. The Hamas government in Gaza reported at least 900 Palestinians killed within the first three days, including civilians and children. Israel has enacted a siege on Gaza, cutting off essential supplies, including water, electricity, and fuel. Energy Minister Israel Katz declared that the siege would persist until Hamas releases Israeli hostages. This action exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with hospitals nearing a shutdown due to fuel shortages and over 650,000 people facing severe water scarcity. The dire situation has drawn international concern, with Fabrizio Carboni from the International Red Cross emphasizing the urgency by stating, “Without electricity, hospitals risk turning into morgues”.
Rafah Border: Entry Point Under Siege
The Rafah border crossing, Gaza's sole border passage with Egypt and the only entry point not controlled by Israel, has recently experienced significant hostilities. Israeli forces targeted the Rafah crossing multiple times within a short span, severely disrupting the passage of aid and other essentials into Gaza. On October 10, 2023, Israel's airstrikes hit the area around the Rafah border crossing, halting Egypt's attempts to provide medical aid and food to Gaza through this crossing due to bombed roads on the Gaza side. The situation escalated as Israeli aircraft targeted the Rafah border crossing for the third time in less than 24 hours, causing significant concern and prompting alarm among international observers.
The incessant bombardments have led to the indefinite closure of the Rafah crossing, hampering operations at this critical exit point on Gaza's southern border. The closure of the Rafah border crossing disrupts the flow of humanitarian aid and affects the hundreds of Gazans registered at the Egyptian crossing, looking to leave or enter the Gaza Strip.
Northern Frontier: Hezbollah Encounters
Simultaneously, Israel’s northern frontier has been a theater of military operations. The Israeli Air Force carried out numerous airstrikes in Syria, targeting forces backed by Iran and Hezbollah. Specifically, Israeli helicopters targeted Hezbollah-linked sites near the border, aiming to dismantle the so-called Golan File - Hezbollah’s endeavor to establish a front along the Golan border for launching attacks against Israel. The strikes caused material damage, though no immediate information on casualties was available. This military action is part of Israel’s broader strategy to neutralize threats emanating from Hezbollah and Iranian-backed forces in Syria, which have been a persistent concern for Israeli security.
Hezbollah’s Onslaught: Sky Filled With Rockets
Furthermore, the conflict saw a torrent of Hezbollah rockets raining down on Israel despite Israeli air and ground operations aiming to curb the aggression. This escalatory cycle underpins the complex and multifaceted nature of the hostilities Israel is entangled in, both in the south with Hamas and in the north with Hezbollah and Iranian-backed forces, amidst a broader regional geopolitical chessboard.
Strikes on Syrian Soil
In recent strikes, Israeli forces targeted airports in Damascus and Aleppo, affecting their runways, as part of its ongoing military engagement in the region, reflecting the entangled dynamics of the conflict that extends beyond the immediate Israeli-Hamas confrontation.
Conclusion
The Israel-Hamas conflict of 2023 is a grim reminder of the volatile nature of the region and the ease with which tensions can escalate into full-blown warfare. The international community watches with bated breath as the toll - in lives lost, hostages taken, and geopolitical relations strained - continues to rise.
News of the Week
How did Hamas Breach Israel’s “Iron Wall?”
The Israel-Hamas War is a developing story. This is what is known today about how Israel’s Iron Wall was breached. The culpability of the failure and reasons behind this catastrophic security failure is still not known and will likely not be known for some time.
Israel got duped
Hamas engaged in a clever campaign of deception, leading Israel to believe they were primarily focused on economic matters rather than preparing for combat. This deception allowed Hamas to catch Israel off guard with an unexpected attack, marking the most significant breach of Israel's defenses since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
Hamas projected an image of peace and stability by providing economic incentives to Gaza workers and demonstrating restraint, even when facing criticism. Israel mistakenly perceived this as a genuine shift in priorities, assuming that Hamas prioritized the well-being of Gaza over military aggression. This perception was further solidified when some individuals in the West Bank mocked Hamas for their perceived inaction, and Hamas leaders appeared to concentrate on economic issues.
However, behind the scenes, Hamas carefully planned a large-scale assault on Israel. They openly conducted training exercises, even constructing a mock Israeli settlement in Gaza for practice. Israel observed these activities but dismissed them as non-threatening postures.
The outcome was a highly coordinated attack on Israel.
What is Israel’s “Iron Wall"?”
Israel's "Iron Wall" at the Gaza-Israel border, often referred to as a "Smart Wall," is a sophisticated system of barriers and surveillance technologies aimed at providing security and mitigating threats from the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip has been a significant source of hostility, with various militant groups, most notably the terrorist organization Hamas, using it as a base for launching attacks against Israel. These relentless attacks, including underground tunnels to attack Israeli forces in the 2014 war, necessitated a robust defensive measure, hence the birth of the “Iron Wall.”
In 2021, Israel announced the completion of its “smart fence,” a 40-mile-long barricade along the Gaza Strip. This wall is a multi-layered defense system comprising physical barriers, electronic surveillance, and an underground wall to detect and neutralize tunnel threats. The above-ground portion consists of fences and sophisticated surveillance systems that can identify and track threats in real time. The underground portion is equally impressive, aimed at thwarting the construction and use of attack tunnels from Gaza into Israel. By detecting the sounds of tunneling, the wall becomes a sort of ear to the ground, picking up any subterranean malevolence.
The following is an explanation of how the wall was breached by Hamas, as reported by the Washington Post.
The Israel Defense Forces reported that the fence was breached at 29 locations. Despite Israeli guard towers spaced approximately every 500 feet along the wall in certain areas, the fighters encountered relatively little opposition.
It's worth noting that the border had a minimal security presence since a significant portion of Israel's military was redirected to address unrest in the West Bank due to the Jewish holiday weekend.
The Breach was a Coordinated Attack
Drones dropped explosives: Hamas used commercial drones to bomb Israeli observation towers, communications infrastructure, and weapons systems along the border.
Coordinated rocket fire and manpower: Israel reported that Hamas launched over 5,000 rockets into the country, putting immense pressure on the Iron Dome defense system. Some of these rockets even reached as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Additionally, militants used fan-powered hang gliders to cross the border.
Explosives along the fence: Hamas also employed explosives to destroy parts of the barrier, allowing men on motorbikes to pass through the openings.
Widening the gap: Bulldozers completed the task, creating sufficient space for larger vehicles to pass through.
Conclusion
Israel admitted their mistake. One Israeli security source expressed amazement that events like a rave near the kibbutz of Re'im were permitted so near to Gaza.
Experts have given their opinions on the matter. Retired General Yaakov Amidror emphasized that this attack represented a significant failure in both intelligence and military systems, and he affirmed Israel's commitment to countering Hamas in the future.
The GOP's Tumultuous Speaker of the House Race Unfolds
The competition for the Speaker of the House has intensified after House Republicans nominated Steve Scalise (R-LA), who currently holds the position of House Majority Leader. Scalise secured the nomination in a private vote with a close tally of 113-99 votes, defeating House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH). This outcome is notable because even though former President Donald Trump endorsed Jordan, Scalise emerged as the nominee. The next crucial step in this race is for Scalise to gather the necessary 217 votes on the House floor to replace the previously removed Kevin McCarthy formally.
Scalise's run for the speakership encountered challenges from various Republicans who plan to vote for Jordan, regardless of Scalise's nomination.
Some Republicans openly opposed voting for Scalise. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) chose not to vote for either Republican candidate during the closed-door election. He pointed out that they evaded his question about the legitimacy of the 2020 election.
Moreover, a group of Republicans, including Reps. Bob Good (R-VA), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), among others, have publicly expressed whey they would not vote for Scalise. Their reasons vary from Scalise's health challenges and alleged past association with white supremacists to dissatisfaction with his "establishment" Republican stance.
Ultimatly it became clear that Steve Scalise did not have the votes to reach the required 217, and he annouced his withdrawal as a candidate for Speaker of the House yesterday evening. This new development has led to speculation that Jim Jordan might try again for the position. Needless to say, with the state of the world, many are getting anxious to have a Speaker of the House back in place.
While the candidate and a date for the floor vote remains unknown, the developments in this election reflect the broader tensions within the party. How these tensions are resolved could significantly impact the GOP's leadership and legislative agenda going forward.
Personal Tragedies Amidst Political Turmoil: Stories from the Israel-Hamas Conflict
The recent escalation in violence between Israel and Hamas has left behind tales of personal tragedies that unveil the human cost of the ongoing conflict. In the early hours of a quiet morning, the sudden assault by Hamas disrupted the tranquility of various Israeli communities, leading to an outpour of grief and horror.
Kfar Aza, a tranquil Israeli farming community just 3 km from the Gaza Strip, suffered severe devastation during the assault. The morning calm was shattered by the sounds of gunfire and explosions as Hamas gunmen infiltrated the village. A grim aftermath followed, with the remains of residents and militants scattered and the air tainted with the unmistakable scent of death.
A heart-wrenching scene unfolded on the ground—a baby's crushed crib lay outside a burnt-out home while body bags were lined up on an outdoor basketball court. Israeli Major General Itai Veruv expressed the sentiments of many, saying, "It's not a war, it's not a battlefield. It's a massacre." He was visibly shaken as troops went door-to-door to retrieve the bodies of residents who tragically lost their lives in their homes. The brutality of the situation was unimaginable, with some victims found decapitated, a sight Veruv admitted he had never witnessed in his 40 years of service.
A survivor, Avidor Schwartzman, described the harrowing ordeal, saying, "There were bodies everywhere. Dead bodies everywhere." He recounted the "pure hell" scene he and his family confronted after being rescued by Israeli soldiers.
The impact of these stories reaches far beyond Kfar Aza. In various regions of Israel, the sudden and brutal assault has resulted in profound loss and grief. For instance, in Kfar Aviv, a 69-year-old mother of three named Hannah Ben-Artzi lost her life to a rocket while attempting to open a public shelter for residents without protection.
Inbar Lieberman, a 25-year-old security coordinator at Kibbutz Nir Am, acted swiftly when Hamas attacked her community. As explosions echoed early Saturday, she unlocked the town's armory, armed 12 residents, and organized a defensive strategy. Her tactical choices, such as keeping the electricity off to prevent unauthorized gate access, played a vital role in the defense. The group confronted Hamas gunmen and endured a three-hour battle until Israeli forces arrived. The community celebrated her decisive actions and proved instrumental in preventing casualties among the residents during the assault.
Mor Bayder, a 23-year-old Israeli, encountered a horrifying reality on October 7, 2023, when she discovered through social media that her grandmother, Shani Louk, had been brutally murdered by a Hamas terrorist at Kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border. After committing the heinous act, the terrorist used Shani's phone to post images of the crime on her Facebook profile. This digital dissemination of terror, aimed to instill fear and despondency, brought a profoundly personal tragedy to Mor and her family amidst the broader narrative of conflict.
These personal stories provide a heartfelt glimpse into the profoundly distressing human experiences within the broader political and military conflict between Israel and Hamas. Each narrative signifies a life thrown into chaos, families torn apart, and communities shattered by the violence.
The intensifying conflict remains a matter of global attention and concern. As the death toll climbs and the world confronts the persistent violence in the region, these stories emphasize the personal toll of the conflict. They are a poignant reminder of the lives lost and forever changed amidst the broader geopolitical struggle.
Biden's RRM Program: A Billion-Dollar Lifeline for Non-Detained Migrants at Taxpayers’ Expense
The NYPost has reported that the Biden administration is planning to provide various benefits to the 5.7 million non-detained migrants currently monitored by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under its "Release and Reporting Management" (RRM) program. These benefits include free medical services, food, housing, and more. This number has increased by 2.4 million since Biden took office. The RRM program aims to engage private companies to monitor migrants using methods like ankle monitors and phone apps, and it is expected to replace all existing non-detained programs. The comprehensive services planned under RRM cover legal, medical, educational, and other support areas.
Former ICE director Tom Homan has criticized these plans, calling them a "massive giveaway" and a "welfare" program that will cost "billions." While RRM has not been launched yet, the administration intends to send a "Request for Proposal" to vendors in Fiscal Year 2024 to move forward with the initiative. The previous "Alternatives to Detention" (ATD) program, which tracked only 194,632 migrants using GPS or other technology in fiscal year 2023, will require additional funding to transition to RRM.
These developments come amid a record-breaking influx of migrants in the U.S., with 2.76 million encountering in fiscal year 2022 alone. This has raised concerns, especially after a report revealed that the government lost track of 177,000 migrants post-release.
Carlee Russell's Cry Wolf: The Tale of a Faked Kidnapping and A Guilty Verdict
In a twisted tale of deceit, Carlee Russell, a nursing student from Alabama, took the nation on a roller coaster of emotions as she crafted a kidnapping hoax that ended with a guilty verdict. The incident, which unfolded this summer, saw Russell alleging her abduction, capturing nationwide attention and triggering a manhunt.
As the investigation progressed, the truth unraveled, landing Russell in hot water. On October 11, 2023, a judge handed down a guilty verdict, convicting Russell on two misdemeanor charges related to the kidnapping hoax. The charges specifically were for false reporting, as she was found guilty of filing a false police report and falsely reporting the incident. This verdict came with a financial repercussion, as Russell must now pay more than $18,000 in fines and restitution.
The saga did not end with the verdict; Russell is facing a year in prison for her actions, a sentence aiming to serve as a deterrent to others who might contemplate engaging in similar deceitful actions. The whole episode has left a community in disbelief as they grapple with the reality of the ordeal that stirred fear and anxiety among the populace.