So much of this conflict just doesn't make sense. How did the Mossad, who can see into the Iranian underground nuclear facilities not see this coming? The CIA also has a big installation inside the area attacked and saw nothing. The U.S. had quite a number of ships that had just had maintenance finished and were ready to go to the Middle East. Now the U.S. looks like Russia did just before they invaded Ukraine. We have set up a big logistics train like we had before the Iraqi-Afghan War, but are not send tanks yet, just lighter armored vehicles. It all smells fishy. I agree that the IDF has dropped the ball media-wise, but perhaps it was intended to be so. I just don't understand exactly what is happening, but I feel we are being played. I have heard Netanyahu referred to as the "The Real Leader of the Free World" and the U.S. is his lap dog.
Well, yes and no. I fully expected the BBC and Al Jazeera to slant the news, and SOME of the other international news as well, but I didn't expect so much anti-Israel broadcasts from ABC, CBS and NBC. The main focus is mainly on the plight of the Palestinians and alleged war crimes committed by Israel. The only newscasts that do not slant the news against Israel are Fox and India News. The American newscasters (except Fox) are reporting stories laced with "The IDF is CLAIMING that...." This slyly suggests that the IDF is lying.
1st video of concrete proof of Hamas tunnel INSIDE Al-Shifa Hospital. The video pans around to show hospital buildings. The robot descends 10 meters down a spiral staircase and proceeds 55 meters down the tunnel. We can clearly see that the tunnel is designed for people to walk thru the tunnel. It has a concrete domed ceiling and straight concrete sides. At about the 55 meter mark the robot encounter a blast door with a firing port in its center. I expect that the IDF will soon get that blast door open and then we will see what lies beyond. This is absolute proof that Al-Shifa has always had terrorist tunnels running beneath it. Hamas has always claimed that they never had tunnels under Al-Shifa hospital. It should come as no surprise that Hamas flat out lies.
Now the Houthis have seized an Israeli-owned ship in the Red Sea, so we are now adding piracy to the mix. Now perhaps there will convoys of ships (escorted) into/out of the Suez Canal. Another kink in the supply chain.
Don , As you know, that area has long been known as a pirate area. But I thought that western nations had warships there to deal with Somalian pirates. Now that an Israeli ship has been captured, I imagine that there will be more hostages to rescue.
In central Gaza City, the IDF has taken control of a mosque and discovered a major underground tunnel system and weapons mfg facility under that mosque. Inside were hundreds of rockets and tons of material to mfg more. Truly astounding how much war material Hamas has amassed.
Well, it looks like Hamas and Israel have agreed to a temporary ceasefire to exchange 50 female and children hostages, for 150 female and teenagers prisoners being held in Israeli jails. This was originally scheduled to start at 10 am Thursday (local time) but it has been pushed back to Friday. PM Benjamin Natanyahu said the the IDF will resume combat operations when the 4 day ceasefire is over. He has NOT backed off from the goal of wiping out all of Hamas. However, I don't think that will be possible because Hamas will use the ceasefire to escape. They will likely just blend in with the one million plus civilians. After the IDF has taken total control of all of Gaza, they will attempt to destroy all of the underground tunnels. Once that happens it will be extremely difficult for Hamas to function as a fighting force.
Netanyahu did say a couple weeks ago that when Hamas is finally defeated, Israel will allow and even help the Palestinians to regain Gaza but will never relinquish control over the area again. I guess in other words, no more tunneling, no more arms caches and totally policed by Israel.
The Palestinians started the war, and Israel has every right to finish it, but the United States shouldn't be obliged to pay the bill.
Bobby, you could be right about Israel controlling Gaza after the war. However, international pressure may force some other measures. Biden, and the U.N. have both said that Israel should NOT occupy Gaza after the war. It's a darn tough dilemma. Israel will need to keep Oct 7th from happening again and that means no more tunneling. BUT, how to keep that from happening and yet NOT occupy Gaza ? The Palestinians COULD keep keep terrorists out if they truly wanted to live in peace. I'm afraid, however, that they will reject peace and will keep killing Jews .
There are still a number of countries which owe the U.S. money from WWII. What makes the powers that be think that Israel and Ukraine will treat us differently?
Hopefully, Joe, his handlers and his other miscreant cronies will be out of office when the dust settles. Now, so far as the terrorists go, I am told that it was the Palestinians who voted Hamas into power but I have a funny feeling that it was a rigged vote do to the fact that Hamas has retained power for so many years. So, with that in mind, if the Palestinian people have learned a hard lesson, they might just be able to establish a reasonably safe environment for themselves and a better type of government without the likes of Hamas.
Yes, that would be great IF the Palestinians learn a lesson. The U.S. and U.K. taught the Taliban/Isis/Al Qaeda a lesson and we have heard next to nothing from them ever since. Maybe, the Palestinians will learn not to attack Israel again. However, I don't think that the "lone wolf" suicide attacks will ever end.
The fall of the Monarchy in Iran in 1979 and the takeover by theocratic Muslim extremists led by Ayatollah Khomeini launched the breakaway from Western affiliations and produced a vow to exterminate not only Israel but the U.S. as well. Hamas, to me, is only a faction produced and financed by Iran’s leadership so until Iran itself is broken, there will be no absolute peace even if and when Hamas is totally defeated. Another faction will spring up and try to convince the Palestinians that their way of government and nip at the heels of Israel until all hell breaks loose again.