ISREAL-HAMAS CONFLICT: PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITS ISRAEL
President Biden is in Israel on a mission to keep the Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating into a wider war in the Middle East and urge humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire. The president’s visit Wednesday comes after hundreds of people were killed in an explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital the day
Fast Facts
Israel has declared war against Hamas after the terrorist group infiltrated the country on October 7, firing thousands of rockets at residential areas and butchering civilians
At least 4,200 people have been killed in the war on both sides, including at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 31 Americans. Palestinian health authorities say at least 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and more than 10,950 wounded. 12 American citizens are unaccounted for
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to defeat Hamas and “wipe them off the face of the Earth” in a speech during the swearing-in of the national emergency government at the Knesset
The attack was carried out on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah
President Biden is in Israel on a mission to prevent the conflict from escalating into a regional war in the Middle East.
‘Bargaining chips:’ Famed UK special forces unit offers help to find Hamas hostages, report says
Family and friends of those taken hostage by Hamas during their attacks of 7/10, hold a protest outside the Kirya military base on October 18, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Multiple international partners, including the United Kingdom, stand ready to assist Israeli forces to rescue hostages taken by Hamas during its terrorist attack on Oct. 7 and used as “bargaining chips,” according to a report.
“The way that Hamas is holding the hostages looks like they’ve scattered them over the territory of Gaza very widely,” said Justin Crump, a military veteran and chief executive of security and intelligence group Sibylline. He argued that Western nations with strong special forces capabilities should “help to get their citizens back.”
At least 4,200 people have been killed since Hamas launched thousands of missiles into Israel last week, including at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 31 Americans. Palestinian health authorities say at least 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and more than 10,950 wounded.
President Biden visited Israel on Wednesday and addressed reporters, saying that “as the American president, there is no higher priority than the release and safe return of all these hostages.”
“For those who are living in limbo, waiting desperately to learn the fate of a loved one, especially to families of the hostages, you are not alone. We’re working with partners throughout the region, pursuing every avenue to bring home those who are being held captive by Hamas,” he said, adding that he “can’t speak publicly” about the details of any such plans.
Hamas took around 199 Israelis hostages. Various other nations have confirmed a number of its citizens either missing or taken hostage during the attack, with 13 Americans unaccounted for and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly confirming that his government believes up to 10 British nationals are held hostage in the Gaza Strip.
‘Bargaining chips:’ Famed UK special forces unit offers help to find Hamas hostages, report says
American, British and Israeli special forces have reportedly shared information and gathered intelligence in order to locate the roughly 199 hostages taken by Hamas.
Protesters on Capitol Hill demand Gaza ceasefire
Dozens of protesters took to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
Dozens of protesters took to the streets near the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to call for ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip worsens.
Footage from inside the Cannon Office Building shows a large group chanting “Ceasefire Now” and calling for Congress to demand the fighting stop in Israel.
The group Jewish Voice for Peace said some demonstrators had been arrested inside the U.S. Capitol building.
“We’re all here to demand an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people, aided and abetted by the U.S. government,” the group wrote on X, formally Twitter.
In a subsequent post, the group said it refuses to standby “as the Israeli government commits genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”
The House Sergeant at Arms said it was restricting access because of the demonstration.
“Due to First Amendment activities on Capitol Grounds, all pedestrian entry points to the House Office Buildings are restricted to Members and Staff ONLY,” a message from the House Sergeant at Arms
DeSantis rips Biden $100 million ‘gift’ to Hamas
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a video message criticizing President Biden over a $100 million pledge for humanitarian assistance for the West Bank and Gaza Strip. (Gov. Rob DeSantis)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized President Biden over his announcement Wednesday to give a $100 million “gift” to Hamas.
During his trip to Israel, Biden pledged the funds for humanitarian assistance in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
DeSantis said the money will likely not make it to the people who need it most in Gaza.
“We know Hamas is going to commandeer that money and Hamas is going to use it to advance terrorism,” he said in a video message. “I say no U.S. tax dollars to the Gaza Strip.”
DeSantis noted Hamas is still holding American hostages in Gaza and urged his fellow Republicans vying for the party’s presidential nomination to stand with him.
“This money will support more than 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians, including emergency needs in Gaza,” he said.
Biden said the money will “support more than 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians, including emergency needs” in Gaza, saying they are in dire need of food, water, shelter and medical care.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul flew to Israel Wednesday to speak with leaders and Israelis amid the country’s escalating war with Hamas.
Hochul met with Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, in Tel Aviv and spoke with victims and the families of hostages “who experienced hell on earth in the community of Kfar Aza when Hamas attacked.”
“Our hearts break for them,” she wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. “We pray for the safe return of those who have been taken hostage and will continue to do whatever we can to support them.”
Upon touching her arrival, Hochul said New York and Israel share a special bond and that “and I’m proud to be here to show our solidarity with the Israeli people.”
President Biden also visited Israel on Wednesday where he spoke with Israeli leaders about the ongoing conflict.
Scottish leader says country ready to offer ‘safety and sanctuary’ to people of Gaza
Scotland’s First Minister and SNP leader Humza Yousaf called for the United Kingdom to help the people of Gaza on Wednesday. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Humza Yousaf, the First Minister of Scotland, on Wednesday called for the nation to offer “safety and sanctuary” to the people of the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to elected leaders, Yousaf called for the international community to create a global refugee program to assist Gazans.
He specifically called on the United Kingdom to create a refugee resettlement program for Gazans who want to leave.
“Scotland is willing to be the first country in the UK to offer safety and sanctuary to those who are caught up in these terrible attacks,” he said.
Yousaf also urged for the medical evacuation of injured civilians in Gaza. He said Scotland was “ready to play her part” to help treat the injured.
He noted that his brother-in-law is a doctor in Gaza.
“He tells us of scenes of absolute carnage, hospitals running out of medical supplies, doctors, nurses having to make the most difficult decision of all – who to treat and who to let die,” he said. “That can’t be allowed. Not in this day and age.”
Hostage families slam Israel’s decision to permit aid to Gaza
The families of hostages held captive by Hamas on Wednesday slammed the Israeli government’s decision to permit limited humanitarian aid into Gaza.
A statement released by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said the aid would comfort “murderers and kidnappers” while the hostages suffer.
“Children, infants, women, soldiers, men, and elderly, some with serious illnesses, wounded and shot, are held underground like animals and without human conditions, and the Israeli government pampers the murderers and kidnappers with baklavas and medicines,” the statement read.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said earlier Israel will allow Egypt to deliver limited quantities of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Israel “will not thwart” deliveries of food, water and medicine, as long as the supplies to not reach Hamas, Israeli officials said.
It was not clear when the aid would start flowing. Egypt’s Rafah crossing has only a limited capacity, and Egypt says it has been damaged by Israeli airstrikes.
The Associated Press contributed to this update
SOURCE: FOX NEWS
