The Full Belmonte, 10/12/2023
Palestinians remove a body from the rubble after an Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Jebaliya refugee camp on Monday. (AP Photo/Ramez Mahmoud)
The Israeli military says it’s preparing for a ground operation in Gaza
“The Israeli military is preparing for a possible ground operation in Gaza but the political leadership has not yet ordered one, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told reporters Thursday, as Palestinians struggled under airstrikes in the enclave on the sixth day of the latest Israel-Hamas war. Read more.
Recent developments:
Palestinians lined up outside bakeries and grocery stores in Gaza on Thursday after spending the night surrounded by ruins of pulverized neighborhoods darkened by a near-total power outage as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to ‘crush and destroy’ Hamas.
Egypt has engaged in intensive talks with Israel and the United States to allow the delivery of food, fuel, aid and electricity through its Rafah crossing point. However, it pushed back against proposals to establish corridors out of Gaza.
The latest conflict, which has claimed at least 2,500 lives on both sides, is expected to escalate.” [AP News]
Israel forms wartime unity government as fighting intensifies
“Israel has formed an emergency unity government to oversee the war against Hamas, as its military ramped up attacks in Gaza, and horrifying new evidence emerged of the atrocities Hamas terrorists committed during their invasion Saturday.
More than 1,200 Israelis, including 165 soldiers, have been killed, a government official said. The death toll in Gaza has risen to 1,100, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The number of Americans killed in the Hamas attack has risen to at least 22, and 17 Americans remain unaccounted for, Biden administration officials said today.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed Americans are among the estimated 150 hostages being held by Hamas, but did not specify how many.
In the last 24 hours, Israeli forces have relentlessly bombarded Gaza, striking 450 targets inside the Hamas-controlled territory, the Israel Defense Forces said. The IDF has called up 360,000 military reservists ahead of a potential ground offensive.
Gaza’s only power plant has run out of fuel and was shut down, after Israel cut off supplies, Gaza's energy ministry said. Hamas continues to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel, claiming to have hit the Ben Gurion Airport today near Tel Aviv.
In northern Israel, the military said it has been trading fire with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, after two missiles were launched at an Israeli military post near the border.” [NBC News]
Growing evidence of atrocities committed by Hamas
“Our Raf Sanchez is traveling today to Israel’s Be’eri kibbutz, the small farming community near the Gaza border, where the bodies of 107 people were found after the Hamas terror attack, according to the Israeli rescue service ZAKA.
Hamas gunmen were seen on video entering Be’eri on motorbikes and marching hostages through the streets. Some of the terrorists were dressed in IDF uniforms, and shot at Israeli troops as they responded, the IDF said today.
Video from the aftermath in Be’eri shows bodies being collected, and a long trail of blood leading into a kibbutz building.
Our team was also allowed inside the kibbutz in Kfar Aza, the site of another massacre three miles from the Gaza border, where one Israeli general said Hamas slaughtered babies, mothers and fathers.
During a call with President Biden Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas terrorists executed children, beheaded Israeli soldiers, and raped woman, according to a readout of the call from Netanyahu’s office.
‘They’re even worse than ISIS and we need to treat them as such,’ Netanyahu said.” [NBC News]
Zelensky eyes Israel trip
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels today for a meeting with the alliance's defense ministers, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Photo: Olivier Matthys/AP
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to visit Israel in a show of support for the country amid the fighting in Gaza, two Ukrainian and Israeli officials told Axios' Barak Ravid.
Why it matters: A visit by Zelensky would boost international support for Israel's counteroffensive against Hamas.
Zelensky's office sent an official request to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office asking to coordinate a visit, the officials said. Talks are still preliminary.
Zelensky said today that in the early days of Russia's invasion, it was critical for Ukraine not to feel isolated. ‘This is why I urge all leaders to visit Israel,’ he said.
Between the lines: Zelensky has publicly supported Israel and equated the Hamas attack to Vladimir Putin's invasion.
Zelensky was among the first leaders to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The big picture: Russia hasn't expressed support for Israel or condemned Hamas since the war began.
Russia has been holding talks with Hamas for years, including hosting official Hamas delegations in Moscow.” [Axios]
What was Hamas thinking? For over three decades, it has had the same brutal idea of victory
“In the three and a half decades since it began as an underground militant group, Hamas has pursued a consistently violent strategy aimed at rolling back Israeli rule — and it has made steady progress despite bringing enormous suffering to both sides of the conflict.” Read More at AP News
Hamas, explained
Khalil Hamra/AP
“So what exactly is Hamas, and what does it want? Nicole Narea and Li Zhou explain the militant organization responsible for attacking Israel over the weekend.
The lowdown: On October 7, Hamas fighters launched a large-scale attack across Israel's southern border with Gaza, killing and capturing Israeli soldiers and civilians. Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by many nations, including the US, has been leading armed resistance against Israel for decades, and also controls one of the two major political parties in Palestine.
Hamas was formed in 1987 as an outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist political group founded in Egypt in the late 1920s.
The name Hamas is an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (in English, Islamic Resistance Movement).
At its core, Hamas wants an independent Palestinian state, one that, according to its 2017 manifesto, would at the very least include the land Palestinians held in 1967. It also wants greater political power, both in Palestine and internationally.
It rose to prominence during the first intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. That uprising formally ended in 1993 with the signing of the Oslo Accords, an agreement that laid the groundwork for the formation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, though that was never realized.
In 2006, the group won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election over the secular Fatah movement, which has generally had better relationships with Western actors. As a result, Hamas rules over the Gaza Strip and Fatah governs the West Bank.
Hamas counts Iran as an ally, sharing an opposition to Israel and the United States’ role in the region.
Though popular with some segments of Palestinian society, it remains highly divisive in Palestine, as some prefer Fatah’s recognition of the state of Israel and disavow Hamas’s tendency for violence. (That said, Hamas has become more popular with younger Palestinians who believe Fatah is out of touch.)
The stakes: While Hamas had somewhat moderated its militancy since it assumed the responsibility of governing Gaza, it’s not clear what the future holds now that it has shown that it is willing to risk provoking a major Israeli military operation to achieve its aim of Palestinian self-determination.” [Vox]
Cities are asking the Supreme Court for more power to clear homeless encampments
Mario Tama/Getty Images
“A decision five years ago transformed homelessness policy — but now the justices could overrule it. A bipartisan coalition of cities and states is pressuring the Supreme Court to intervene on a previous decision that said clearing out homeless people with no other place would be cruel and unusual punishment. Here’s what you need to know:
People without housing can’t be punished for sleeping or camping outside on public property if there are no adequate shelter alternatives available.
The major difference between now and five years ago is the emergence of a ‘concrete, well-funded movement’ to criminalize homelessness.
In the last month, dozens of local governments have filed briefs pleading with the court to reconsider Martin v. Boise, the case that set this precedent. It includes liberal cities like Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Seattle.
If Martin is overturned, it will not only have implications for clearing tents, but likely also for sending homeless people to substance use or psychiatric treatment programs.” [AP News]
Scalise's tricky path to 217
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise speaks to reporters today. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
“House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) won the GOP nomination for speaker of the House this afternoon, Axios' Juliegrace Brufke and Andrew Solender write.
Now he has to solve a tricky math problem: securing 217 votes when the speaker's race goes to the floor.
Why it matters: A handful of GOP lawmakers emerged with plans to back other candidates, jeopardizing Scalise's odds of securing the position.
Scalise defeated House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on a 113-99 vote of Republican representatives.
Zoom in: Jordan threw his support behind Scalise and offered to nominate him during the House speaker vote.
But a group of GOP members — including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) — have publicly indicated they won't back Scalise.
He needs support from 217 of 221 House Republicans if every Democrat votes.” [Axios]
CIA acknowledges 1953 coup it backed in Iran was undemocratic
“The CIA now officially describes the 1953 coup it backed in Iran that overthrew its prime minister and cemented the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as undemocratic. Other American officials have previously made similar remarks, but the CIA's acknowledgment of the agency's involvement comes as much of the coup’s history remains classified 70 years after the putsch. Read more.
Why this matters:
The ‘CIA’s leadership is committed to being as open with the public as possible,’ the agency said in a statement responding to questions from The Associated Press. ‘… we knew that if we wanted to tell this incredible story, it was important to be transparent about the historical context surrounding these events, and CIA’s role in it.’
The revelation further complicates the public's understanding of an event that still resonates, as tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington over the Islamic Republic's rapidly advancing nuclear program, its aiding of militia groups across the Mideast and as it cracks down on dissent.” [AP News]
The UAW expanded its strike to hit the biggest Ford factory in the world.
“Where? The Louisville plant that makes up about one-sixth of Ford’s annual global sales. An additional 8,700 autoworkers walked off the job yesterday.
Why? Ford “refused to make further movement” in contract bargaining, the union said. About 33,700 autoworkers are on strike against the Big Three Detroit automakers.”
Read this story at Washington Post
Someone in California won the $1.73 billion Powerball jackpot.
“Was it you? The winning numbers were 22, 24, 40, 52, 64 and 10. (If so, here’s some advice on how to manage that windfall.) It was the second-largest American lottery jackpot in history.
Didn’t get lucky? Another eye-popping jackpot could come soon. Lottery organizers have lowered the odds of their games to create larger, more tantalizing sums.”
Read this story at Washington Post
Texas ramps up migrant busing
Data: Texas Governor's Office. Map: Deena Zaidi/Axios Visuals
“Texas has bused more than 50,000 migrants from the border to major U.S. cities across the country — and the effort is ramping up, Axios' Stef Kight reports.
Why it matters: The state's busing blitz has accelerated the movement of migrants and asylum seekers north, worsened destination cities' housing crises and prompted Democratic leaders to increase pressure on President Biden to help.
Last week, Biden made major immigration policy announcements, including border wall construction, and resumed deportations to Venezuela.
Texas, the state with the most consistent busing program, has sent more than 1,130 buses north since April 2022, according to statistics Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) office provided to Axios.
Zoom in: Thousands of migrants in Chicago — many of whom have been bused from Texas — await a spot in the city's overcrowded shelters. Last week, as many as 14 buses arrived in a single day, according to city officials.
New York Mayor Eric Adams recently traveled to Latin America to discourage migrants from coming.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to visit the border to talk about the city's forecast for a ‘brutal winter,’ Axios Chicago reports.
By the numbers: New York City has received more migrants from the Texas state-sponsored busing program than any other city, with 18,500+ arriving on 390 buses since August 2022.
Chicago comes in second, with 13,500+ migrants on 290 buses.
D.C. has received 12,500+ migrants.
Denver and Philadelphia have received 3,200+ migrants each from Texas in less than a year.
Texas added L.A. as a destination in June. More than 940 migrants and asylum seekers have been sent there on over 20 buses.
The big picture: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has flown dozens of migrants and asylum seekers to Martha's Vineyard and Sacramento over the past year and a half.” [Axios]
Hunter Biden judge agrees to drop old gun count after indictment replaces scuttled plea deal
“The order from U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika formally removes a gun-possession charge that has now been replaced by an unrelated three-count indictment filed after the agreement imploded in July.” Read More at AP News
‘Squad’ reignites Dems' Israel tensions
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
“House Democrats, who are overwhelmingly pro-Israel, usually tolerate their left-wing "Squad," which is more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. But Squad members' comments this week have sparked a swift internal backlash.
Why it matters: Democrats' long-simmering divisions over Israel are bubbling to the surface in the aftermath of Hamas' attacks on Israeli civilians, Axios' Andrew Solender and Eugene Scott report.
Squad Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) said ‘this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue’ unless the funds are cut off.
Tlaib, a Palestinian American, didn't mention Hamas, and made only a passing reference to the weekend's violence.
Other Squad members were more cautious. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) criticized Hamas' attacks and urged ‘de-escalation’ between the two sides.
The other side: Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) told Axios: ‘No one should blame the victim, no one should explain or excuse the terrorism.’
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said of Bush and Tlaib's comments: ‘It sickens me that ... they believe Congress should strip U.S. funding to our democratic ally and allow innocent civilians to suffer.’
The Squad view even got pushback from the White House. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters of comments by members of Congress calling for a ceasefire: ‘We believe they are wrong, we believe they are repugnant and we believe they are disgraceful.’
‘There are not two sides here,’ Jean-Pierre added.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called on Congress to ‘stand with Israel until the invasion by Hamas has been crushed.’
In an unusual show of unity, all 24 Jewish House Democrats — including some staunch progressives — signed a statement Saturday saying they ‘are united in standing with and supporting our ally Israel.’” [Axios]
Israel aid's add-ons
Data: AP, N.Y. Times, Axios. Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios
“Lawmakers in both parties are looking to Israel aid as a potential vehicle to pass other emergency spending packages — even as some Republicans warn the effort could be a non-starter, Axios' Andrew Solender writes.
Why it matters: Military assistance to Israel is popular in Congress — and now is a top priority.
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), a senior Appropriations Committee member, told Axios that Ukraine and Taiwan aid, as well as border security funding, have all been floated as add-ons to an Israel aid package.
House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told reporters it would be a ‘good package’ if the four were wrapped together.
President Biden said yesterday he will ask Congress to take ‘urgent action’ to supply Israel with ammunition and interceptors for its ‘Iron Dome’ anti-missile system.” [Axios]
Top-performing U.S. schools
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
“The American schools achieving the best results for kids are run by the Pentagon:
Last year, these schools' students outperformed every other American district in reading and math, The New York Times' Sarah Mervosh reports.
Defense Department-run schools operate all across U.S. domestic and foreign military bases and teach 66,000 students — larger than Boston Public Schools, Axios' Erica Pandey writes.
By the numbers: 55% of Defense Department eighth-graders were proficient in reading in 2022, compared with the national average of 29%.
41% were proficient in math, compared with the national average of 26%.
These schools also see narrower achievement gaps between white students and Black and Hispanic students.
What's happening: There are a few big reasons why the Pentagon's schools are so successful, The Times notes.
They're well-funded, with well-stocked classrooms, including books and art supplies. Many public school teachers pay out-of-pocket for supplies.
They're integrated. Unlike Pentagon schools, public schools are often divided along socioeconomic and racial lines with unequal funding.
Their teachers are well-paid. The Pentagon's budget allows schools to spend more money per student and pay teachers more, which helps retain them, The Times reports.
Students' homes are more stable. With at least one parent working for the military, families get access to housing and health care on the base.” [Axios]
ACT test scores fall to lowest levels in 32 years
“The class of 2023 had the worst ACT performance in more than three decades, according to newly released data from the nonprofit that administers the college admissions test.
Why it matters: The scores are the latest indication of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on education, with academic performance and test scores declining at all levels. The 2023 cohort was in its first year of high school when the pandemic began.
By the numbers: The 2023 composite score, an average of the scores for the English, math, reading and science sections, was 19.5 out of 36.
This was the lowest since at least 1991, Allie Ciaramella, a spokesperson for the nonprofit, told Axios on Wednesday.
It sunk slightly lower than the 2022 score of 19.8, which had been a 30-year low, as well.
Driving the news: More than four in 10 seniors don't meet any of the ACT's college readiness benchmarks, the testing organization said on Tuesday. These are the minimum scores for predicted success in college courses.
Average scores have been declining for six consecutive years, ACT CEO Janet Godwin said in a statement.
‘The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career,’ she said.
Zoom out: Test scores across all ages have seen record lows since the pandemic.
Meanwhile, college enrollment has declined for three years in a row.
More colleges and universities have eliminated requirements for standardized tests or made them optional as a response to dwindling enrollment.” [Axios]
Elsa/Getty Images
Moving on
The MLB playoff picture is clearing up, thanks to another shocking sweep and just some good baseball. Quick updates:
“The Dodgers are toast. Arizona completed a Division Series sweep with a 4-2 win over the mighty Dodgers. The Diamondbacks feel like a team of destiny, to be honest, even moreso than the Phillies (more on them in a bit). This team simply cannot lose. A stacked L.A. roster is left bereft in the second straight season of winning 100 or more regular-season games and cratering in the playoffs.
The Twins are out. Houston closed out the plucky AL Central winners in Minnesota last night with a 3-2 win, advancing to the organization’s seventh straight ALCS. Just mind-boggling stuff. The greatness is expected at this point, but they keep finding and developing talent, year after year. Yordan Álvarez hit four home runs and two doubles in the four-game series. Not bad.
The Braves are on the brink. That other team of destiny, the Phillies, the same group that magically made the World Series last year, looks charmed again. They walloped Atlanta at home last night, 10-2, and have another home game tonight at 8 p.m. ET On TBS with a second straight trip to the NLCS on the line. Bryce Harper continues to be a postseason superstar, fueled by a sarcastic "atta boy." The Braves and Dodgers should start a support group if the Phillies lose tonight.
Also last night: The Las Vegas Aces are one win away from a WNBA Finals sweep after a 104-76 blowout win in Game 2. Vegas raced out to a 21-4 lead and never relented. This ‘meeting of super teams’ might be a dud.” [The Athletic]
Wildlife Photographer of the Year awarded
“The Natural History Museum's prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition revealed striking images that detail the profound environments and behaviors of creatures around the world. French underwater photographer and marine biologist Laurent Ballesta was announced as this year’s winner of the grand title award for her image, called ‘The golden horseshoe,’ which captures an ‘otherworldly image of a tri-spine horseshoe crab accompanied by a trio of golden trevallies.’ Read more at USA Today
Marine biologist and photographer Laurent Ballesta, winner of the Portfolio Award, went looking for horseshoe crabs in the protected waters of Pangatalan Island in the Philippines.
Laurent Ballesta / Wildlife Photographer of the Year
”Jada Pinkett Smith revealed she and husband Will Smith have been separated since 2016, in an exclusive interview with the TODAY Show’s Hoda Kotb.” [NBC News]