The Full Belmonte, 10/13/2023
Palestinian children wounded in Israeli strikes are brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ali Mahmoud)
Hamas calls on Palestinians to stay home after Israel orders 1.1 million civilians to evacuate Gaza
“Israel’s military delivered a sweeping evacuation order for almost half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people on Friday ahead of an anticipated ground offensive aiming to eradicate the Hamas militant group, U.N. officials said. The order sent panic through civilians and aid workers already struggling under Israeli airstrikes and a blockade. Read more.
Recent developments:
Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, dismissed the order and called on Palestinians to ‘remain steadfast in your homes and to stand firm’ in a statement calling the evacuation directive part of a ‘disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation.’
Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza City, said more than 1 million people could not be safely moved that fast. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, ‘The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences.’
The directive was seen as a precursor to an expected Israeli ground offensive, though the Israeli military has not yet confirmed any plans. A ground offensive in Gaza would likely increase casualties on both sides in a war that already has killed more than 2,800 people, including 13 hostages Hamas claimed on Friday were killed by Israeli bombardments. There was no immediate Israeli comment.” [AP News]
Hamas militants who flooded into southern Israel from Gaza on Saturday carried detailed maps of the towns and military bases that they targeted.
Outside the kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the Israeli communities that suffered casualties and hostages in the multifront attack on Saturday.
PHOTO: HASSAN ESLAIAH/ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Some carried tactical guides identifying weak spots on Israeli army armored vehicles. Israeli civilians, soldiers and emergency personnel recovered the documents, seen by WSJ, from the attack sites or bodies of dead Hamas fighters. The detailed information, written in Arabic, indicates that Hamas had planned to attack civilian population centers and take hostages, not just target military installations. The documents also show the scale of Hamas’s intelligence-gathering and planning. More than 1,300 Israelis were killed in the assault. As much of the country’s military gathers in the south for a major ground offensive in Gaza, fears of a second front at the northern border are growing. A conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon would stretch Israel’s army and air defenses, military experts say.” [Wall Street Journal]
Blinken pledges U.S. support as Israel preps potential ground offensive
“Lester Holt has a one-on-one interview this evening with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who pledged unwavering U.S. support for Israel today as its forces bombarded Gaza and prepared for a potential ground offensive, in retaliation for the terror attacks carried out by Hamas.
‘We will always be there by your side,’ Blinken told Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as they delivered joint remarks at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv.
As Blinken and Netanyahu met, Israeli tanks were massing at the border with Gaza. The military has also called up 360,000 reservists from around the world, ahead of the possible ground assault.
An Israeli military spokesman told reporters today that forces ‘are preparing for a ground maneuver if decided,’ but that political leaders have not yet ordered one.” [NBC News]
At least 1,300 killed in Israel, more than 1,400 dead in Gaza, officials say
“The death toll in Israel from the Hamas raids and rocket attacks has now climbed to at least 1,300, with 3,300 injured, according to Israeli officials. Our team has been inside kibbutz communities where Israeli officials say Hamas terrorists slaughtered men, women and children.
Netanyahu’s office today released horrifying images appearing to show babies that were ‘murdered and burned’ by Hamas terrorists.
The White House said today 27 Americans were killed in the Hamas attack, and 14 are still unaccounted for. An unknown number of Americans are believed to be among the estimated 100 to 150 people being held hostage by Hamas, officials have said.
In Gaza, more than 1,400 people have been killed, and more than 6,000 injured, in Israel’s retaliatory strikes, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
New drone images show the scope of the destruction in Gaza, home to 2.2 million Palestinians, after days of air strikes.
Israeli officials have vowed the strikes will continue, and that no humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza, until Hamas releases all the hostages it has taken.” [NBC News]
U.S. moves to block $6 billion in Iran funds in wake of Hamas attack
“The U.S. and Qatar have agreed to block Iran from accessing any of the $6 billion it was set to receive as part of a prisoner swap deal with the Biden administration, a top Treasury Department official told House Democrats today, according to three sources familiar with his remarks.
The Biden administration has been under bipartisan pressure to block the funds as the U.S. investigates whether Iran had any role in the terrorist attack on Israel.
In Holt’s interview with Blinken airing tonight, the secretary said the U.S. does not have direct evidence that Iran was involved in the attack, but added ‘that could change.’
Under the terms of the deal, Iran would only be allowed to use the money for humanitarian purposes, but in an interview last month with Lester Holt, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the money would be spent ‘wherever we need it.’” [NBC News]
Trump criticizes Netanyahu, praises Iran-backed Hezbollah
“Days after the surprise attack on Israel, former President Donald Trump criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu, while praising the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, during a speech in Florida.
Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner, said Netanyahu ‘let us down’ when Israel backed out of the 2020 mission to kill Gen. Qassem Soleimani at the last minute, after helping to plan it.
‘I’ll never forget that Bibi Netanyahu let us down. That was a very terrible thing,’ Trump told the crowd in West Palm Beach. The U.S. went ahead with the mission and killed Soleimani with a drone strike in Iraq. ‘And then Bibi tried to take credit for it,’ Trump said.
Trump criticized Israel’s intelligence service for the failures leading up to Saturday’s Hamas attack, saying they need to ‘straighten it out.’
The former president also said the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, which has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces over the Lebanon border since the Hamas attack, is ‘very smart.’
Both the White House and Trump’s 2024 Republican rivals have condemned his remarks. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called Trump’s praise for Hezbollah ‘absurd,’ while a White House spokesman called his comments ‘dangerous and unhinged.’” [NBC News]
Steve Scalise drops out of House speaker race
“House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) announced Thursday he's abandoning his campaign for House speaker after a persistent group of GOP holdouts refused to budge.
Why it matters: It leaves Republicans without a GOP nominee for the job nine days after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted – to the growing frustration of GOP lawmakers.
‘I was very clear we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs this country is counting on us,’ Scalise told reporters on Thursday.
‘But there's some folks that really need to look in the mirror over the next couple of days and decide are we going to get it back on track, or they're going to try to pursue their own agenda,’ he said.
Scalise said he will remain in his role as House majority leader.
Zoom in: Scalise won the nomination on Wednesday by a 113-99 margin, but on Thursday it became clear he wasn't making the progress needed to risk a vote on the House floor.
The House GOP is in a tight spot, with any combination of five Republicans being enough to sink a speaker bid — at least without help from Democrats.
What's next: House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) narrowly lost the nomination to Scalise, and could now contest the nomination again.” [Axios]
Senator Bob Menendez charged with acting as foreign agent
“Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine are facing new charges, accusing them of conspiring to have him act as a foreign agent for Egypt.
The superseding indictment alleges that Menendez, the New Jersey Democrat, ‘provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt.’
Prosecutors also said that Nadine Menendez and another co-defendant ‘worked to introduce Egyptian intelligence and military officials to Menendez for the purpose of establishing and solidifying a corrupt agreement.’
The couple were previously indicted last month on corruption charges, and accused of accepting gold bars, cash, mortgage payments, and a luxury car as bribes. They pleaded not guilty.” [NBC News]
Tornadoes tear across Florida, cross-country storm on the move
“Multiple reported tornadoes struck Florida overnight, leaving damage on both the east and west coasts of the state, officials said.
In the Tampa area, it appears tornadoes struck both Crystal River and Clearwater. Video posted on Facebook appears to show one of the tornadoes coming ashore in Pinellas County.
Images show the tornadoes caused significant damage to homes, covered roads in debris, flipped over a box truck, and shattered storefront windows.
In Clearwater Beach, a wall collapsed on a woman as she was sleeping. She told our Tampa affiliate she was not injured.
On Florida’s Atlantic coast, another possible tornado struck in Palm Coast, causing ‘catastrophic property loss,’ officials said.
We’re also tracking a coast-to-coast storm bringing mountain snow, heavy rain, and flooding across a 1,500-mile swath of the country. It’s expected to bring another weekend washout for the Northeast.” [NBC News]
An Oklahoma man used pandemic relief funds to have his name cleared of murder
“An Oklahoma man who was freed after being imprisoned for decades on a murder conviction said there are more cases like his. Ricky Dority used pandemic relief money to hire a private investigator, who worked with students from Oklahoma City University’s Innocence Project to free him. Read more.
Why this matters:
Dority is one of nearly 3,400 people who have been exonerated nationwide since 1989, mostly after murder convictions, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. In Oklahoma, there have been more than 43 exonerations in that time, not counting another three this year.
The exonerations underscore problems within the judicial system including overworked defense attorneys, shoddy forensic work, overzealous prosecutors and outdated investigative techniques.” [AP News]
Covid-19 vaccines
“More than 7 million Americans have received a dose of the updated Covid-19 vaccine since it became available in September, the Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday. The CDC recommended vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech for everyone 6 months and older on September 12. An updated vaccine from Novavax, which became available this month, is recommended for people 12 and over. In comparison, when last year's bivalent Covid-19 booster was available, more than 18 million people had received a dose by October 12, 2022, about six weeks after the CDC signed off on it. The new Covid-19 vaccines have been updated to target currently circulating coronavirus variants.” [CNN]
Medicare
“Medicare enrollees will spend around $10 more next year for their monthly Part B premiums, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $174.70 for 2024, up from $164.90 this year. The premium increase means that retirees will see a monthly bump of less than $50, on average, in their Social Security benefits next year. This comes as many seniors are concerned about their personal finances, analysts say. Inflation has caused Social Security payments to lose 36% of their buying power since 2000, according to a study released earlier this year by The Senior Citizens League. Monthly benefits would have to increase by $517 to maintain the same level of buying power as in 2000.” [CNN]
People are struggling to leave Israel as most major airlines pause flights.
“Some Israelis, tourists and foreign workers are so desperate that they are resorting to renting private jets. The U.S. said today that it will charter flights from Israel to Europe, beginning tomorrow, to help evacuate Americans who don’t have commercial airline tickets. Meanwhile, international pressure is building on Egypt to open its border to a potential exodus of two million Gazans. Israel has warned people to leave and has cut off food, fuel and water in Gaza. Hamas has said that it is reluctant to allow an evacuation because it could mean permanent exile for those Palestinians. According to U.S. and Arab officials, discussions between the U.S. and Egypt have focused solely around securing safe passage for the 500 to 600 Americans in Gaza.” [Wall Street Journal]
The morgue at Gaza’s biggest hospital is overflowing as Israeli attacks intensify
“The morgue at Gaza’s biggest hospital is overflowing as bodies are coming in faster than relatives can claim them. Israel’s heavy aerial bombardment on the territory of 2.3 million people comes nearly a week after an unprecedented Hamas attack.” Read More at AP News
Show of Solidarity
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a statement to the media in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 12.Jacquelyn Martin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
“U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reiterate Washington’s unyielding support for Israel’s fight against Hamas. ‘You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself, but as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to,’ Blinken said during a press conference with Netanyahu.
Another key goal of Blinken’s trip is to try to secure the release of hostages captured by Hamas during its assault. As many as 150 hostages are being held by the Islamist militant group, including an unknown number of Americans. The U.S. deputy special envoy for hostage affairs as well as other U.S. officials accompanied Blinken on his trip.
The group will also be visiting Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia in the coming days, where Blinken said they ‘will continue pressing countries to help prevent the conflict from spreading and to use their leverage on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release the hostages.’
In Jordan, Blinken will meet with King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The three leaders are expected to discuss humanitarian relief for the Gaza Strip and stopping Hamas’s attacks. Abbas condemned the violence on both sides on Thursday, calling the killing of civilians a violation of ‘morals, religion, and international law.’
On Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel to Israel to continue Blinken’s work. The United States also announced that it would send a nearly $2 billion aid package—complete with ammunition, interceptors, and other defense technology—to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome. According to top Biden administration officials, the White House is also planning to submit a supplemental funding request that would include more aid to Israel as well as assistance to Ukraine, Taiwan, and U.S. border security forces.” [Foreign Policy]
“Anchor down. Seoul welcomed the arrival of a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier on Thursday, when the USS Ronald Reagan and its battle group docked at South Korea’s southern port of Busan. The aircraft carrier had recently finished South Korean-U.S.-Japanese trilateral military exercises in international waters.
This is the first such U.S. vessel to arrive in South Korea since late March. It will remain in Busan until Monday as part of a bilateral agreement to enhance ‘regular visibility’ of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in an effort to deter North Korean aggression in the region.” [Foreign Policy]
“Border talks. Top Indian and Chinese military officials met this week to discuss clashes and other issues along their shared, contested Himalayan border, government spokespersons announced on Thursday. The two-day talks were the 20th round of dialogue between the two nations and one of the first to create diplomatic channels to advocate for peace in the region.
At least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops were killed in border clashes in June 2020, the deadliest incident in 45 years. In the years since, bilateral ties have soured, with India reducing visas for Chinese citizens and China refusing to post an ambassador to New Delhi. This week’s dialogue could rekindle relations, especially after Chinese President Xi Jinping snubbed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by not attending the India-hosted G-20 summit this year.” [Foreign Policy]
“Shifting away from Kyiv. Former Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to form a new government after reaching a coalition deal with center-left and nationalist parties on Wednesday. Fico’s left-wing Smer party won parliamentary elections on Sept. 30. With Fico at the helm, Slovakia is expected to ally closer with Hungary and curb military aid to Ukraine.
Slovakia is not the only nation potentially pivoting from Ukraine. Poland’s conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party is expected to win parliamentary elections this Sunday, polling 7 percentage points ahead of the opposition Civic Coalition. If Warsaw’s far-right, anti-establishment PiS wins, there will be little pro-Ukrainian lawmakers can do to support Kyiv, journalist Mateusz Mazzini argued in Foreign Policy.” [Foreign Policy]
“Food has long been a political issue, hunger a revolutionary force.
In India, the cost of onions has undermined governments over the decades. Soaring prices of bread and other staples helped spur the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East, a region now in turmoil with Israel likely preparing a ground war in Gaza as it responds to an attack by Hamas.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine upended supply chains as the world found out the country was one of its biggest exporters of everything from grain to sunflower oil. That stoked spiraling global food inflation, adding to strains in countries across Africa particularly.
Call it the politics of the dinner table, which is now also playing out in a series of key elections around the world.
In New Zealand, which goes to the polls tomorrow, farmers have protested against plans to tax greenhouse gas emissions from cows, prompting the government to delay the policy.
Poland votes the next day amid a feud with Ukraine. The nationalist Law and Justice party is seeking a third straight term and has tried to shore up its core agricultural vote by extending a ban on grain imports from the country’s war-torn neighbor.
The cost of farming is also playing out in campaigns in Argentina and the Netherlands, both due to hold elections in coming weeks.
Yet it’s Egypt that suddenly looks more vulnerable. The country is one of the world’s biggest wheat importers, a dependence that’s keeping inflation high during its worst economic crisis in years. That’s a challenge for President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi as he seeks another term in December.
All world leaders know food security is fundamental to their political survival. Amid growing global upheaval, though, many are finding it much harder to guarantee.” — Rodney Jefferson [Bloomberg]
A customer pays for bread in Cairo. Photographer: Roger Anis/Getty Images
“The Israel-Hamas war has the potential to disrupt the world economy and even tip it into recession if more countries are drawn in. Bloomberg Economics examined the likely impact on global growth and inflation under three scenarios — ranging from a conflict limited to Gaza to a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran.” [Bloomberg]
“Australian voters are poised to reject a proposal tomorrow to establish an Indigenous advisory body to Parliament at a national referendum, showing the challenge the country faces in reconciling with its First Peoples. It also drains some of the political capital Prime Minister Anthony Albanese built up after he returned the Labor party to power in May 2022 following nine years in opposition.” [Bloomberg]
“Poland’s general election on Sunday will determine the fate of its eight-year populist drift away from the European Union mainstream.” [Bloomberg]
“Serbia is ready to return to EU-brokered negotiations with Kosovo and is urging the Serb minority in the Balkan neighbor to take part in local elections to help defuse tensions after a recent gun battle.” [Bloomberg]
“New Zealanders are voting with concerns about the soaring cost of living dominating the campaign and polls showing the main opposition National Party likely the best placed to form a center-right government.” [Bloomberg]
Chris Hipkins faces an uphill struggle to win enough votes to stay in power. Credit: Reuters
“Church investigation: The Japanese government has asked a court to order the dissolution of the Unification Church. The "Moonies" church, founded in South Korea, was under the spotlight after the assassination of PM Shinzo Abe by someone who accused him of promoting the religious movement.” [BBC]
“Libel trial: A journalist has been handed a suspended fine of 1,000 euros (£864, $1,054) for insulting the Italy's far-right PM Giorgia Meloni. Roberto Saviano had used a swear word to describe Ms Meloni in a 2020 interview, while attacking her suggestion that boats carrying rescued migrants ought to be sunk.” [BBC]
“The British royal family may be posh on the outside, but their text messages are anything but. In a BBC Radio 1 interview on Tuesday, Prince William revealed that his No. 1 used emoji is not the crown but rather the eggplant—or ‘aubergine’ as Brits call it. The emoji is frequently used to represent male genitalia, but we’d prefer to think the prince is just a big fan of vegetables.” [Foreign Policy]
Recycling is about to get easier
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
“QR codes with hyperlocal recycling instructions will soon show up on your milk cartons, ice cream tubs and more.
You'll be able to scan an item, type in your ZIP Code and see if it's eligible to go in the blue bin, Jennifer A. Kingson writes for Axios What's Next.
Why it matters: 60% of consumers are confused about what and how to recycle, according to The Recycling Partnership, a national nonprofit.
Recycle Check, a new program run by the partnership, is signing up brands to add local recycling info to their packaging via QR codes.
Two early adopters are General Mills (maker of Yoplait, Pillsbury, Chex, Betty Crocker) and Horizon Organics, which makes dairy products.” [Axios]
Products from those companies with local recycling details will soon be on shelves.
"There's about 9,000 different recycling districts across the U.S., and we have them all in a database," says Sarah Dearman, chief innovation officer for The Recycling Partnership.
The recycling info will reflect changes in real time.