Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on October 12-13/2023
To Our Patriot Martyrs: We shall never forget you & may your Soul rest in peace./Claude A Hillar Hajjar/Face Book/October 12/2023
Lebanese government prepares itself for possible war
Reports On Reinforcement Of Hizbullah Forces And Iranian Militias In Southern Syria In Advance Of Possible Expansion Of The Israel-Hamas Fighting
Hamas-Israel conflict: What's Lebanon stance? Is it ready for another war?
UNIFIL head says situation in south 'stable but volatile'
'Shaking with fear', Israelis desert villages bordering Lebanon
Hamas spokesperson to LBCI: Hamas released Israeli woman and two children
Mikati says ministerial session held to discuss two fundamental items
Iranian Foreign Minister Initiates Regional Tour Amidst Escalating Events in Palestine
Hezbollah's Missile Strikes Raise US Concerns over Northern Israel
Hezbollah moves to repair homes damaged by Israeli shelling
Familiar exodus for south Lebanon residents near Israeli border
Hani Bohsali to LBCI: Prices of foodstuffs will not be affected by events in Gaza
Jumblat blasts Biden over silence on Israel's crimes

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 12-13/2023
Israel hits Syria airports in response to mortar fire
Israel prepares for possible ground assault
Israel will not supply water, fuel to Gaza until hostages freed
Blinken visits Israel to stress US support for war on Hamas
US will organize flights to evacuate its citizens from Israel
Blinken discusses with Israel ‘humanitarian needs’ of Gaza Strip
US Blinken will visit Arab countries to discuss war in Gaza
Gaza's hospitals struggle to cope amid Israeli airstrikes
Drone crashes in Russia, causing deaths
British warships, aircraft, and a force of Royal Marines are joining a US Navy carrier strike group in waters near Israel
Israeli commander raced to military base to defend it from ‘surprise’ Hamas attack
Mastermind of Hamas terror attacks is so secretive that one of the few images linked to him only shows his shadow
US and Qatar agree to prevent disbursal of recently unfrozen Iranian funds as Israel-Hamas war rages

Titles For The Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on October 12-13/2023
Muslim Solidarity vs Western Apathy/Raymond Ibrahim/October 12/2013
Iranian Regime Mouthpiece Kayhan: Iran Is The Mind And Hands Behind Hamas; Operation 'Al-Aqsa Flood' Was Planned, Orchestrated By Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani Before He Was Killed; Khamenei Hinted In August 2022, August 2023 At 'The Complete Conquest' Of Israel/MEMRI/October 12, 2023
Netanyahu And Qatar Would Share Responsibility For An Imminent Regional War/Yigal Carmon/MEMRI/October 12, 2023
Hamas and Iran: Slaughtering Jews for Decades/Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute./October 12, 2023
How Biden miscalculated on Iran/Rick Newman/Yahoo Finance/October 12, 2023
U.S. Wartime Support to Israel: First Steps and Future Considerations/Grant Rumley/The Washington Institute/October 12/2023

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on October 12-13/2023
To Our Patriot Martyrs: We shall never forget you & may your Soul rest in peace.
Claude A Hillar Hajjar/Face Book/October 12/2023
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/123121/123121/
It is so SAD & DISGUSTING to see the so-called Lebanese groups & pages, siding with the Terrorists who razed our sacred beloved Lebanon to the ground & massacred our innocent people!!!
Photos of Genocides, Crimes and Massacres Committed by the Terrorists Palestinians/PLO, the Syrians-Assad and Iranian Hezbollah Against the Lebanese, since 1969.
We pay homage to our Lebanese Martyrs who fell heroically in defiance of tyranny...
To their families for their inexpressible faith and courage...
To every freedom fighter and patriot who will never rest before fulfilling the Pledge of "A Free, Independent and Sovereign Lebanon".
We shall never forget you...May your Soul rest in peace.

Lebanese government prepares itself for possible war
Nada Maucourant Atallah/The National/October 12, 2023
While threat of conflict looms, there is a general consensus that war would not be in Lebanon's best interests
As the Shiite militia Hezbollah and its Palestinian allies trade deadly attacks with the Israeli military in the southern part of the country, the Lebanese government has been relatively silent. Little has been heard from the government in Beirut since the exchange of fire began a day after the start of the latest Israel-Gaza war that risks dragging in Lebanon.
Only on Thursday did the cabinet meet to discuss the escalation, amid concerns that the skirmishes might lead to the war's spillover into a country already grappling with one of the worst financial collapses in modern history. “The Council of Ministers strongly condemns the criminal acts committed by the Zionist enemy in Gaza and we affirm solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle,” caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said after the meeting. He said that what happened on the Lebanese-Israeli border was “of deep concern” and blamed Israel's “provocations” and “violations” for the situation.
At the meeting, officials underscored that Lebanon was not in a situation to accommodate a war. “A war would be disastrous for Lebanon. Lebanon is on a fine line where it could fall apart completely,” caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam told The National. “We cannot afford a conflict; we are already extremely vulnerable.”He added that he had developed several immediate steps to address potential food security issues and ordered a report to be prepared, as Lebanon lacks national grain reserves. “We plan for the worst while hoping for the best,” he said. Health Minister Firass Abiad said the government had raised the readiness of Lebanon's healthcare faculties in case a full-scale conflict broke out. “Everyone wants peace,” an observer of the meeting told The National, and added that the suffering of the Palestinian people had been specifically highlighted. International concern about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is mounting after five days of heavy Israeli bombardment in retaliation for an attack by Gaza-based Hamas militants on Saturday that killed more than 1,300 in Israel. The cabinet meeting was also attended by the commanders of Lebanon's various security branches, including army chief Gen Joseph Aoun. Although Hezbollah is a militia as well as a political party with a presence in parliament, it operates independently of the state and is believed to be stronger than the army.
In contrast to the government, Hezbollah has published frequent press releases about its military actions and political positions. Its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, publicly praised the attack by Hamas. “This triumphant operation is a decisive response to the continuing crimes of the occupation and continuous violations against sanctities, honours and dignities,” he said. Further complicating the issue is Lebanon’s deeply fractured political scene. Although none of Hezbollah’s most strident critics sit in the cabinet, the ministers come from an array of political parties besides Hezbollah and its allies.
It is understood that, while views expressed in the cabinet meeting differed at times, the general consensus was that Lebanon was deeply sympathetic towards the plight of the Palestinian people, but a war in Lebanon was not in the country's best interests. Karim Bitar, professor of International Relations at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, said that the Lebanese government had “zero control” over the situation – whether that be over the actions of Hezbollah or the situation in southern Lebanon. “The Lebanese authorities seem completely absent, completely impotent. They are in a state of total paralysis. To put it shortly, they seem to be comatose,” he said. He added that this was worsened by the fact that “the Lebanese people are polarised and at the same particularly anxious because it will be devastating for Lebanon if there is a second front opened and an all-out conflict in the region”.
Most in Lebanon are talking of the last time that Israel and Hezbollah engaged in all-out conflict: a brutal month-long war in 2006. The country remains on a knife edge amid fears something similar could happen. But, for now, the situation along the Lebanese-Israel border is “stable but volatile”, according to Maj Gen Arnold Lazaro, commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.The exchanges of fire had “fortunately not escalated into conflict”, he said on Thursday. “We have increased patrols and other activities to maintain stability, co-ordinating this work with the Lebanese Armed Forces.”

Reports On Reinforcement Of Hizbullah Forces And Iranian Militias In Southern Syria In Advance Of Possible Expansion Of The Israel-Hamas Fighting
MEMRI/October 12, 2023
Iran, Lebanon, Palestine | Special Dispatch No. 10859
Arab online news outlets, among them those affiliated with the Syrian opposition, are reporting on intensified preparations by Hizbullah and Iranian militias in Syria, in advance of the possibility that the current war between Israel and Hamas will expand to the Syrian front.
Some of these reports stated that these militias are building up their forces in southern Syria, primarily in the Dera'a and Quneitra provinces, near the Syria-Israel border.
The following are some of these reports:
On October 10, 2023, the Syrian Human Rights Observatory organization reported that Palestinian factions that are working together with Hizbullah shelled the Golan Heights from within Syria.[1]
The front page of the Syrian daily Al-Watan, which is affiliated with President Bashar Al-Assad, featured the following photo, with the text "Flood Of Vengeance – From Syria To Palestine."[2]
"Flood Of Vengeance – From Syria To Palestine (Source: Al-Watan, Syria, October 8, 2023.
According to reports, the reinforcement of the pro-Iran forces in southern Syria has included the arrival of the Al-Radwan Unit, a select Hizbullah unit, in regions near the border with Israel. On October 10, the Damascus Voice website, which is affiliated with the Syrian opposition, reported that operatives from the Al-Radwan Unit had arrived at several positions in Dera'a province, equipped with Iranian drones and air defense systems. It was also reported that several of the unit's operatives had deployed along the border with Israel, under the supervision of Iranian IRGC generals.[3]
The previous day, October 9, Damascus Voice reported that Al-Radwan Unit operatives had arrived in military bases near the village of Al-Sihayliyyah in the rural area north of Dera'a, equipped with Iranian anti-tank missiles and Ababil UAVs. Leading these operatives were Hizbullah commanders: Al-Haj Noor Al-Din Sha'ito and Al-Haj Abbas Salem, who are the top officials in charge of operating the UAVs in the Al-Radwan Unit.[4]
At the same time, the Horan Free Media network, which is affiliated with the Syrian opposition and covers southern Syria, reported on October 8 that Hizbullah operatives had entered several military positions in northwest Dera'a province and Quneitra province near the border with Israel and that they were equipped with UAVs, Iranian Fajr missiles, and advanced weaponry.[5] Another noted that Hizbullah operatives had arrived at outposts in the village of Bariqa in Quneitra province, about two kilometers from the Israeli border.[6]
Other Iranian militias too were making preparations at the Syria-Israel border. On October 9, it was reported that the Liwaa Al-Imam Al-Hussein militia had dispatched 60 of its operatives from the Rif Damascus province to Tel Al-Za'atar near the northern entrance to the city of Dera'a, where they engaged in preparing fortifications and tunnels and deployed heavy and medium automatic weapons.[7] Likewise, the Hizbullah-affiliated Fawz Al-Julan militia, which is positioned near the Golan Heights, received orders to escalate its readiness and to summon all its operatives in Quneitra province.[8] Additionally, the presence of the Iran-affiliated Palestinian Liwaa Al-Quds militia was identified in several villages in Quneitra province near the Golan Heights.[9]
At the same time, the commanders of Iranian militias in eastern Syria offered their operatives an option to move to southern Syria to support the fighting against Israel.[10]
Report: 22 Buses Full Of Afghan And Iraqi Militias Disguised As Shi'ite Pilgrims Entered Syria From Iraq
It appears that Iran is estimating that Israel's current engagement in the Gaza Strip will allow Iran to reinforce its presence in Syria without coming under attack by Israel. The Syrian opposition website Orient-news.net reported on October 11 that since the beginning of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" war, 22 buses full of operatives from Afghan and Iraqi militias disguised as Shi'ite pilgrims had entered Syria from Iraq. These operatives arrived in Homs and Damascus, and from there were dispersed among the Iranian militia outposts. Similar reports about militia operatives entering in the guise of religious tourists were also published by Syrian opposition websites prior to October 7, and it was also reported that Iran had sent air defense and radar equipment to its militias in Deir Al-Zour.[11]
In Syria, Iranian Activity To Rally Public Support For Hamas
Iranian activity in Syria following the outbreak of the war went beyond bringing in weapons and pro-Iran forces. In Deir Al-Zour, parts of which have Iranian militias in them, the militia commanders launched a public relations campaign to rally support for Hamas and collect donations for the Palestinian resistance.[12]
[1] Syriahr.com, October 10, 2023.
[2] Al-Watan (Syria), October 8, 2023.
[3] Damascusv.com, October 10, 2023.
[4] Damascusv.com, October 9, 2023.
[5] Facebook.com/HoranFreeMedia, October 8, 2023.
[6] Damascusv.com, October 10, 2023.
[7] Damascusv.com, October 9, 2023.
[8] Damascusv.com, October 10, 2023.
[9] Syria.tv, October 8, 2023.
[10] Deirezzor24.net, October 10, 2023.
[11] Orient-news.net, October 11, 2023. It should be noted that there were reports on October 12 about an Israeli attack on Damascus and Aleppo airports that was connected to news about Iranian weapons being smuggled into Syria. Alarabiya.net, October 12, 2023.
[12] Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), October 9, 2023; Deirezzor24.net, October 11, 2023.

Hamas-Israel conflict: What's Lebanon stance? Is it ready for another war?
Naharnet/October 12, 2023
Cabinet convenes today, Thursday, to discuss the situation in Gaza, after a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel killed more than 1,200 people in Israeli towns and communities around the enclave. Israel has launched a withering air campaign killing around 1,200 people in Gaza, as it announced a "complete siege" on the strip, cutting off water, fuel and electricity supplies. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has received many calls as the U.S. and Israel fear an impending offensive by Hezbollah against Israel. The Lebanese government has reportedly been warned against escalating the conflict. "We do not want Lebanon to join the fray and we are trying to avoid that," caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said earlier this week after meeting Mikati. He had earlier revealed that the Lebanese government has been promised that Hezbollah will not intervene in the Hamas-Israel war, "unless Israel started it."
Former Progressive Socialist party leader Walid Jumblat called on Hezbollah to stay out of the Israeli-Palestinian war, but said Wednesday that he supports anyone who resists against Israel. "I hope that there will be no war (in Lebanon), but no one knows what Israel is planning to do, so we must be fully prepared to confront any aggression," Jubmlat said. Other leaders, including Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel have warned against war. Geagea said he will "exert utmost effort" to prevent a major ignition of Lebanon’s southern front with Israel, while Bassil warned against a return to the so-called “Fatah Land” era in south Lebanon. “As much as we support the right of the Palestinian resistance to fight Israel on Palestine’s land, we refuse any use of Lebanese territory as a launchpad for military actions by any non-Lebanese party,” Bassil said on a post on the X platform. On Monday Palestinian militants tried to infiltrate into Israel from Lebanon. Israel retaliated by striking south Lebanon and killing three Hezbollah members. For his part, Gemayel accused Hezbollah of "exposing Lebanon to danger.""We warn against dragging Lebanon into this conflict while our country is unable to pay the price," Gemayel said. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, the Palestinian factions and several other parties in Lebanon have called for protests Friday across Lebanon in support of Palestine, after Hamas called for protests across the Muslim world on Friday. Lebanese citizens who were interviewed about their opinion regarding a possible war with Israel were divided between supporters and opposers. Many said that the Lebanese have already suffered a lot, as Lebanon has been, since late 2019, in a state of economic collapse that the World Bank says is one of the worst in modern times and Beirut has been devastated by a massive explosion in August 2020 that killed more than 200 people and injured at least 6,500. In 2006, Hezbollah and Israel fought a devastating 34-day war that left more than 1,200 people dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly soldiers. On Wednesday, Israel shelled south Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets from the border area in retaliation for the killing of three members earlier this week amid soaring tensions as Israel battles Gaza militants.

UNIFIL head says situation in south 'stable but volatile'
Naharnet/October 12, 2023
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Aroldo Lázaro has issued a statement on the recent exchanges of fire along the Blue Line. “Despite concerning events in the past days, the situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations remains stable, but volatile. Exchanges of fire between Lebanese territory and Israel have fortunately not escalated into conflict. Our peacekeepers remain in their positions and on task,” Lázaro said. “We have increased patrols and other activities to maintain stability, coordinating this work with the Lebanese Armed Forces. We have actively engaged with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line to de-escalate the situation and avoid misunderstandings,” he added. “Our main goal is to help avoid confrontation between Lebanon and Israel, and any event that brings conflict closer is a concern. We are working 24/7 to ensure this does not happen,” Lázaro went on to say.

'Shaking with fear', Israelis desert villages bordering Lebanon
Agence France Presse/October 12, 2023
A stationary cable car, an abandoned tourist van, empty roads -- the scene around Rosh Hanikra, an Israeli seaside kibbutz bordering Lebanon, looked like still life if not for the goats grazing languidly under the hot wind. The kibbutz has over the years seen its share of rockets launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon, but this time, it has become a ghost town over fears that it could be the target of an Islamist incursion like the deadly attack by Hamas fighters in southern Israel. Under cover of a barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, Hamas militants breached Israel's border on Saturday, storming kibbutzim and gunning down civilians in the streets, at a rave party and in their homes, claiming more than 1,200 lives. Israel has responded by declaring war on Hamas, pounding targets in Gaza where officials said more than 1,300 people have been killed. Wary of Hezbollah -- also backed by Iran like Hamas -- in its north, Israel has rushed troops to villages like Rosh Hanikra. But terrified inhabitants were not taking any chances. In the neighbouring town of Shlomi, Ida Lannkri said she was still "shaking with fear" hours after an anti-missile rocket fired from Lebanon landed near a military post on Wednesday morning.
"There was a loud boom that set fire to all of the mountain," said Lannkri, recalling the "smell of gunpowder". From her balcony, Lannkri has a view of a green slope where a thick wall zig-zags across, marking the Israeli-Lebanese border. She will be leaving for the Red Sea coastal resort Eilat imminently, the 61-year-old with short dark hair said.Only "a family or two remain" in her 28-apartment building, said Lannkri.
'Same trauma'
With most civilians gone, Israeli soldiers have fanned out across Shlomi's numerous homes, casting a watchful eye on the mountain border. Tanks were also parked near the village while Hummer armoured trucks could be spotted in walled compounds. The village's petrol station is now one of the rare places that has stayed open, becoming the go-to store for the few residents remaining to get water, biscuits or milk. Israel Ravid, 34, who works at a petrol station, said his wife had already left Shlomi with their two children. Deeply shaken by the bombing that she had suffered during the 2006 war with Hezbollah, he said "she doesn't want our children to suffer the same trauma". The 2006 war left more than 1,200 dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly soldiers. Since then, cross-border skirmishes have been common, but both sides have refrained from all-out conflict. Ravi said he suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome, but wanted to keep busy because staying at home and watching the horrors unfold on television news was "horrible". Teacher Leon Gershovich, 40, also tried not to let his fears take over him. From his garage, the border is less than a kilometer away.
His elderly mother had sought to dissuade him from talking to AFP, fearing that the journalists were Hezbollah fighters in disguise. "She isn't afraid so much of rockets, but of what can repeat itself like it happened in the Gaza border. And we know how close we are to the border," said Gershovich. "If they cross and run, how many will it take for them to get here? Knowing that actually it could happen right here like it happened there in itself is extremely frightening."

Hamas spokesperson to LBCI: Hamas released Israeli woman and two children
LBCI/October 12, 2023
Hamas spokesperson Walid al-Kilani confirmed that Hamas released an Israeli woman and two children yesterday in response to the circulated news from Israel and Western media suggesting that Hamas is executing women and children. Al-Kilani, in an interview on LBCI’s Nharkom Said TV show, distinguished between the Arab people whose hearts are with the Palestinian cause and the Arab regimes. He emphasized that the resistance will remain steadfast until the liberation of the Palestinian land.

Mikati says ministerial session held to discuss two fundamental items
LBCI/October 12, 2023
The Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, discussed on Thursday two main topics with the ministers. He first talked about the violations occurring on the borders in light of the exceptional circumstances in Lebanon. However, the ministers were briefed on his diplomatic contacts, including conversations with the British Prime Minister and the French President, emphasizing the need to protect Lebanon and maintain its stability through all means. Furthermore, Mikati discussed the Syrian refugee file, which was previously agreed to be a fundamental item on every Cabinet session's agenda.

Iranian Foreign Minister Initiates Regional Tour Amidst Escalating Events in Palestine
LBCI/October 12, 2023
Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, announced that 'amidst the ongoing events in Palestine and the crimes committed against Gaza and its dangerous repercussions,' a tour by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian begins today.
He noted that this visit includes the Lebanese Republic.

Hezbollah's Missile Strikes Raise US Concerns over Northern Israel
LBCI/October 12, 2023
The United States expressed its "clear concern" on Wednesday over the rocket attacks carried out by the Lebanese Hezbollah towards northern Israel since the outbreak of the conflict between the Hebrew state and Hamas over the weekend. John Kirby, the spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated that they are “closely monitoring some of the rocket attacks across the northern borders of Israel, originating naturally from Hezbollah."

Hezbollah moves to repair homes damaged by Israeli shelling
Naharnet/October 12, 2023
Hezbollah has announced that it will help residents repair their homes in the southern towns that witnessed Israeli shelling in recent days. “The brutal Israeli aggression against south Lebanon over the past days led to the damage of a number of homes, shops, cars and other properties, especially in the towns of al-Dhayra, Marwahin and Yarin,” Hezbollah said in a statement. Hezbollah has “dispatched specialist engineers to inspect the damages so that compensations be paid to the owners, in the first step toward launching the reconstruction process,” the statement added. “This first step was welcomed by the residents, who stressed their support for the resistance and its fighters in defending them and confronting any Israeli aggression against Lebanon, thanking the resistance’s leadership that has stood and is still standing by them in the various situations and circumstances,” the statement said.

Familiar exodus for south Lebanon residents near Israeli border
Agence France Presse/October 12, 2023
Sitting idly outside their home in a south Lebanon town largely emptied of its residents, Shadia Abu Khalil and her mother sipped coffee as rocket fire pierced the Wednesday morning calm. The two women are among the last remaining residents of Qlaileh in the Tyre district, used by militants to launch attacks against Israel in recent days. "More than two thirds of town residents have left," Abu Khalil, 48, told AFP, saying the exodus was on a scale last seen during Hezbollah's 2006 war with Israel. "I have five children. Those abroad called me, and those in Beirut called me... they all said: mom, get out!"Tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border have soared after Palestinian group Hamas launched an unprecedented multi-pronged attack on Israel's southern flank from the blockaded Gaza Strip on Saturday morning. Since Sunday, Israel and its rivals across its northern border with Lebanon have traded fire. On Monday, Hezbollah said Israeli strikes killed three of its members, while Palestinian fighters claimed a thwarted infiltration bid. Israel said it hit Hezbollah observation posts on Tuesday, while Hamas' armed wing claimed rocket fire that a military source said was launched from Qlaileh. On Wednesday, Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli position near the village of Dhayra, with loud bangs shaking the orchards near Abu Khalil's home. Israeli retaliatory fire shortly after wounded three people and turned Dhayra into a ghost town."Where are we supposed to go?" said Abu Khalil.
"It's not easy to just leave your home."The violence is nothing new in south Lebanon, which Israeli forces occupied for 22 years until their withdrawal in 2000. The 2006 war with Hezbollah, which left more than 1,200 dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly soldiers, also hit the area hard. Since then, cross-border skirmishes have been common, but both sides have refrained from all-out conflict.
- No exit -
Sitting in a cafe at the entrance to Qlaileh, Bilal Saleh, 32, scrolled for the latest news updates on his mobile phone. The father of two is the last member of his family still in the town after his brothers fled on Tuesday night. "Barely anyone remains," Saleh said, relentlessly checking for fresh alerts. "People filled their tanks with petrol, piled their kids and their belongings into their cars and quickly drove off... leaving everything behind," he said, adding: "This scene reminds me of the days of 2006." That 34-day conflict caused large-scale destruction of roads and other infrastructure, as well as the mass displacement of civilians. Around one million in Lebanon were internally displaced or fled the country, according to the United Nations. Some sought shelter in mountainous towns and villages far from the fighting, while others crossed into neighboring Syria -- now ravaged by conflict since 2011, making it an unviable escape option if war broke out. Lebanon's crushing, four-year-long economic crisis, one of the world's worst in modern times, has also limited people's ability to flee or host any displaced. Kamleh, Abu Khalil's mother, said she had packed a bag but was not certain she would make it out because the family doesn't have a car. Just the previous night, she said she waited for hours before finally hitching a ride to safety, after rockets were fired near her house. "If we had a car or money... we would have gone to a relative's house in Sidon or Tyre," she said, referring to two major southern cities. "We are exhausted, we are fatigued," the 72-year-old added.

Hani Bohsali to LBCI: Prices of foodstuffs will not be affected by events in Gaza
LBCI/October 12, 2023
President of the Union of Food Importers, Hani Bohsali, reassured in a statement today that "at present, there is no issue regarding the supplies of foodstuffs, whether in terms of the arrival of goods or the existing stock in Lebanon." He emphasized at the same time that "the prices of foodstuffs will not be affected by the events in Gaza and have maintained their stability."While confirming that "things are going well, and there is no need to take any action," he said, that "despite the instability and the pressure prevailing in Lebanon's scene, things are proceeding normally, and work at the Port of Beirut and Rafic Hariri International Airport - Beirut is normal."He pointed out that "there is a lot of goods in the markets and warehouses, covering all categories, sufficient for at least three months."

Jumblat blasts Biden over silence on Israel's crimes
Naharnet/October 12, 2023
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has asked U.S. president Joe Biden if "incinerating" the Palestinian people is acceptable, after the latter condemned Hamas' "brutality."On the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, Biden compared Hamas to ISIS. "The brutality of Hamas, the blood-thirstiness, brings to mind the worst rampages of ISIS," Biden wrote. "This is terrorism," he added. Jumblat replied on X that Biden is only seeing one side of the story. "What about the Palestinian people? What about Gaza, the biggest concentration camp of the world? Will you leave them to be incinerated by Israeli bombs?" he asked.

Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 12-13/2023
Israel hits Syria airports in response to mortar fire
Agence France Presse/October 12, 2023
Israeli strikes targeted Syria's two main airports on Thursday, Syrian state television said, in the first such attack since a Hamas assault on Israel at the weekend triggered fierce fighting. "Israeli aggression targets Damascus and Aleppo airports," the state television reported on the messaging app Telegram, without providing additional details. An Israeli army spokesman said that the strikes come in response to the firing of mortar shells from Syria at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights several days ago. Israeli strikes have repeatedly caused the grounding of flights at the airports in Aleppo and the capital Damascus, both of which are controlled by the government of war-torn Syria. The latest strikes come as Hamas and Israel traded heavy fire for a sixth day, after hundreds of Hamas gunmen stormed across the Gaza border into Israel on Saturday and reportedly killed more than 1,000 people. They also come as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Israel, and hours after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in a telephone call with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, called on Arab and Islamic countries to cooperate in confronting Israel. During more than a decade of war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its northern neighbor, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes it carries out on Syria, but it has repeatedly said it would not allow its arch-foe Iran, which supports Assad's government, to expand its footprint there. Iran, which backs Hamas, on Saturday celebrated Hamas' assault on Israel, though it insisted it was not involved in it.

Israel prepares for possible ground assault
Associated Press/October 12, 2023
Palestinians in Gaza lined up outside bakeries on Thursday after spending the night in pitch darkness surrounded by the ruins of pulverized neighborhoods, as Israel launched new airstrikes and said it was preparing for a possible ground invasion. International aid groups warned that deaths in Gaza could accelerate as Israel prevents delivery of supplies. The war, which was ignited by a bloody and wide-ranging Hamas attack into Israel, has already claimed at least 2,400 lives on both sides. Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, told reporters Thursday that forces "are preparing for a ground maneuver if decided," but that the political leadership has not yet ordered one. A ground offensive in Gaza, the first since the 2014 war, would likely bring even higher casualties on both sides in brutal house-to-house fighting. In Gaza, Palestinians fleeing airstrikes can be seen running through the streets, carrying their belongings and looking for a safe place. Hundreds of thousands have crowded into U.N.-run schools while others are staying with relatives or even strangers who let them in. Lines form outside bakeries and grocery stores during the few hours they dare to open, and the bakeries could soon shut down for lack of fuel or power. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "crush and destroy" Hamas with the support of a new war cabinet formed Wednesday that includes a longtime opposition critic. "Every Hamas member is a dead man," Netanyahu said in a televised address. The U.S. has pledged unwavering support for Israel's response, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday to meet with Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders. The Israeli military said overnight strikes targeted Hamas' elite Nukhba forces, including command centers used by the fighters who attacked Israel on Saturday, and the home of a senior Hamas naval operative that it said was used to store unspecified weapons. Another airstrike killed a commander with the Islamic Jihad armed group in his family home in the northern town of Beit Lahia, according to media linked to the group's armed wing."Right now we are focused on taking out their senior leadership," Hecht, the military spokesman, said. "Not only the military leadership, but also the governmental leadership, all the way up to (top Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar. They were directly connected."
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Israeli strikes demolished two multi-story houses on top of residents without warning, killing and wounding "a large number" of people, mainly civilians. Hamas has threatened to kill Israeli hostages if Israel strikes Palestinian civilians without warning. Israel has halted the entry of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory. On Tuesday, Gaza's only power station ran out of fuel and shut down, leaving only lights powered by scattered private generators. Those will shut off as well if fuel is not allowed in. A senior official with the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that lack of electricity could cripple hospitals, as he called for Hamas to release hostages.
"As Gaza loses power, hospitals lose power, putting newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen at risk. Kidney dialysis stops, and X-rays can't be taken," said Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC's regional director. "Without electricity, hospitals risk turning into morgues."
In Israel, opposition leader Benny Gantz, a former defense minister and political opponent of Netanyahu, joined a new wartime cabinet. Israel has mobilized 360,000 reservists, massed additional forces near Gaza and evacuated tens of thousands of residents from nearby communities. The Israeli government is under intense public pressure to topple Hamas after its militants stormed through a border fence Saturday and massacred hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival.
Netanyahu alleged that the attackers engaged in atrocities, including binding boys and girls and shooting them in the head, burning people alive, raping women and beheading soldiers.
The prime minister's allegations could not be independently confirmed, and authorities did not immediately offer further details. Rescue workers and witnesses have described horrifying scenes, including the slaughter of elderly people and finding bloody rooms crowded with massacred civilians. Militants in Gaza are holding an estimated 150 people taken hostage from Israel — soldiers, men, women, children and older adults — and they have fired thousands of rockets into Israel over the past five days.
Israel's increasingly destructive airstrikes in Gaza have flattened entire city blocks and left unknown numbers of bodies beneath debris. A ground offensive in Gaza, whose 2.3 million residents are densely packed into a strip of land only 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, would likely result in a surge of casualties on both sides. The U.N. said late Wednesday the number of people displaced by the airstrikes had soared 30 percent within 24 hours, to 339,000, two-thirds of them crowding into U.N. schools. Others sought shelter in the shrinking number of safe neighborhoods.
The Egyptian government rejected an American proposal to allow Palestinians fleeing Israel's bombardment to leave Gaza, a senior Egyptian official said early Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. Egypt believes that Palestinians leaving Gaza would harm the Palestinian cause, and its state-run media reported that the Israeli offensive is part of a scheme to empty the enclave.
Convoys stood loaded with fuel and food Wednesday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, but were unable to enter Gaza, the official said. The only crossing point between Egypt and Gaza was shut down Tuesday following nearby Israeli airstrikes. The official said Egypt was talking with Israel and the U.S. on establishing safe corridors inside Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinians, and with Israel and other foreign governments to evacuate foreigners through the Rafah crossing point. The risk of the war spreading was evident Wednesday after Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli military position and claimed to have killed and wounded troops. The Israeli military confirmed the attack but did not comment on possible casualties. The Israeli army shelled the area in southern Lebanon where the attack was launched. The death toll in Gaza rose to 1,200 early Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said. The Gaza Strip's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, has only enough fuel to keep power on for three days, said Matthias Kannes, a Gaza-based official for Doctors Without Borders. The group said the two hospitals it runs in Gaza were running out of surgical equipment, antibiotics, fuel and other supplies. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a reconstructive surgeon at al-Shifa, said he had 50 patients waiting to go to the operating room. "We're already beyond the capacity of the system to cope," he said. The health system "has the rest of the week before it collapses, not just because of the diesel. All supplies are running short."
The Palestinian Red Crescent said other hospitals' generators will run out in five days. Residential buildings, unable to store as much diesel, likely will go dark sooner.
Shock, grief and demands for vengeance against Hamas are running high in Israel.
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a village south of Nablus, opening fire on Palestinians and killing three, the territory's health ministry said. More than two dozen Palestinians have died in fighting in the West Bank since the weekend. In a new tactic, Israel is warning civilians to evacuate whole Gaza neighborhoods, rather than just individual buildings, then leveling large swaths in waves of airstrikes. Israel's tone has changed as well. In past conflicts, its military insisted on the precision of strikes in Gaza, trying to ward off criticism over civilian deaths. This time, military briefings emphasize the destruction being wreaked. Even with the evacuation warnings, Palestinians say some are unable to escape or have nowhere to go, and that entire families have been crushed under rubble. Other times, strikes come with no notice, survivors say. "There was no warning or anything," said Hashem Abu Manea, 58, who lost his 15-year-old daughter, Joanna, when a strike late Tuesday leveled his home in Gaza City. The Israeli military said more than 1,200 people, including 189 soldiers, have been killed in Israel, a staggering toll unseen since the 1973 war with Egypt and Syria that lasted weeks. Israel says roughly 1,500 Hamas militants were killed inside Israel, and that hundreds of the dead inside Gaza are Hamas members.

Israel will not supply water, fuel to Gaza until hostages freed
Agence France Presse/October 12, 2023
Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz vowed Thursday his country would not allow basic resources or humanitarian aid into Gaza until Hamas released the people it abducted during its surprise weekend onslaught. "Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home," he said in a statement. Around 150 Israelis, foreigners and dual nationals were abducted to the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants as part of the Saturday attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israeli towns and communities around the enclave. Israel has in turn launched a withering air campaign against Hamas militants in the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing around 1,200 people. In recent days Israel announced a "complete siege" on Gaza, cutting off water, fuel and electricity supplies. The Palestinian territory's sole power plant shut down on Wednesday after running out of fuel.

Blinken visits Israel to stress US support for war on Hamas
Associated Press/October 12, 2023
Israel and Hamas traded more heavy fire Thursday in the Gaza war that has killed thousands as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited to stress strong solidarity but also urge restraint to protect Palestinian civilians. Israel's army has hammered Hamas with thousands of strikes ahead of what is widely expected to be a ground invasion of the crowded territory, after Hamas gunmen killed 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took about 150 hostages. More than 1,200 Palestinians have died in Gaza as Israel has levelled entire city blocks and destroyed thousands of buildings in the six days since Hamas launched their unprecedented attack, the bloodiest in Israeli history. "Every Hamas member is a dead man," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the traumatised nation after forming a wartime government Wednesday, likening Hamas to the Islamic State group and vowing to "crush them and destroy them".
U.S. President Joe Biden -- who has strongly backed Israel and started sending military aid -- also cautioned on Wednesday that Israel must, despite "all the anger and frustration ... operate by the rules of war". Fears have grown for Gaza's 2.4 million residents now enduring the fifth war in 15 years in the long-blockaded territory, which has also seen seen Israel cut off water, food and power supplies. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres voiced concern about the "supercharged cycle of violence and horror". He urged the release of all hostages and the lifting of the siege and stressed that "civilians must be protected at all times". There have been calls for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to allow Palestinians to escape ahead of a possible Israeli ground invasion that would spell brutal urban combat and house to house fighting. Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz vowed Thursday the total siege of Gaza would continue until the hostages are freed. "Humanitarian aid to Gaza?" he wrote in a statement. "No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home."
'All I do is cry' -
Israel has called up 300,000 reservists and rushed forces, tanks and heavy armour to the southern desert areas around Gaza from where Hamas launched their unprecedented attack on October 7. Israeli soldiers have since then cleared the southern towns and kibbutz communities and killed 1,500 of the militants, while making ever more shocking discoveries of large numbers of dead civilians, including children. "I would never have been able to imagine .. something like this," Doron Spielman, an Israeli army spokesman, said at one gated community where more than 100 residents were killed. "It looks like... an atomic bomb just landed here."Netanyahu has said the Hamas onslaught was of a level of "savagery... we have not seen since the Holocaust". Israeli outrage has been fuelled by Hamas's capture of at least 150 hostages -- mostly Israelis but also foreign and dual nationals -- now being held in Gaza.
"I know he's out there somewhere," one of the affected Israelis, Ausa Meir, said of her brother Michael, who is among the captives. "It's very, very painful."Hamas has threatened to kill hostages if Israel bombs Gaza civilian targets without advance warning -- deepening the anger and fear in shell-shocked Israel. "Everybody is impacted in Israel," said Joana Ouisman, 38, a finance executive. "I've been watching TV all day for the past three to four days. All I do is cry."
'We must win'
Israel's war now flaring in the south is further complicated by a threat from the north, the Iran-backed Hezbollah group based in Lebanon. Israel has massed tanks on the northern border after repeated clashes with Hezbollah in recent days, including cross-border rockets and shelling. The United States has deployed an aircraft carrier battle group to the eastern Mediterranean in a show of support and warned Israel's other enemies not to enter the conflict. Israel's arch foe Iran has long financially and militarily backed Hamas but insists it had no involvement in Saturday's assault. Unrest has also flared in the occupied West Bank, where protests have been held in solidarity with Gaza and 27 Palestinians have been killed in clashes since Saturday. The conflict has prompted Netanyahu to set aside for now his political differences and form an emergency government including centrist former defence minister Benny Gantz for the duration of the crisis. "Israel before anything else," Gantz wrote in a social media post Wednesday, while the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote that he "welcomes the unity, now we must win".

US will organize flights to evacuate its citizens from Israel
LBCI/October 12, 2023
A White House spokesperson announced on Thursday that the United States will organize flights starting from Friday to evacuate its citizens who wish to leave Israel for Europe.

Blinken discusses with Israel ‘humanitarian needs’ of Gaza Strip
LBCI/October 12, 2023
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Thursday that he discussed with Israel the "humanitarian needs" in the Gaza Strip while reiterating support for Israel's right to respond to the attack by Hamas.

US Blinken will visit Arab countries to discuss war in Gaza
LBCI/October 12, 2023
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Thursday that he will visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates as part of a tour to discuss the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Blinken made this announcement during a press conference in Tel Aviv. The US State Department had previously announced that he would visit Jordan and Qatar on Friday.

Gaza's hospitals struggle to cope amid Israeli airstrikes
LBCI/October 12, 2023
Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza is one of the largest surgical hospitals in the region. Its morgues are now full, so bodies have been moved outside. The hospital is overflowing with wounded patients, and the injured constantly occupy its operating rooms. However, this hospital's situation mirrors other surgical hospitals in the Gaza Strip. There were seven such hospitals in the region, but one of them, Beit Hanoun Hospital, has been out of service for three days due to Israeli airstrikes. So, there are now seven hospitals serving thousands of injured individuals, but they are stretched to their limits. Furthermore, the Israeli blockade on Gaza has left the healthcare system in dire straits. Additionally, electricity and water supplies have been cut off throughout the Gaza Strip, and the Rafah border crossing has been closed to any aid shipments. The fuel for hospital generators is running low, forcing the Palestinian Ministry of Health to ration healthcare services and redirect generator power to maintain critical and life-saving emergency services for the wounded and sick. Moreover, the medication shortage has reached about 44%, according to the ministry. Thus, how long will the remaining fuel supplies last? According to sources from the Palestinian Health Ministry, it may not be more than three days, but ultimately, it depends on consumption. Unless the blockade on the medical sector is lifted, all its facilities will soon be out of service.

Drone crashes in Russia, causing deaths
LBCI/October 12, 2023
Three people were killed due to the wreckage of a drone shot down by Russian defenses during the night, as announced by the governor of the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. According to the head of the "Russia Today" media group, the child who was killed is the daughter of an employee at the "RIA Novosti" news agency in Afghanistan.

British warships, aircraft, and a force of Royal Marines are joining a US Navy carrier strike group in waters near Israel
Jake Epstein/Business Insider/October 12, 2023
40 Commando, Royal Marines prepare before heading from RFA Lyme Bay on a night time raid as part of exercise 'Saif Sareea 3' on October 23, 2018 in the Arabian Sea, The British military is sending warships, aircraft, and troops to the eastern Mediterranean.
There, they will join a US Navy carrier strike group that recently deployed to waters near Israel. Israel's allies have stepped up support in the wake of last weekend's Hamas terror attacks. The British military is deploying warships, surveillance aircraft, and a company of Royal Marines to the eastern Mediterranean, where they will join a US Navy carrier strike group sent to prevent Israel's war with Hamas from worsening and expanding into a broader conflict. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has directed military assets to the region "to support Israel, reinforce regional stability and prevent escalation," according to a government statement shared on Thursday with Insider. In doing so, the UK will become the second NATO member after the US to bolster its security presence in the region in the wake of the brutal Hamas terror attacks last weekend that killed at least 1,200 Israelis.
"Maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft will begin flying in the region from Friday to track threats to regional stability such as the transfer of weapons to terrorist groups," the government said. "Meanwhile, a Royal Navy task group will be moved to the eastern Mediterranean next week as a contingency measure to support humanitarian efforts." The government said that the military package will be on standby to deliver support to Israel and its partners, and provide deterrence. It includes P-8 patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, surveillance assets, three helicopters, a company of Royal Marines, and two Royal Navy ships — the landing ship RFA Lyme Bay and the casualty receiving ship RFA Argus. Sunak also asked that military teams in Israel and in other countries in the region be "bolstered to support" contingency planning and to help neighboring countries manage any external effects that are a result of the conflict, according to the government statement. "We must be unequivocal in making sure the types of horrific scenes we have seen this week will not be repeated. Alongside our allies, the deployment of our world class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation," Sunak said, adding that the UK's military and diplomatic teams are working to "re-establish security" and push for the distribution of humanitarian aid. The UK assets will join a heavily armed US Navy carrier strike group that was dispatched by the Pentagon on Sunday and arrived in the region on Tuesday. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group includes the advanced, first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the guided missile cruiser USS Normandy, and guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), said it was also working to move fighter jets into the region, including F-15s, F-16s and A-10s. Hamas militants on Saturday launched a series of surprise attacks against Israel from land, air, and sea, killing at least 1,200 Israelis — mostly civilians and some foreign nationals — and injuring over 3,000 more. An estimated 150 others are believed to be held hostage by the militants in the densely populated Gaza Strip. The Israeli government responded to the bloody assault by declaring war on Hamas and has bombarded Gaza relentlessly for six straight days, hitting what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says were nearly 2,700 Hamas targets. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, and Gaza's health ministry says nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed with another 6,000 people left injured.
Israeli officials say the aerial campaign is just the start of the offensive, which will likely eventually be followed by a major ground invasion of Gaza. In the meantime, the IDF has mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops, alongside heavy firepower, near the coastal enclave.US and UK officials have stated that the movement of firepower to the eastern Mediterranean is meant to send a message to Israel's other adversaries in the region, including Iran and groups backed by Tehran (which includes Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah). The message is that these groups should not look to exploit the situation by adding to the conflict. Sporadic fighting along Israel's northern border with Lebanon has sparked fears that a second front may open up, potentially sending the war spiraling into a regional conflict. Israel's international partners have continued to provide support. In Washington's case, this includes ongoing weapons shipments and the delivery of munitions and Iron Dome interceptors. "The monstrous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas in recent days have proven why the UK must support Israel's absolute right to self-defence and deter malign external interference," UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said. "No nation should stand alone in the face of such evil and today's deployment will ensure Israel does not." "The Royal Navy Task Group, RAF operations and our wider military support will be an undeniable display of the UK's resolve to ensure Hamas's terrorist campaign fails, whilst reminding those who seek to inflame tensions that the forces of freedom stand with the Israeli people," he added.

Israeli commander raced to military base to defend it from ‘surprise’ Hamas attack
Danielle Sheridan/The Telegraph/October 12, 2023
As Israel’s security establishment was criticised for a “colossal failure” after it was caught completely off-guard by Hamas’s largest assault on the country, one military commander defended his troops’ ability to fight back despite the “surprise” attack. Colonel Elad Edri, commander of the Rescue and Training Brigade of the Israel Defence Forces’ Home Front Command, told of how he had been fast asleep when he woke to alerts about an incoming missile strike.He told The Telegraph how he was at his home in Kfar Yona, an hour and a half’s drive from Zikim military base, and had to race to the site to be with his soldiers. By the time he reached the base, within two hours of the assault having been launched, between 13 and 15 terrorists had been tracked down and killed by his men who targeted them with hand grenades and M-16 assault rifles. Some of the Israeli soldiers involved had only been in training with the IDF for three months. “This brutal attack started not by chance, they wanted to kill as many soldiers on the base as they could,” Col Edri said from an undisclosed location in Israel. Once they had scoured the base for terrorists they focused on evacuating the wounded soldiers to receive medical assistance at a nearby hospital. Some of Col Edri’s men later died. Once the area was secure the troops visited nearby villages, up to 4km east of the Gaza Strip. What “atrocities” they saw are too unimaginable to describe, Col Edri, who has served with the IDF for 25 years, said. However, despite the trauma of Saturday’s onslaught, they remain committed to the task of protecting their nation. “Some of the soldiers were sad having seen their friends killed, or injured,” he added. “This specific unit that experienced this attack has insisted on staying together, they won’t return home or have a vacation. “This is by far the most crazy battle I took part in. It is the biggest honour to have commanded these soldiers.”Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.

Mastermind of Hamas terror attacks is so secretive that one of the few images linked to him only shows his shadow
Lloyd Lee/Business Insider/October 12, 2023
Mohammed Deif leads the military wing of Hamas that carried out the recent attack on Israel. Deif is an elusive figure and is said to be the mastermind behind the Saturday attack. Only a few images of him are known to exist, including a shadowy silhouette believed to be Deif. The mastermind behind Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on Saturday is so secretive that only a few images of the militant leader are known to exist, including a shadowy silhouette of the figure that is sometimes used in demonstrations. Mohammed Deif is the top commander of Hamas's military wing in the Gaza Strip, known as Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, according to the US State Department. In 2015, the US government designated Deif as a global terrorist, holding him responsible for deploying suicide bombers and carrying out kidnappings of Israeli soldiers. During the Gaza War in 2014, Deif led Hamas's offensive strategy, the State Department said. Despite his pivotal role in some of Hamas's most notorious attacks, Deif remains an elusive figure. His exact locations are unknown and he does not make public appearances, according to The Associated Press. Even his real name has yet to be confirmed, The Washington Post reported. Only a few images of Deif exist, according to Reuters, including one of him in his 20s, another of him in a mask, and a shadowy silhouette believed to belong to the military leader. That silhouette had previously been used during a demonstration in August 2014, showing support for Hamas militants fighting the Israeli forces. Israeli officials say the Hamas attacks have so far killed more than 1,200 Israelis, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. At least 1,100 Palestineans have died as well, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health.
On Saturday, the day of the attacks, a Hamas TV channel announced that Deif would issue a rare statement, signaling to Palestinians that something important was about to occur, Reuters reported. The statement was pre-recorded on audio tape and broadcast.
In the recording, Deif said that the attacks were a response to Israel's actions against Palestinians, calling the Hamas operation the "Al-Aqsa Flood" or "Operation Al-Alqsa Storm." The phrase references the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, considered to be Islam's third holiest site. The location has been a frequent point of contention between Israelis and Palestinians. In April, Israeli police stormed the mosque, leaving dozens of worshippers injured. "Righteous fighters, this is your day to bury this criminal enemy. Its time has finished. Kill them wherever you find them," Deif said in the audio recording, according to The New York Times. "Remove this filth from your land and your sacred places. Fight and the angels fight with you."One Hamas source told Reuters that Deif and Yahya Sinwar, another leader of Hamas in Gaza, made the call to prepare the attack on Israel. However, Deif was the "mastermind" of the operation, the source said. Israel, in response, formally declared war on Hamas on Sunday and has since led a nonstop bombardment of the Gaza Strip for the past several days. United Nations officials have made warnings that the conflict is leading to a humanitarian catastrophe in an area that has already been reliant on assistance from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced on Monday that food, fuel, and electricity supplies would be cut off from the region. The more than 2.3 million civilians in Gaza are unable to leave as the only viable exit through a route that leads into Egypt is blocked. The IDF said Thursday that it was prepping more than 350,000 reservists for a possible ground war in Gaza, although a decision to invade the 140-square-mile strip has not yet been made.

US and Qatar agree to prevent disbursal of recently unfrozen Iranian funds as Israel-Hamas war rages
WASHINGTON (AP)/October 12, 2023
The U.S. and Qatar have reached an agreement that the Qataris will not act on any request from Tehran for the time being to access $6 billion in Iranian funds that were unblocked as part of a prisoner swap last month, a U.S. official said Thursday. The move, which stops short of a full refreezing of Iranian funds in Qatar's banking system, follows the deadly attacks by Hamas on Israel and continued Republican criticism of the Biden administration’s deal with Iran, in which $6 billion was unfrozen in exchange for the release of five detained Americans. The official who outlined the understanding between the U.S. and Qatar was not authorized to comment and spoke on condition of anonymity. U.S. officials have strenuously pushed back against the criticism, noting that the money had yet to be spent by Iran and can only be used for humanitarian needs. “None of the funds that have now gone to Qatar have actually been spent or accessed in any way by Iran,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Israel on Thursday when asked about the funds. “Indeed, funds from that account are overseen by the Treasury Department, can only be dispensed for humanitarian goods — food, medicine, medical equipment — and never touch Iranian hands.”The White House has said it has yet to uncover information that Iran was directly involved in the multipronged Hamas operation — the biggest attack on Israel in decades. Even so, Iran is the principal financial and military sponsor of Hamas. U.S. officials have said their intelligence does not show a direct role by Iran and have not pointed blame at Tehran. As Israel prepares to escalate retaliatory action against Hamas militants for the weekend attacks, the White House announced the U.S. government will begin evacuation flights on Friday for Americans who want to leave Israel.
In a deliberate show of support for Israel, a U.S. official confirmed that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin plans to visit on Friday, a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Austin is expected to meet with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to determine what additional military aid is needed in the war with Hamas, said the U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive travel details. Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Thursday, Austin said the U.S. is “working urgently to get Israel what it needs to defend itself, including munitions and our iron Dome interceptor interceptors.”The White House confirmed that the death toll in the fighting now includes at least 27 Americans, while 14 more U.S. citizens in Israel remain unaccounted for. The White House has said a “handful” of Americans are among the dozens of people that Hamas took hostage. U.S. officials estimate 160,000-170,000 Americans are in Israel, as residents, tourists or in some other capacity. An estimated 500 to 600 American citizens are in Gaza, including people who have been working as humanitarian workers or visiting relatives. Egypt and Israel have closed all exits from the blockaded territory. The U.S. government is arranging for at least four charter flights a day out of Israel, according to people familiar with the planning. The State Department said it expects to facilitate the departure of thousands of U.S. citizens per week from Israel. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance. The department asked U.S. citizens in need of evacuation assistance to complete the crisis intake form at travel.state.gov.
There are still some commercial carriers flying in and out of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport, and ground routes are open to leave Israel. White House officials, however, have voiced concern that those options may not be feasible or affordable for some Americans in Israel who want to leave.
Blinken visited Israel on Thursday to meet with Netanyahu and Israeli citizens. He was joined by the deputy special representative for hostage affairs, Steve Gillen, who will stay in Israel to to support the efforts to free the hostages.
Blinken said Americans would continue pushing regional countries for a safe passage in and out of Gaza, which could help the hundreds of American civilians trapped in the blockaded enclave. Israeli defense officials have yet to order a ground invasion of the pummeled territory, but have been planning for the possibility. The military has called over 300,000 reservists into action in preparation. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who joined from Air Force 2 en route to Las Vegas, Nevada, met on Thursday with senior administration officials to discuss efforts to safeguard the U.S., including Jewish, Arab and Muslim communities, following the Hamas attacks in Israel. Biden administration officials have been speaking with lawmakers about the contours of a supplemental aid package as it continues to determine Israel’s needs.
Some key Republicans, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, have advocated for a larger package that would lump in funding for Ukraine, Taiwan and border security along with Israel aid, and the White House has started to prepare such a package, according to an official familiar with the deliberations. The person was granted anonymity to speak about private conversations, and no final decisions have been made on a supplemental package. The White House has indicated that it will send the new request to lawmakers next week, when both chambers are back in Washington. Its legislative affairs staff is set to brief senators on Friday afternoon about “ongoing national security needs,” according to another official granted anonymity to confirm a private meeting.

Latest English LCCC  analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on October 12-13/2023
Muslim Solidarity vs Western Apathy
Raymond Ibrahim/October 12/2013
Ever since Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel—replete with massacres, beheadings, and atrocities of every sort—Muslims throughout the world have been celebrating: in Greece, migrants brandished knives and trampled on the Israeli flag in Athens; in Australia, large Muslim crowds chanted the jihadist war-cry, “Allahu akbar,” and “gas the Jews” in Sydney; and in Germany, after celebrating, triumphant Muslims attacked police in Berlin.
These are just the Muslims who are willing to wear their emotions on their sleeves. Other, more prudent, Muslims—millions no doubt—are celebrating in the quiet of their mind, for obvious reasons.
Why are Muslims around the world—who come from different nations, speak different languages, and have different cultures—so moved by a distant, and rather atrocious, event that presumably does not affect or involve them? Simple: because they are Muslim; or rather, because Islam is so inherently tribal that its adherents, no matter how different or apart, maintain a sense of solidarity, one that especially exults when Islam “scores a victory” against infidels, especially those perceived to mistreat Muslims (as when Muslims also celebrated 9/11).
In connection, one of the most appealing aspects of Islam for Muslims is that it preaches power, supremacy, and even honor, including through violence (jihad), as in the well-known hadith (narrated by Abu Dawud, via Ibn Omar):
I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “If you enter business transactions, grabbing hold of cows’ tails, are content with farming, and you abandon jihad, Allah will allow humiliation to overtake you and will not restrain it until you return to your religion.”
Not only is such survival-of-the fittest thinking instinctively appealing, but it stands in stark contrast with Christian virtues, such as humility, which require cultivation.
In this sense, then, when one group of Muslims strike a victory in the name of Islam, including through bloodshed and massacres, Muslims the world over become elated, because it lifts them up, due, again, to Islam’s tribalistic nature.
On the other hand, the West fails to comprehend Muslim solidarity—which dangerously goes above and beyond “cheering”—precisely because it has no sense, whatsoever, of solidarity.
For example, Westerners are taught to disavow their own heritage and history while celebrating the cultures and customs of others—a thing that no Muslim, indeed, no socially un-engineered peoples could ever think of, let alone actually structure their society around such artificial principles.
Because it specifically deals with the topic currently under discussion—religious solidarity—an even more apt example concerns the absolute indifference that the vast majority of Western Christians have concerning the global persecution of their coreligionists.
Consider: if Muslims around the world have a sense of solidarity with Palestinians, millions of Western Christians could care less that many millions of non-Western Christians are currently being persecuted in ways that make the Palestinians’ lot seem enviable.
In the months and years before Hamas struck Israel, the Muslim nation of Azerbaijan had been committing and continues to commit a bona fide genocide of Christian Armenians—and, ultimately, for the very same reason that Hamas attacked Israel: because Muslims can never be at peace with their (infidel) neighbors. Recall Samuel Huntington’s accurate words: “Islam’s borders are bloody…. Wherever one looks along the perimeter of Islam, Muslims have problems living peaceably with their neighbors.”
Among other things, Azerbaijan committed and continues to commit atrocities against the Armenians under its authority in Artsakh, including by starving them for many months and, most recently, militarily driving them out of their ancestral lands. This is to say nothing of the other hallmarks of jihadist hate, such as the systematic destruction of Armenian churches and other Christian heritage sites.
Or one can look to Nigeria, where an even more dramatic genocide of Christians has been unfolding for well over a decade. There, Muslims have massacred tens of thousands of Christians— “every two hours, a Christian is killed for their faith” on average in Nigeria—and destroyed approximately 20,000 churches and Christian schools.
Atrocities committed against Armenian or Nigerian Christians are, incidentally, just the tip of the iceberg. According to the World Watch List 2023, 360 million Christians around the world experience persecution.
Not only have the overwhelming majority of Western Christians shown no interest concerning the suffering of so many fellow Christians; the very policies of their nations, chief among them the U.S., are directly responsible for exacerbating if not creating—as in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt, and Yemen—the persecution of Christians. Far from acknowledging the genocide of Christians in Nigeria, the Biden administration has gone so far as to remove Nigeria from its list of nations that need to be watched for engaging in or allowing human rights abuses.
This question of solidarity, or lack thereof, is one of the most unremarked but important differences between, not just the West and the Muslim world, but the West and the rest of the world. Whereas millions if not billions of people of every civilization around the world continue to mobilize and feel a sense of solidarity around their collective identity, whether it be religious (Islam) or national (Sinic, Hindu, etc.), the demographically dwindling “West”—whose very name signifies nothing but a geographical direction—continues to push for “diversity.” And this is called “our strength.”

Iranian Regime Mouthpiece Kayhan: Iran Is The Mind And Hands Behind Hamas; Operation 'Al-Aqsa Flood' Was Planned, Orchestrated By Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani Before He Was Killed; Khamenei Hinted In August 2022, August 2023 At 'The Complete Conquest' Of Israel
MEMRI/October 12, 2023
Iran, Palestine | Special Dispatch No. 10857
The war on Israel by the Palestinian Islamic resistance organization Hamas was the result of long planning.[1] Iran has been leading the cause of eliminating Israel, on the ideological and operational levels, since the founding of the Islamic Revolution regime in 1979, and has been working tirelessly to achieve this goal by means of the resistance axis it has built. Iran's political and military leadership has encouraged and expressed pride in the recent massacre of Israelis carried out by the militants of the Palestinian resistance organizations, which the Iranian regime cultivated, and is calling on them to continue it.
Hamas is an integral part of the Iran's Islamic resistance axis, alongside the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Hizbullah in Lebanon, the Shi'ite militias in Syria, the Golan and Iraq and the Houthi Ansar Allah militia in Yemen. It is Iran that founded these organizations, and is training, arming and funding them and providing them with political and organizational support. Iranian officials, both political leaders and military commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and its Qods Force, meet on a regular basis with the leaders and commanders of the resistance axis in Tehran, Beirut, Damascus and throughout the region. (Upcoming MEMRI reports will discuss this in detail).
Iran showcased and continues to showcase the weapons it has developed to achieve this aim, including long- and mid-range missiles (emblazoned with their intended targets: Israel or the Jews), the suicide-drone array, cyberwarfare capabilities to disrupt infrastructure, and more (as will be discussed in an upcoming MEMRI report).
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei – who for years has been calling for Israel's destruction from every available podium and predicting its imminent demise, and has even set out a time frame for this (indicated by digital clock in a central Tehran that counts down to the destruction of Israel in 2040), Khamenei who armed Gaza with rockets (as will be discussed in upcoming MEMRI reports below) and also instructed to arm the West Bank in 2014, an instruction that his operatives are carrying out – openly applauded the latest massacre carried out by his Palestinian resistance forces against Israelis. Yet on October 10 he was quick to deny any responsibility for this massacre, for fear of incurring international criticism, and instead hid behind the Palestinian resistance and the Palestinians, of which he is "proud."
But while Khamenei denies Iran's responsibility for Hamas' acts of carnage, articles published by the mouthpieces of his regime have exposed the close ties that prevailed between slain Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani and the leaders of the Islamic resistance organizations that Iran has built, and the guidelines and five-year plan Soleimani formulated with these commanders, as they themselves now admit. The regime's mouthpiece Kayhan claims that Hamas' murderous attack on Israel was based on a plan drawn up by Soleimani in January 2020. "Today it emerges that [Soleimani's] powers of planning and operational strategy were boundless," writes Kayhan, because on January 2, 2020, just one day before he was assassinated, Soleimani outlined "the future plan for the resistance factions and the way they would interact with one another," and dictated to the leaders of the resistance organizations "the charter for the next five years." Kayhan adds proudly that "the unity of the resistance factions based on this five-year charter is the fruit of Soleimani's martyrdom and part of the resistance factions' harsh revenge."
The daily also claims that Khamenei himself hinted at the great victory already in August 2022, and in August 2023 he heralded the upcoming operation, which clearly indicates that he was aware of the Iranian plans to carry out this massacre. Kayhan states: "The significance is that, last year, the Leader [Khamenei] gave 'the promise of the imminent conquest,' and this year he gave 'the announcement of the complete conquest,' and Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is part of this imminent conquest. This promise and announcement, along with the clarity and power of [Khamenei's] statements and positions in his meeting [with leaders and ambassadors of Islamic countries] on the occasion of the Prophet [Muhammad's] birthday, have profound significance and content."[2]
Further evidence of direct Iranian involvement in the planning the attack on Israel, specifically in planning an attack from the north as well as the south, are reports by Arab sources that IRGC forces in the Deir Al-Zor area in Syria are preparing to redeploy in the Quneitra region on Syria's border with Israel.
Iran is now aiding Hamas in the crucial area of influencing global public opinion. The Iranian regime's mouthpieces justify Hamas' war crimes, massacres and atrocities against Israelis as a response to "the crimes of the occupation," to alleged acts of murdering and torturing Palestinian children "in order to prevent them from joining [Iran's] resistance axis" and to Israel's alleged aggression against Al-Aqsa.
This report focuses on Iran's behind-the-scenes ties to Hamas, which is part of its resistance axis.
Regime Mouthpiece Kayhan: In His Last Meeting With Resistance Commanders, Qods Force Commander Soleimani "Outlined The Future Plan For The Resistance Factions And The Way They Would Interact With One Another… The Unity Of The Resistance Factions Based On This Five-Year Charter Is The Fruit Of Soleimani's Martyrdom And Part Of The Resistance Factions' Harsh Revenge "; "All The Zionists Who Live In Occupied Palestine Are Armed Usurpers. Even Their Children Are Trained From A Very Young Age… To Terrorize The Palestinian People… Israel Is One Big [Military] Base. Anyone Living In This Base Is Not A Civilian But A Soldier. In Israel There Is No Such Thing As Civilians"
In an October 10, 2023 article titled "[Operation] Al-Aqsa Flood Is the Beginning Of The End Of [Israel's] 75-Year Occupation," the Iranian regime mouthpiece Kayhan stated that a plan for Israel's destruction, formulated and organized by Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani and dictated by him to the commanders of the resistance organizations just before his assassination by the U.S. in January 2020, has begun to be implemented. Kayhan in fact clarified that Khamenei was party to the plan and hinted twice that a great victory was on the horizon. The following is a translation of the article:
"We said in the past that the stories about the martyr [Soleimani] transcend time and place, but today it emerges that his powers of planning and operational strategy were boundless. In the last meeting he held before he was martyred, Soleimani spent [seven hours], from 8:00 until 15:00, outlining the future plan for all the resistance factions and the way they would interact with one another. What the resistance factions found unusual in that meeting was that Hajj Qassem [Soleimani] stressed that everybody had to write down [what he said]. 'Write down what I say, [he insisted]. I am outlining the charter for the next five years!' The unity of the resistance factions based on this five-year charter is the fruit of Soleimani's martyrdom and part of the resistance factions' harsh revenge.
"Certain symbols and slogans in ceremonies attended by leaders and heads of state covey important messages and show that there are developments behind the scenes. In August 2022, the verse 'victory from Allah and an imminent conquest' [Quran 61:13] was hung on the wall of the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya [Shi'ite religious center], and in August 2023 the verse 'Truly, We granted you a manifest victory' [Quran 48:1] was hung on the same wall. The significance is that, last year, the Leader [Khamenei] gave 'the promise of the imminent conquest,' and this year he gave 'the announcement of the complete conquest,' and Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is part of this imminent conquest. This promise and announcement, along with the clarity and power of [Khamenei's] statements and positions in this meeting [with leaders and ambassadors of Islamic countries] on the occasion of the Prophet [Muhammad's] birthday, have profound significance and content, which strategists and analysts in the region and the world will take seriously.
"Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which is unprecedented since the Six Day war and the 1973 war, is important in many ways. On the one hand, it evidently did not resemble the conflicts and wars of the past and gave Israel a historic shock. On the other hand, each [aspect of it] will need to be analyzed separately in the future, but for now we will address some of them, that will be disected by analysts and strategists in the region and the world , including by think tanks of the Pentagon, the CIA and the U.S. State Department, for months and maybe years!
"First, this operation was unique in terms of the powerful planning and coordination between [Iran's] resistance factions, [for] it was carried out in 30 minutes in an occupied area three times larger than the Gaza Strip [itself], so that, for several hours, all the countries and politicians [in the world] could do nothing but watch the events in silence. Hours later, reactions came from all over the world, which showed that the Zionist regime has no defense strategy whereas the resistance groups have a powerful offensive strategy.
"Second, this operation is important in terms of the resistance factions' intelligence superiority and the intelligence weakness of the Zionist regime and all the American and Western intelligence agencies. It is a shameful failure for the Mossad, the Israel Security Agency, the CIA, MI6, etc. So much so that Israel's defense minister admitted, after the [Israeli] cabinet's security meeting in Tel Aviv, that [Israel had been] surprised, and they were not even able to coordinate with their media how to cover the news and censor it. So, in the early hours and the first day [of the operation], the Western and Hebrew media, which admitted to being surprised, could do nothing but provide live coverage of the heavy fatalities, without any [other] specific news.
"Even the Zionist media was compelled to report that the number of people killed, wounded and captured was rising from moment to moment, which was itself an informational victory in terms of the coverage of the resistance factions' successful operation. According to the Zionist expert on Iran International, all [the aspects of the operation] surprised them. 'We were all surprised and were in a horrible state!' The same conclusion was drawn by the Zionist generals, of course, who admitted that 'we are nearing the terrible scenario of a war on multiple fronts'! But they were unable to comprehend the time-frame, location and manner [of the operation], and that is why Operation Al-Aqsa Flood was beyond anything they could have imagined…
"Third, this operation was unprecedented in terms of the scope of the fire, the rocket attacks, the range and the combination of ground, air and maritime [forces], and in terms of the cyber and electronic warfare and infiltration. So much so that the images circulated – of resistance factions penetrating the Israeli localities through the border tunnel, of the ongoing presence of some resistance fighters wearing uniforms of the Zionist army within the Zionist settlements, and of the severe losses and damage – sowed fear and terror among the Zionists.
"The takeover of some part of the occupied territories [i.e., Israel] and of some Zionist towns and villages, the fighting on the ground in the streets of Israel, etc., broke the taboo around [the possibility of] liberating Jerusalem and showed that the Zionist regime is very porous and vulnerable despite the claims and the impression created around the Iron Dome [missile defense system]. The liberation of Palestine is not a myth or a slogan, but can actually be achieved…
"Fourth, [the operation] has political aspects and many powerful strategic implications for all the developments in the region and the world, including 'the consolidation and cementing of the power balance' in favor of the resistance axis, the instances of 'normalization,' 'the expansion of relations among regional countries,' 'the acceleration of multilateralism,' 'the decline and weakening of America's hegemony' in the world and especially in the region, the 'American elections,' 'the developments, tension and disputes within Israel,' 'the developments in the Caucasus,' the countries that were deceived by Israel and regarded this regime as an ally, and even 'the nuclear talks and the nuclear agreement,' although the spokesperson of the U.S. State Department claimed that 'this has nothing to do with the attack on Israel.'
"The analysis of these implications requires time. This operation was so surprising, quick and large-scale, and had such unexpected implications for the West, that it immediately impacted Europe. All the international flights to Tel Aviv were cancelled, and America and the countries of Europe expressed great concern and announced the 'tightening of security measures' in those countries.
"Fifth, [the operation] exposed 'the [danger of] betting on normalization,' 'the lesson [to be drawn from] betting on the losing horse [Israel],' and indicated 'how soon' the Zionist regime will be gone. It showed that the Zionists experienced 'certain death' within half an hour!
"Sixth, in addition to the traditional and consistent support extended by the White House, Europe and the UN Secretary-General to the child-murdering Zionist regime, and although they purport to [defend] human rights, [America and its allies] have kept silent about the Zionists' brutal attacks on the Palestinian people for over 70 years. [But] today various countries, nations and groups in the region and the world, and especially some regional countries that [until now] kept silent due to the threats and enticements of the Zionist regime and America, have expressed significant support for this operation…
"Seventh, the resistance groups announced that 'what we wanted was for the enemy and its settlers to leave our land peacefully. This did not happen, so war is the only option.' All the Zionists living in occupied Palestine are armed usurpers. Even their children are trained from a very young age in training camps to terrorize the Palestinian people, and are tools for creating a fake government and for occupying the Palestinian land. Israel is one big [military] base, so anyone living in this base is not a civilian but a soldier. In Israel there is no such thing as civilians!"
"Eighth, in addition to the dimensions and scope [of the operation], the message of the commander of Hamas' military wing indicates that the resistance was not looking for a short operation of several hours, but seeks to deliver a powerful blow to the Zionist regime in [this] new round. The fact that the martyr Soleimani set out the charter of the resistance groups for five years was certainly wise!
"As the American host on Manoto TV admitted, [current Qods Force commander Esmail] Qaani warned the Israelis to sell their homes and leave! Therefore, we must continue to expect promising events and even greater victories! This is especially in light of the extermination of some 750 [Zionists] and the capture of hundreds of Zionists, who can be a good source of information for future operations and a useful means of liberating Palestinian prisoners! The spokesman of Hamas' military wing informed [the Israelis] that 'the number of prisoners is several times larger than you think, and you should wait and count your soldiers properly!'"
Report On An Intention To Transfer Iranian IRGC Forces From Syria's Deir Al-Zour To Quneitra On The Isael-Syria Border
According to an "exclusive" report on the Deirezzor24 Telegram channel, which covers the Deir Al-Zour region in northeastern Syria, the IRGC Command in Deir Al-Zour Governorate informed several of its senior officials that it intends to dispatch several IRGC members to Quneitra Governorate. The channel noted that, during the recent fighting between Gaza and Israel, IRGC commanders received direct orders from Iran to transfer some of their members from Deir Al-Zour to Quneitra. It also stated that, since the Israeli attack on the Deir Al-Zour Governorate “ten days ago,” and the recent events in the region of the Gaza Strip, the Iran-backed militias in Deir Al-Zour have been on alert.[3]
It should be noted that, since the start of the fighting, various Iran-backed Shi'ite groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Bahrain have vowed to support Hamas and the Palestinian factions which have joined the fighting against Israel, and have even expressed willingness to take an active part in the fighting.
[1] Early on Saturday morning (October 7, 2023), Hamas launched a well-organized coordinated surprise attack from the ground, sea and air on localities in a large area of southern Israel, while also firing thousands of rockets into Israeli cities in the south and the center, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as a diversion. As of this writing, over 1,300 Israelis have been killed, about 160 Israelis, including women, children, infants and elderly people as well as soldiers, have been taken hostage and thousands have been wounded.
[2] Kayhan (Iran), October 10, 2023.
[3] Deirezzor24.net, October 9, 2023.
https://www.memri.org/reports/iranian-regime-mouthpiece-kayhan-iran-mind-and-hands-behind-hamas-operation-al-aqsa-flood

Netanyahu And Qatar Would Share Responsibility For An Imminent Regional War
Yigal Carmon/MEMRI/October 12, 2023
Qatar | MEMRI Daily Brief No. 532
For over a decade, Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu collaborated with the emirate of evil, Qatar, in pushing $1.5 billion dollars to Hamas in Gaza – enabling it to build an army 30,000 strong and its massive missile arsenal, and equip itself with a variety of other weapons and munitions sufficient for a prolonged war. These funds also enabled Hamas to build an underground city with dozens of kilometers of tunnels and command and battle posts, with a hi-tech early warning system.
Contrary to the stupid conspiracy stories that are emerging, Netanyahu had no clue as to what he was doing, and the funneling of funds to Hamas was a reckless move to buy quiet – but he never bought quiet, and he sold out our lives. It was bound to bring Hamas's Einsatzgruppen attack on Israel on October 7.
Netanyahu is to blame, as much as the Aal Thani family that rules Qatar.
What is Qatar? People, journalists, academics, politicians, officials in governments have no clue about this entity of evil, which has enabled the outbreak of war against Israel – a war that threatens the entire region and may spread even further.
Before explaining what this emirate of evil is doing to develop Islamist movements in the Arab world and in the West, weakening secular movements, first let me explain the role of Qatar's ally.
Iran, who just a few weeks ago got $6 billion dollars from the United States, built the military capabilities of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. They trained them, built for them the plan and supported its execution (see MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 10857, Iranian Regime Mouthpiece Kayhan: Iran Is The Mind And Hands Behind Hamas; Operation 'Al-Aqsa Flood' Was Planned, Orchestrated By Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani Before He Was Killed; Khamenei Hinted In August 2022, August 2023 At 'The Complete Conquest' Of Israel,' October 12, 2023).
But the major logistical, political, and ideological ally of Hamas was Qatar. Let us focus on the role played by Qatar and Aal Thani over many years, which remained largely hidden. Qatar is responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
The Aal Thani family hid 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in Doha. As Richard Clarke, counterterrorism advisor to Presidents Clinton and H.W. Bush, wrote, "Had the Qataris handed [KSM] over to us as requested in 1996, the world might have been a very different place." As of this writing, Qatar finances terrorists who live in Doha, according to David Cohen, former U.S. Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, and according to the records of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).
Qatar also supports ISIS, and the Al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front. Lawsuits are underway against Qatar's financing of terrorism across Europe and in the U.S.
The case of the Taliban is a typical example allowing an understanding of the U.S. position – Republican and Democrat, Trump and Biden alike. For many years, Qatar supported and sustained the Taliban, all the way up to its bloody takeover of Kabul; this caused the deaths of many American soldiers over the years, including on the final day.
Neither American administrations had any clue – and the current administration surpassed all reason when it called Qatar the most important non-NATO ally.
While Iran provided Hamas with military support, Qatar supplied the funding and political support. Hamas under de facto control of Qatar and therefore the Qatari leadership should be indicted and tried in a Nuremberg-like judicial process.
The government of Israel should declare Qatar an enemy state due to their backing of Hamas's attack.
Qatar operates a Goebbels-like propaganda machine: Al-Jazeera TV. It is not really a news channel. The war began with a declaration of war read by the commander of Hamas, and it aired on Al-Jazeera on the morning of Saturday, October 7, 2023. Since then, the channel has been reporting all of Hamas's messages about the war, and repeating the speeches of Hamas spokesman Abu Ubayda. It fully justifies the horrific slaughter of October 7, just as it did with Osama bin Laden's speeches before and after 9/11.
Al-Jazeera correspondents roam around Israel reporting on Israeli military activities and movements, and the locations of forces – straight to Hamas operatives. They should be arrested and tried as spies by Israel's judicial system. That day will come soon.
I will personally testify to the nature of their broadcasts, showing, on the basis of recorded videos, that they acted as a Goebbels' propaganda operation and spies.
No one in their right mind could see their work as ordinary, legitimate, media reporting. In the U.S., Al-Jazeera was forced to register as a foreign agent – and brazenly ignored the order.
Every day that Al-Jazeera continues to broadcast is the equivalent of a Hamas force in action. Israel's clueless government, which did not heed my August 31 early warning of a war in September or October, continues its collaboration with Qatar by enabling Al-Jazeera to continue working for Hamas.
It is ironic that Netanyahu sometimes views himself as Winston Churchill. But would Churchill have allow Goebbels' radio to keep broadcasting from London during World War II? What a tragic joke.
One of the few media that have grasped Qatar's evil role – alas, due to a historical perspective – are the German outlets Bild and Die Welt. Bild titled its article on the Qatari Emir's October 12 visit with German Chancellor: "Scholz welcomes top sponsor of terror." Even in Israel there are no such headlines.
One would hope that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will stand up against the new Nazis. He does, as does President Biden, to the surprise and admiration of all of Israel and many among the Jewish people. However, both the Secretary and the President still see Qatar – the source of evil – as an ally. Will they ever wake up?
*Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI.

Hamas and Iran: Slaughtering Jews for Decades
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute./October 12, 2023
The indifference has reached a point where some Western media outlets and officials continue to label Hamas terrorists as "militants." The October 7 carnage, during which Jewish women, children and the elderly were brutally murdered, shows that there is effectively no difference between Hamas and the Islamic State (ISIS).
In 2017, Western media outlets published stories arguing that Hamas has recognized Israel's right to exist by accepting the "two-state solution." The only problem is, it was not true.
Many in the international media, however, failed to report that the new program also states that "Hamas believes that no part of the land of Palestine shall be compromised or conceded, irrespective of the causes, the circumstances and the pressures and no matter how long the occupation lasts. Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea."
In its charter, Hamas makes it clear that it remains faithful to the words of the prophet Mohammed, who was quoted as saying: "The Day of Judgement will not come until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O' Muslims, O Abdullah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him." (Article 7)
Article 13 of the charter emphasizes the importance of Jihad: "There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals, and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."
Notably, the new Hamas program did not replace its 1988 charter. In fact, the program repeated Hamas's commitment to the destruction of Israel through Jihad, but pointed out that since this goal cannot be achieved under the current circumstances, the group is ready to accept a temporary state on any land it obtains as a first stage toward the annihilation of Israel. Hamas, in short, is saying: We will take whatever you (Israel) give us now – starting with a Palestinian state – and we will use this to slaughter you.
Hamas launched its attack on Israel because it does not see a difference between a Jew living in a West Bank settlement and a Jew living in a city inside Israel.
For Hamas and its followers, all Jews are "settlers" and "colonialists," regardless of their geographical location. Hamas launched the attack as part of its effort to slaughter Jews and obliterate Israel.
It is time for the international community to wake up and realize that Iran and its Palestinian proxy terrorists are as determined as ever to wipe Israel -- and America -- off the map.
Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, Khaled Mashaal, Saleh Arouri, and Khalil al-Hayya, living safely in five-star hotels in Qatar and Lebanon, actually invited reporters to document them during the special prayer they held to thank God for the massacre of Jews. These bogus leaders also evidently do not give a damn about the thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who have lost their lives, homes and loved-ones as a result of Hamas's thirst for Jewish blood.
Those who continue to defend Iran and Hamas are complicit in their campaign of genocide against Jews. Pictured: A senior Hamas delegation, headed by military leader Saleh Arouri, visited Iran and met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 22, 2019. Arouri was quoted as saying that the "Palestinian resistance and Iran are in one front in facing Israel." Khamenei was quoted as expressing satisfaction over the "progress" the Palestinians have made in the past few years: "while the Palestinians used to fight [Israel] with rocks, today they possess precise rockets." (Image source: khamenei.ir)
Hamas's October 7 war on Israel did not surprise those who have been following the actions of Iran and its regime-backed Islamist terror group since it was founded in late 1987.
Since then, Hamas, with Iran's help -- Hamas does not have a productive economy in Gaza -- has carried out countless terrorist attacks, killing and wounding thousands of Jews by suicide bombings, shootings, stabbings and car-rammings, as well by firing tens of thousands of rockets into Israel, a country the size of New Jersey (roughly 22,000 km2).
In 2002, Hamas committed one of its deadliest massacres during the Jewish holiday of Passover in the Israeli city of Netanya. Thirty civilians were murdered and 140 wounded when a Hamas terrorist, disguised as a woman, detonated a suitcase filled with powerful explosives in the dining room of a hotel where Jews were celebrating the Passover holiday. Most of the victims were senior citizens (70 and over). The oldest victim was 90 and the youngest, 20.
Over the past three decades, Hamas officials never concealed their group's ambition to destroy Israel through Jihad (holy war). Hardly a day has passed without another Hamas statement concerning the need to "liberate all Palestine" (meaning destroy Israel).
Days before the latest Hamas attack on Israel, the terrorist group called on all Arabs and Muslims to "continue the legitimate struggle in all forms" until Israel is defeated and expelled from "our historical land."
The statements by Hamas officials and leaders over the past three decades were not empty threats. They were backed by literally thousands of terrorist attacks against Israel. Sadly, many in the international community chose to look the other way as Hamas continued its threats and terrorist attacks.
The indifference has reached a point where some Western media outlets and officials continue to label Hamas terrorists as "militants." The October 7 carnage, during which Jewish women, children and the elderly were brutally murdered, shows that there is effectively no difference between Hamas and the Islamic State (ISIS).
The Hamas terrorists who invaded Israel used the very tactics employed by ISIS in Syria and Iraq: Burning people alive, raping women, beheading civilians, and abducting women (including an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor on a wheelchair) and children.
Why, then, are Hamas terrorists labeled "militants" while ISIS members are called "terrorists"?
It is because of the identity of the victim. When the victim is a Jew, then the perpetrator is a "militant." Yet when the victim is a non-Jew, the Muslim extremist is called for what he really is: a terrorist.
Attempts by some Westerners to whitewash Hamas and portray it as a small group of fighters challenging Israel, one of the most powerful countries in the Middle East, have continued in spite of the atrocities committed by the group over the past 35 years. Bizarrely, the attempts have continued even while Hamas leaders themselves were stressing that their group has not changed and remains committed to slaughtering Jews and eliminating Israel.
In 2017, Western media outlets published stories arguing that Hamas has recognized Israel's right to exist by accepting the "two-state solution." The only problem is, it was not true.
The argument was based on a political program announced by Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal at a press conference in Doha, Qatar.
The British newspaper The Guardian then claimed that Hamas, in its new program, had made "the biggest concessions" by agreeing to the establishment of a Palestinian state next to Israel.
The paper quoted a part of the program that says:
"[Hamas] considers the establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital along the lines of June 4, 1967, with the return of the refugees and the displaced to their homes from which they were expelled, to be a formula of national consensus."
Many in the international media, however, failed to report that the new program also states that:
"Hamas believes that no part of the land of Palestine shall be compromised or conceded, irrespective of the causes, the circumstances and the pressures and no matter how long the occupation lasts. Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea."
Other sections of the political program, falsely presented by some media outlets as a sign of Hamas's purported moderation and pragmatism, actually reaffirmed the group's original charter, published in 1988.
The 2017 program includes these statements:
"The establishment of Israel is entirely illegal"
"There shall be no recognition of the legitimacy of the Zionist entity"
"Resistance and Jihad (holy war) for the liberation of Palestine will remain a legitimate right, a duty and an honor for all the sons and daughters or our people and our Ummah (Muslim community)."
The 1988 Hamas charter states that "our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious." It quotes Hassan al-Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood (of which Hamas is an offshoot), as saying: "Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."
In its charter, Hamas makes it clear that it remains faithful to the words of the prophet Mohammed, who was quoted as saying:
"The Day of Judgement will not come until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O' Muslims, O Abdullah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him." (Article 7)
Article 13 of the charter emphasizes the importance of Jihad:
"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals, and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."
Hamas says in the charter that "the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Muslim generations until Judgement Day" (Article 11) and "the Jihad for the liberation of Palestinian is an individual duty of every Muslim" (Article 15).
Notably, the new Hamas program did not replace its 1988 charter. In fact, the program repeated Hamas's commitment to the destruction of Israel through Jihad, but pointed out that since this goal cannot be achieved under the current circumstances, the group is ready to accept a temporary state on any land it obtains as a first stage toward the annihilation of Israel. Hamas, in short, is saying: We will take whatever you (Israel) give us now – starting with a Palestinian state – and we will use this to slaughter you.
Additionally, no senior Hamas official has ever gone on the record to announce the revocation of the charter, which calls for the elimination of Israel and replacing it with an Islamic state. On the contrary; Hamas representatives have gone to some length to let it be known that they have not abandoned their desire to kill Jews and destroy Israel.
Days after the political program was announced, Hamas's envoy to Iran, Khaled al-Qaddoumi, asserted that there was no change in his group's attitude toward Israel. The program, al-Qaddoumi said, does not include any recognition of the "Zionist entity," adding:
"The Palestine that we believe in and want is every inch of the historical land of Palestine, from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea. Therefore, this [program] is an affirmation of the principles of Hamas, that it wants everything."
Mahmoud al-Zahar, another Hamas leader, also emphasized that the new political program does not mean that his group has changed its position toward Israel:
"Most importantly, we did not recognize the Israeli entity. Our acceptance to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders does not mean that we recognize the [Israeli] enemy or give up Palestine."
Hamas did not carry out the October 7 massacre because Jews were living in settlements in the West Bank or Gaza Strip. The Jews who were butchered on that day lived inside Israel, near the border with the Gaza Strip. Israel, it should be noted, withdrew from the entire Gaza Strip in 2005.
Hamas launched its attack on Israel because it does not see a difference between a Jew living in a West Bank settlement and a Jew living in a city inside Israel.
For Hamas and its followers, all Jews are "settlers" and "colonialists," regardless of their geographical location. Hamas launched the attack as part of its effort to slaughter Jews and obliterate Israel.
To be fair, both the present Iranian regime and Hamas have made their intentions clear. Iran, since its 1979 Islamic revolution, has vowed "Death to Israel" and "Death to America." Why would anyone think they do not mean it? Hamas has boasted of its intention to commit atrocities against Jews. These two regimes have not changed and will never change. It is time for the international community to wake up and realize that Iran and its Palestinian proxy terrorists are as determined as ever to wipe Israel -- and America -- off the map.
Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, Khaled Mashaal, Saleh Arouri, and Khalil al-Hayya, living safely in five-star hotels in Qatar and Lebanon, actually invited reporters to document them during the special prayer they held to thank God for the massacre of Jews. These bogus leaders also evidently do not give a damn about the thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who have lost their lives, homes and loved-ones as a result of Hamas's thirst for Jewish blood.
Those who continue to defend Iran and Hamas are complicit in their campaign of genocide against Jews. Such a defense is an outrage not only to the Jews, but also to the many Palestinians who being used as human shields and cannon fodder to satisfy the blood-lust of Hamas leaders and allow them to maintain their residences in the five-star hotels of Qatar, Turkey and Lebanon. It is also an outrage to the millions of Iranians being held as virtual prisoners in their own country, while their leaders sit comfortable and untouched, watching everyone else pick each other off, while they collect more than $60 billion from violating US sanctions -- as the Biden administration looked the other way -- that enabled them to prosecute this war.
*Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.
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How Biden miscalculated on Iran
Rick Newman/Yahoo Finance/October 12, 2023
What the Gaza conflict could mean for U.S. relationship with IranScroll back up to restore default view.
Joe Biden hoped a nettlesome Iran might be one problem he could escape during his first presidential term. Iran showed signs of settling down, and there were plenty of more pressing issues: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s growing bellicosity, plus global energy shortfalls pushing US gasoline prices up and denting Biden’s popularity.
Biden guessed wrong. As the devastating Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel demonstrates, Iran remains a virulent and murderous presence in the Middle East. The level of Iran’s direct involvement in the attack remains unclear, but Iran is the Hamas group’s primary backer and strategic overlord. “It is inconceivable that Hamas undertook an attack of this magnitude and complexity without some foreknowledge and affirmative support from Iran’s leadership,” Suzanne Maloney, director of the Brookings Institution’s foreign policy program, wrote in Foreign Affairs on Oct. 10.
Iran and the escalating war between Israel, Hamas, and perhaps other Palestinian groups will now dominate the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Biden first has to answer critics who say he went soft on Iran and indirectly enabled the Hamas attack. There could also be new upward pressure on oil prices as the United States faces inevitable calls to reverse recent engagement efforts with Iran — the world’s seventh-largest oil producer — and apply maximum sanctions. And Iran’s willingness to ignite a new Middle East war will now draw attention away from other Biden priorities and suck more US resources into a region Biden was trying to pivot away from.
Trumpers and other Biden critics should can any schadenfreude. Iran has bedeviled nearly every US president since its Islamic Revolution in 1979, and anybody peddling simple-sounding ways to contain the so-called Islamist republic is playing video games, not practicing geopolitics. Bombing or invading Iran would produce a horrifying conflagration. Aggressive sanctions always disappoint. Trying to foment a coup would be folly.
The short history of the current standoff with Iran dates to 2002, when it became publicly known that Iran was developing a nuclear weapons program. A variety of US and international sanctions followed, many of them focused on punishing Iran by curtailing oil exports and the development of Iran’s oil deposits, which are the third largest in the world.
President Barack Obama led a 2015 US-European deal that eased some sanctions on Iran in exchange for agreements to limit its nuclear weapons development. Spoiler alert: The deal wasn’t perfect, and there were legitimate concerns Iran might cheat. Yet the Iranians did seem cowed by years of withering sanctions and willing to let international inspectors monitor their weapons development as a result.
President Trump, opposed to basically everything Obama did, revoked US involvement in the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, while reimposing many of the sanctions Obama eased. Iran adopted a "resistance economy" meant to find ways around US sanctions, and resumed work on its nuclear program. Experts now think Iran has enough bomb-grade nuclear material to assemble a nuke within a couple of weeks if it chooses to do so. Trump’s contention that tougher sanctions would disrupt Iran’s nuclear program was wrong.
When Biden took office in 2021, he tried to restart the Obama-era nuclear deal. But the genie was out of the bottle and it didn’t work. After Russia invaded Ukraine early in 2022, the Biden team undertook some sly diplomacy with Iran. “The Biden administration has been engaged in implementing a series of understandings with Tehran to keep the Iran file off the president’s desk ahead of his campaign for reelection,” Joseph Brodsky of the Atlantic Council wrote on Oct. 10.
Iran, under this arrangement, would do its part by discouraging its various proxy militias from attacking US troops in Syria and Iraq. It would also slow-roll its nuclear program, a bit. The United States, in return, would overlook some Iranian oil sales, otherwise subject to sanctions, which would have the added benefit of increasing global supplies and tamping down oil and gasoline prices.
Iran’s September release of five US hostages seemed to signal that a thaw was in place. The United States agreed to return $6 billion in Iranian oil revenue held as a sanctions enforcement mechanism, drawing criticism that the United States was merely paying ransom. Another way of looking at it: Five Americans who could have rotted in Iranian prisons for the rest of their lives came home.
The Biden administration seemed to think its rapprochement with Iran was working. On Sept. 29, national security adviser Jake Sullivan uttered these soon-to-be-infamous words: “The Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades.” His examples: a truce in Yemen’s civil war, a relatively stable Iraq, a suspension of Iranian attacks on US forces in the Middle East.
The United States has also been trying to broker an unprecedented agreement to establish normal relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel for the first time ever. The US would provide new security guarantees to Saudi Arabia, as a bulwark against China’s growing interest in the region. But a better balance of power between the two former rivals would let Washington downsize the outsized portion of American resources and attention normally devoted to the Middle East. In “Foreign Affairs,” Maloney called this Biden’s Middle East “exit strategy.”
Hamas, aided by Iran, has now sealed the exits by perpetrating the worst civilian killing of Jews since the Holocaust. Israel has vowed a searing campaign to root Hamas from its home turf in the Gaza Strip, which could entail weeks or months of grueling urban combat and an incomplete solution at best. Other Iran-backed factions, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, could attack Israel, or vice versa. And the United States is once again subverting other global priorities to a Middle East in flames.
Iran, it turns out, had no interest quieting the region. It views Israel as a mortal enemy and Saudi Arabia as a nemesis, and a tie-up between the two would have left Iran with less leverage. Whatever role it had in the Hamas attack, Iran would benefit from the delay or demise of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which now seems gravely threatened.
Iran has been building ties with China, the world’s biggest oil importer, and may feel it can sell all the oil it needs no matter how strict Western sanctions are. And its new status as an arms merchant to Russia, which is using Iranian drones to bombard Ukrainian cities, may give the ruling ayatollahs a new kind of status that replaces any old ambitions about making nice with the West.
Biden now faces a whole new geopolitical problem set. His most important priority may now be preventing the Israel-Hamas war from escalating into a wider regional conflict, especially one that might directly involve Iranian and US armed forces. Armchair generals who talk tough about bombing Iran, or worse, invading, don’t usually mention that oil prices would probably rocket to the highest levels ever, and a miserable recession would ensue.
The Iranians know how sensitive American voters are to gasoline prices and they also know that a well-timed threat to interrupt Persian Gulf oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — like, say, next August, two months before the US election — would send oil prices soaring and be a nightmare scenario for Biden.
Biden has taken one quick step. On Oct. 12, the US moved to block Iran's access to the $6 billion in Iranian oil money provided for the five hostages in September. That could be permanent, or the US and Qatar, which is holding the money, could dole it out on a case-by-case basis for projects they can confirm to be humanitarian. Biden also will probably have no choice but to tighten up on all possible sanctions and seek others. The US will probably beseech Saudi Arabia to produce more oil as an offset to any Iranian oil that will come off the market.
Biden, who portrays himself as the most seasoned politician in Washington, might handle all of this adroitly and earn high marks for statesmanship. But the Middle East is notorious for presenting Western leaders with bad choices and lousy outcomes they can’t control.
Jake Sullivan did issue one caveat when he talked about a quieter Middle East: He said Iranian attacks against US troops have stopped “for now,” and then elaborated: “I emphasize ‘for now’ because all of that can change.” Eight days later, all of that did change, and with it, the Biden presidency.
*Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman.

U.S. Wartime Support to Israel: First Steps and Future Considerations
Grant Rumley/The Washington Institute/October 12/2023
The Biden administration views its defense support to Israel as sufficient at the current level of hostilities, but that may change as the war progresses and, potentially, expands.
In the beginning stages of Israel’s war against Hamas, the United States has focused its defense support on two lines of effort: security assistance and direct military support. Both are based on two assumptions. The first is that Washington will be able to support Israel with military supplies while continuing to provide support to Ukraine and sustain U.S. forces worldwide. In a background briefing on October 9, a senior U.S. defense official reiterated that the United States is able to support Ukraine and Israel while still maintaining “global readiness.” The second assumption is that the United States will not become a direct combatant in this conflict. As John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, stated on October 9, the United States has “no intention to put boots on the ground.” At first glance, these assumptions appear to be valid so long as the conflict remains limited to Gaza, but they are sure to be tested if others join the fight.
Israel’s requests for security assistance at the moment are straightforward: it is reportedly seeking interceptors for the Iron Dome air defense system, precision-guided munitions, ammunition rounds, and intelligence-sharing on other regional threats. These requests are proactive and are likely being made in anticipation of a protracted conflict that strains Israeli stockpiles. The United States started fulfilling some of these requests right away: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted on October 10 that some interceptors had already been delivered. U.S. officials have stated that they believe they have enough authorities through the current memorandum of understanding with Israel to fulfill some of these requests in the near term without seeking additional authorities from Congress. One senior defense official noted that this includes “looking at what was already on the books” in terms of Israeli arms purchases and “working to accelerate that.” This week, Boeing reportedly began accelerating the delivery of a thousand small-diameter bombs to Israel, which were part of a direct commercial sale in 2021.
In the longer term, other officials have sounded a cautious tone on Washington’s ability to supply both Ukraine and Israel under current authorities: the secretary of the army warned over the weekend that supplying the two countries “simultaneously” would require additional funding in order to “increase our capacity to expand production and then also pay for the munitions themselves.” White House officials are reportedly planning to request additional funding authorities from Congress as early as next week, potentially by linking the request to support for Ukraine, Taiwan, and border funding.
In terms of direct military support, the administration moved quickly in repositioning the USS Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) from the western Mediterranean closer to Israel’s waters. The Ford is the newest and most advanced U.S. aircraft carrier and the largest in the world. The CSG entered the Mediterranean in June and includes one Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser and four Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. It is capable of conducting a wide range of operations, from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions to maritime dominance, long-range precision strikes, and, perhaps most important, missile defense.
The Pentagon also announced plans to augment its fighter jet presence in the region, which includes a contingent of F-35s. This would mean reintroducing the advanced fifth-generation fighter to the region after the previous deployment of F-35s—sent to deter Russian aggression in Syria and Iranian behavior in the Gulf—was rotated back home last week. In addition, the CSG will likely add a layer of air defense and radar coverage to Israel’s network while providing another level of intelligence awareness to Israel’s other fronts.
The Navy is also sending a second CSG to the Mediterranean that would be nearby “if needed,” per Kirby. More broadly, the CSG’s presence is intended to deter other Iran-aligned groups from entering the conflict. As one senior defense official noted, the increased presence should cause adversaries to “think twice” about entering the fray.
Considerations for Future U.S. Support
At the current level of hostilities, the administration appears comfortable with the level of defense support. President Biden confirmed on October 10 that American hostages are being held in Gaza, and noted the previous day that he had directed his team to “work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts.” In addition, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly instructed special operations hostage rescue teams to “lean forward” in supporting Israel and its efforts to free hostages, primarily through planning and intelligence efforts. However, nested in these efforts is a desire to keep the U.S. role limited to consultation.
So long as the war is contained to Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Washington is highly likely to remain in this role. Were the conflict to expand, however, with other Iran-aligned actors like Hezbollah joining in, the Biden administration would have to examine potential military involvement through three lenses. The first is how the administration assesses Israel’s ability to deal with a multifront war on its own. This would include Israel’s assessments of its own capabilities as well, and whether Jerusalem would request more direct U.S. involvement. The second is whether U.S. forces or civilians currently in the region are under threat or have already been engaged in hostilities. And the third is whether Biden faces significant public pressure to intervene militarily. Short of becoming a direct participant, however, the United States can consider other ways to deter additional actors from becoming involved. This could include creative shows of force by U.S. assets in the region, such as demonstrating the CSG’s capabilities through drills (either independently or with partner forces) and exercising simulated missions off the coast of Lebanon to send an additional deterrent message to Hezbollah and Iran.
The war’s duration and potential horizontal expansion will also influence Washington’s ability to continue supplying Israel. Currently, U.S. officials are adamant that stockpiles are adequate to support both Ukraine and Israel. This is partly because much of what the United States has supplied to Ukraine so far (artillery platforms and associated rounds) does not significantly overlap with what Israel has requested (Iron Dome interceptors and air-launched precision-guided munitions). If that changes, the strain on the U.S. global stockpile could increase. There is already speculation about the status of the stockpile of U.S. weaponry in Israel—the War Reserve Stockpile Ammunition-Israel—which the United States tapped this January to forward supplies to Ukraine (it also pulled from a similar stockpile in South Korea). Defense officials have noted that industry is ramping up production to replenish these stockpiles and other capabilities, but this is still a work in progress. In any protracted conflict, the United States would likely need additional congressional funding not only to supply Israel with existing platforms, but to ramp up domestic production lines.
Conclusion
The attack on Israel and subsequent war in Gaza is another test of the U.S. desire to shift attention to China and Russia in an era of great power competition. The Middle East has been the epicenter of the U.S. shift in focus militarily: the footprint of U.S. forces in the region has shrunk in recent years, from around 90,000 in 2020 to around 34,000 in 2023, as Washington has moved resources to focus on other theaters. Additionally, the Ukraine war has depleted U.S. stockpiles of certain capabilities and tested the ability of the U.S. defense industrial base to scale up production. The Gaza war will further require the United States to commit forces and materiel to support Israel. If Washington wants to continue supporting its global partners while preparing for long-term competition with China, it will need continued creative thinking in deployment of military forces and a concerted bipartisan effort to expand the defense industrial base to provide lasting and meaningful support to partners abroad.
*Grant Rumley is the Goldberger Fellow in The Washington Institute’s Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East. From 2018 to 2021, he served as an advisor for Middle East policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.