President Joe Biden had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after the Israeli leader declared his country was at war. The American President pledged US support for Israel’s “self-defense.” Fighting that started with a Hamas offensive in southern Israel, has led to over 600 Israeli and 370 Palestinian deaths.
On Saturday, Hamas launched an attack from Gaza on southern Israel. The Palestinian fighters conducted a complex operation that involved thousands of rockets, paratroops, and taking over Israeli checkpoints on the fence that prevents residents from leaving Gaza. Videos showed cars and apartment buildings on fire in Israeli cities. The group was able to take control of several towns.
Hamas said it launched the operation because of the treatment of Palestinians at the al-Aqsa Mosque. On Thusday, 800 Israelis stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while Tel Aviv’s security force prevented Palestinians under the age of 60 from accessing the third most holy site in Islam.
The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with 2 million people living in 140 square miles. Most of the people living in the area are refugees from other areas of Israel. Human rights groups have labeled Gaza as an “open-air prison” because of the Israeli blockade severely restricting travel and trade.
Hamas claims to have captured dozens of Israeli soldiers. Unconfirmed reports say that the group also captured Israeli civilians. Videos show Hamas bringing captured Israeli military equipment back to Gaza. Israeli authorities say 600 people have been killed by Hamas.
Tel Aviv responded to the offensive by mobilizing its forces. Israeli warplanes have targeted dozens of sites inside Gaza, including multiple residential high-rises. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that 230 people have been killed by the Israeli bombing.
Netanyahu said “We are at war, not an operation. Hamas has launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens.” He added, “I ordered first of all to cleanse the settlements of the terrorists who had infiltrated and ordered a large-scale mobilization of reserves. The enemy will pay a price he has never known.”
At a press conference later in the day, Netanyahu explained the objectives Tel Aviv hopes to achieve in the war. “Our first objective is to clear out the hostile forces that infiltrated our territory and restore the security and quiet to the communities that have been attacked,” he said. “The second objective, at the same time, is to exact an immense price from the enemy, within the Gaza Strip as well. The third objective is to reinforce other fronts so that nobody should mistakenly join this war.”
Biden called Netanyahu to affirm Washington’s support for Tel Aviv. “I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel,” he said. “Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the Pentagon will work to ensure Tel Aviv has what it needs. “Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering.” He continued, “Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”
Washington sends Tel Aviv at least $3.8 billion every year in military aid.
Many American officials have condemned the attack on Israel as “terrorism” and assert Israel has a right to “self-defense.” However, the Palestinians are subject to violence at the hands of the Israeli state.
Multiple human rights organizations have deemed Israel to be an apartheid state. Tel Aviv often targets the basic needs of Palestinians. In the West Bank, the homes of Palestinians are regularly destroyed to make way for Israeli settlers. Tel Aviv has even poured concrete into wells.
The Israeli soldiers that occupy the West Bank are able to kill Palestinians, even children, with impunity. Two Palestinians were killed in the West Bank on Saturday, including a 13-year-old. By mid-September, Israeli soldiers had killed 38 children in 2023.
Tel Aviv severely restricts travel from Gaza. The prohibition on leaving the region is so intense that many children with cancer struggle to locate an adult who can accompany them for treatment outside of Gaza.
Israel often responds to activity by militias in Gaza by collectively punishing all 2 million residents. Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, MK Israel Katz, signed a decree instructing the Electric Company to stop supplying electricity to the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip.
In the past, Tel Aviv has often limited Gaza’s fighting territory and closed the crossing in and out of the region. A Palestinian outlet reported that currently the entire Gaza Strip is in a blackout.
Kyle Anzalone is the opinion editor of Antiwar.com, news editor of the Libertarian Institute, and co-host of Conflicts of Interest.
Looks like Brandon and the mainstream Republicans are going to be funneling more of other people’s money for overseas arms pretty soon. . .
someone’s gotta balance Iranian funds for Hamas.
Balance? Hasbara trainers need to work harder to produce credible propaganda.
Israel has the most powerful PR machine in the world. Hollywood.
Not to mention the MSM, V.
Again -hate myth- the Jys control Hollywood.
Another old crock-the JWS control Hollywood.
He didn’t say that.
It was seriously implied.
No. It wasn’t. Hollywood is behind Ukraine in the same way.
Too bad more and more Americans are ignoring them. Why watch woke crap from Hollywood when quality shows from Korea, Japan, Brazil, and everywhere else are readily available on Netflix?
Progresive? HA!
These Hasbara-look under your bed, they have stolen all your left shoes. Stop the crap.
The Hasbaras are in league with the greys and that is why your left shoe is missing from under the bed.
There are almost no politicians on the national scene in the US who aren’t in thrall to Israel.
The Lobby is almost all-powerful.
Dear Joe:
Multiple human rights organizations have deemed Israel to be an apartheid state. Tel Aviv often targets the basic needs of Palestinians. In the West Bank, the homes of Palestinians are regularly destroyed to make way for Israeli settlers. Tel Aviv has even poured concrete into wells.
The Israeli soldiers that occupy the West Bank are able to kill Palestinians, even children, with impunity. Two Palestinians were killed in the West Bank on Saturday, including a 13-year-old. By mid-September, Israeli soldiers had killed 38 children in 2023.
Tel Aviv severely restricts travel from Gaza. The prohibition on leaving the region is so intense that many children with cancer struggle to locate an adult who can accompany them for treatment outside of Gaza.
Israel often responds to activity by militias in Gaza by collectively punishing all 2 million residents. Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, MK Israel Katz, signed a decree instructing the Electric Company to stop supplying electricity to the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip.
In the past, Tel Aviv has often limited Gaza’s fighting territory and closed the crossing in and out of the region. A Palestinian outlet reported that the entire Gaza Strip is in a blackout.
Joe: “I like icecream!”
christ on a stick man, christ on a stick ….
Since when have human rights organizations condemned Palestinian violence?
it’s you again. Rights organizations have, Jake. The problem is the violence from Israel is daily. Crops burned, raids in the middle of the night. Palestinian kids shot, settler violence (with IDF sitting idle watching). And, Palestinians do not have an air force (f-16s), navy, army, or, ahem, nukes.
No-they have YAMS-young Arab missiles that kill wantonly and then sacrifice their lives for nothing. If you don’t like my presence-then leave.
You should leave, as you’ve added nothing to the value of discussion here.
It’s a discussion forum Dummy, not a debating club with judges.
Who the fork are you-go fart some dust.
The point of my comment was for Biden to realize what Israel does. I posted that part of the article because Biden, and our congress, continuously ignore Israel’s actions. Just like you just did by cherry picking something that has nothing to do with what Israel does. And I’m sure human rights organizations condemn all violence against Israel but since Israel is so much more of the belligerent, it just seems like they only condemn theirs. At least to Israeli firsters like you and Joe.
Knocking off Arab villages after 1967 was wrong.Many of the things Israel does are wrong.Bide has limited control and is a politician who must keep everyone happy. At the same time,point blank executions of civilians is wrong,hauling away an old lady or a child into captivity is wrong.Arabs murdering Jews in the area has been goint on since the early 1900’s.This new Hamas war will see thousands of dead civilians in Gaza,with only a propaganda victory for Haman. If I visited a Zionist site,I would try to provide a counterpoint.Since this site is anti Israel to the point of unreality and or just hating JWS,I provide a pro Israel view
What you do is repeat the same bullshit regardless of the content of the comment. And of course, that means everyone is an antisemite.
Al you do is whine about 4 billion.
Once again proving my point.
Somebody needs to tell Biden that Palestine also has the right to defend itself from Israeli aggression. It works both ways.
In the US, no one who doesn’t want to be blacklisted in politics is going to do that.
Well, the Zios gave millions to defeat Summer Lee, and look who’s in congress.
And Rashida DESTROYED her competition last election, as did Cory and Ayanna.
True. There are exceptions.
Palestine turned down Oslo-you don’t have to love your neighbor to work out deals with them. Palestine just attacked Israel-both sides will now pay a heavy price.The Jihadists will be pleased.It may lead to use of WMD’s.
Oslo was agreed upon by both parties. You have seen picture of the handshake between Rabin and Arafat. I know you have. The problem with Oslo is is put the idea of the two state solution in the dead letter file. Truthout: https://truthout.org/articles/oslo-accords-were-signed-30-years-ago-they-killed-the-two-state-solution/
“Palestine turned down Oslo . . .”
So did the Israeli right — and they assassinated Rabin because of it. One of those who threatened Rabin before he was killed was Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is now the Israeli Minister of National Security.
Your bullshit would probably work better if you went to shovel it among people who are ignorant of history.
Thank you. Ben-Gvir is a follower of Kahane.
Kiss it.Egypt also killed their own president,who reached out for peace.The Palestinians are much worse off c/o Oslo,and will be slaughtered for the crimes of Hamas.Happy NOW?
No one here is happy about this. It’s a disaster, a disaster directly traceable to 75 years of Israeli ethnic cleansing, settler colonialism and apartheid policies. You, however, seem somewhat unhinged. I’m revising my assessment: most hasbarists aren’t quite dumb enough to openly reveal their vilest bloody fantasies. You are.
In other words,you lost the argument. Arab ethnic cleansing of its their Jewish populations is OK with you.Lurid barking does not change things.
The ZIONIST`S where never interested in a peace settlement that was a cover to build up the I.D.F and grab all the land while forcing the Palestinian people onto RESERVATION`S just as the invaders / occupiers of North America did with the Native Population of Indians .
And who’d motto is from the river to the sea?
Lol, the DC bogmonsters only recognize the right of self defense for people their donors care about/people fighting folks their donors hate
I’m sure many have. Remember when Rashida confronted him on the runway in Detroit?
He just doesn’t give a flying’ f*ck, but goes to Mass every Sunday like the good Christian that he isn’t. If I recall the Ten Commandments correctly, one of ‘em states that “Thou Shall not Kill”….yet how many deaths is the Corpse-in-Chief responsible for?
If ByeDone thinks he’s going to heaven just because he takes Communion, St. Peter’s gonna tell him, Not so fast, pal.
Very scary rhetoric and propaganda coming from the Zionist press. They’re saying this is Israel’s 9/11 very scary . America launched a war on terror after 9/11. Is Israel going to start a war on multiple fronts? Is this going to be Israel warring with Lebanon, hamas and Iran all at once? Is America going to get involved if that happens? Is America going to war with Iran for israel ?
Someone said earlier that Israel is going to run out of ammunition by November 17th because the war in Ukraine has depleted American funds and weapons caches and ammo. I am not sure that is the case because I had read that most of the weapons that were given to Ukraine were reserves in storage. Therefore, israel will get brand new weaponry like they always do. It’s not the same.
In other words, if America has no weaponry in storage it doesn’t matter because the will simply give Israel their new current weaponry
Israel has more than enough weaponry, ammunition and other materiel to do terrible things to Palestinians for the foreseeable future. Expect collective punishment on an enormous scale, unless and until world opinion makes it too costly to continue. If history is a reliable indicator, that could take a long time.
All the more reason for the Palestianins to make it their D-Day. If Netenyau is going to kill them anyway, might as well make him pay full retail price
Duh-who just started the war?
Right, it just started.
Jacob the ADL troll, probably files his report daily.
Why is your symbol a sheep-just following the herd.
When Netanyahu was back on the show I knew they were taking this to the next level. Censorship is their means of keeping a lid on the truth – but too many people know, now.
We literally know who is behind everything and their little ADL weird looking guy can’t make people Un-see or Un-hear what they now know.
“Hamas” will be attributed to Iran which will probably generate a serious war in the middle east. just what the uncle doctor ordered.
what
Iran is the head-cut it off.EMP-then Kilotons-then Co60.
You sound like you hate the poor people the Israelis lord it over.
Hey, Jacob – you’re trolling for ADL is disgusting at best.
Who are YOU working for-the woman who moved into a JWS neighborhood from the Midwest,and then complained about her JWSH land lord? Or the two MFs who stopped their car,asked if I was Jewish and started walking my way until they saw my APBT.
Time for people to stop the odd spellings of “Jews.” That’s an effort to slip past moderation and if it continues it will result in bans.
Time for people to stop the odd spellings of “Jews.” That’s an effort to slip past moderation and if it continues it will result in bans.
Of course Gaza is in a complete blackout. Israel controls electricity service, water, transportation, import of food.
Civilian Gazans will pay for Hamas actions.Happy?
sure pal, ecstatic
Just like civilians in the Warsaw Ghetto paid and suffered. Were you for that too?
Gaza is being bombed,and a lot of ordinary people will get killed and with a few bloodthirsty terrorists.
Which is why Gaza has no potable water and most of the children suffer from malnutrition.
This is a complicated situation for US internationally. Most countries look other way as Israel, an ocvupying force, violates for decades all obligation of occupier towards occupied lands and population. For decades Israel increased the pressure on Palestinians, reducing their territory and increasing settlements on occupied land. And for as long as Palestinians reacted randomly, all acts of defiance could be placed under terrorism umbrella. But now it is a military operation. The occupied has a right to fight against occupier thar violates the basic rules -/ no appropriation of land or resources of ovcuoied and no involuntary population removal.
Now it is a military response. This is not terrorism. It will bcinteresting how the world reacts. Most I believe urge cease fire and talking. This may cause strain between US and Saudi Srabia, Egypt, actually most of the Gulf, even Pakistan, Indonesia, etc. it will dash hopes of getting upper hand in Libya, and complicate Iraq.
Israel will do what itvalwsys does, hit densely populated Gaza, cause huge civilian casualties. Only this time fewer countries are very dependent on US and thus less likely to be quiet.
This will be a good test.
Taking old ladies in a wheel chair hostage along with Children and bringing them to some underground nest is not terrorism?
So, that has just happened? I did not know. Where did it happen?
allegedly has happened, and I wouldn’t be surprised.
4q
Watch the boob tube
It is, but so is the actions of the Israelis against children and women in all of their occupied territories.
If a 17 y.o. child throws a firebomb,he will suffer consequences.Slap a policeman-go to jail.
If the IDF shoots a journalist in the face, he won’t suffer one iota. Run over an activist with a bulldozer and expect the annual $4 billion to keep coming.
When you attack civilians (like 9/11 – which anyone who has a modicum of logic & knowledge knows Israel was part of that), I do agree it is terrorism. But Terrorism is a part of war then, right? So, now the Israelis will be using terrorist measures – but will claim they “have the right” – nobody else has the right to fight back against open tyranny using Terrorism – Just the Self-defined “Israelis” do. They always give themselves more rights than anyone else. I’m not religious but it was interesting 2000 years ago Jesus called the Sanhedrin a bunch of Hypocrites. Same applies today – but being a hypocrite is nothing compared to being a terrorist – right?
And a good many Christians are hypocrites-they love Jesus but hate his people and do not follow his teachings.Blaming Israel for what Arabs did-BS. Speak for yourself,not others as to what is logical.
It was interesting also to watch all those people running across the desert. Apparently, these well dressed and healthy “Israelis” were enjoying a concert. Others were in their homes enjoying their “freedom” – It is well known that Israelis enjoy a High standard of living while they cage over 2 million people in a 25 mile long strip (5 miles wide) with no way out and some of the worse poverty in world.
Please forgive me for NOT GIVING A DAMN about those Israelis (many whom may have enjoyed the show in 2008-2009 as Israel dumped WHITE PHOSPHORUS and murdered & maimed thousands)
If you don’t give a damn,that fine. Probably many of the hostages taken by Hamas were children or unborn 14 years ago,but thats OK by you. Most peole just want to live.
You’re forgiven. I don’t give a tinker’s damn about ‘em either, when they continue to elect and re-elect racist warmongers.
Dropping cluster bombs onto civilian areas isn’t? A little bit less of the personal touch but I will bet you the terror level is there
Thanks to Kyle for this concise and accurate article.
And to the corpse pretending to be POTUS: F*CK YOU AND THE TRICYCLE YOU RODE IN ON.
(I’d never tell a horse “f*ck you”.)
i guess Ukraine was getting too much of the US attention.
right then; “Hamas” (Iran) suddenly decides to attack Israel ?
yes they (Iran) has waited for 4 decades now and suddenly they have gone on the offensive?
right then = i saw a little poof cloud of smoke on the TV purporting to be proof of the “Hamas aggression against Israel”
idiots. freakin idiots.
Little puff of smoke-get your self some eyeglasses.
I thought Iran supported Hezbollah, not Hamas.
Correct, Duane.
both
I guess Biden doesn’t think that what happened in the Donbas and Crimea was self-defense.
Friends:
If you read one single thing today, please make it Caitlin Johnstone’s “They’re Using the Word “Unprovoked” Again”.
I know this won’t be necessarily appreciated because of the quoted author, but it is still true:
“A slave-owner who through cunning and violence shackles a slave in chains, and a slave who through cunning or violence breaks the chains–let not the contemptible eunuchs tell us that they are equals before a court of morality!”—Leon Trotsky, 1938
I wanted to add that I take no joy in the suffering of either people through war.
And Troksky was ice picked-apparently he had the verbal TROTS-hahahaha
And what did he say that was wrong genius?
Look how people suffered under the Soviet Communism Trotsky helped build-the gulags,the show trials and murders of innocents,the Holodomor.
I still asked what was wrong with the statement not your appraisal of Trotsky.
Did FDR tell the Germans the same thing in 1943 when the Warsaw Ghetto uprising was underway?
Palestinians have a right to self defence they have been under attack for since 1947/8 by the invading occupying ZIONIST`S.
Blame the Christians and Moslems who drove the JWS out of their homes and into Palestine.
“other areas of Israel.”. Indeed, Israel rules Gaza badly, negligently, criminally. When the killing finally concludes if it ever does, the pretence that there is a Palestinian government will be forever dead and Israel will be an Arab majority, Jewish minority state. And even the US won’t forever arm and finance a clearly antidemocratic regime. Indeed there is a struggle between democracy and autocracy, and it begins at home.
You need some a good strong cup of reality coffee.Israel left Gaza 17 years ago-Hamas runs the show there for 17 years.
Except gaza’s air, land and sea borders, electricity and water supply. Hamas ran Israel’s open air prison.
Isn’t this just best seen as a prison riot.
And prison rioters get gassed and shot.
A rebellion in a concentration camp.
Israelis, et al, are so devious. I get it, people snap after being locked up with over 2 million people in an open air prison system that is 25 miles long and about 5 miles wide – with no ability to leave by car, walking, cycling, boat, or plane.
BUT THE MEDIA IS TRYING TO TELL us with their video images, etc, that Hamas really thinks it has a chance going up against Israel and attacked them?
There is something VERY wrong with this picture and they shut down communications to Gaza. I don’t believe what they are saying on mainstream media. This only benefits Israel. We will never hear about what really happened. They are killing more Palestinians in a way they can get away with it. When will these types of people have to pay for their crimes? White Phosphorus in 2008-09 Cast Lead – everyone knows and many Israelis admitted it, yet no consequences.
You cant even believe what you are seeing on the news with your own eyes.Cognitive dissonance.
Another long term clusterphuck brought to you by British colonialism.
Or Ottomans,or Romans,or Mamelukes
Right on. F*CK the Bastard Brits.
I’m putting on a tinfoil hat here, but isn’t it strange that Israel’s top notch intelligence saw none of this coming? This happened while Netanyahu is still being investigated and there have been uprisings against his plan to end powers of the supreme court. The result is of course shock and it will rally people behind defense, while it gives opportunity or “justification” to take out Palestinians who were told to leave Gaza, but they reside inside a blockaded open prison. Kind of a solution all around for his problems from that perspective?
1.Israelis are often very arrogant,and they must spread their limited resources on 4 fronts-Iran,the South,Hezbollah/Syria, and Judea/Samaria. Her enemies are using a pincer movement.
Netanyahu is a criminal and fascist.
He is a politician-probably not as bad as the rulers of Hamas and Iran.
He takes cues from Hitler.
Grow up-hes a politician,corrupt,greedy,and with a tiny country surrounded by powerful nations who hate his people. It is the Arabs who have admired Hitler-used Nazis in their government ect.
You’re incredibly boring.
For some reason, I had a hankering to reread a very old book I’ve owned for many years. It’s called “ Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”.
The comparisons between the experiences of the Native Americans and the Palestinians are downright startling. Lies, broken promises, land theft, starvation, destruction and wholesale killings perpetrated by both army and settlers…. All because the Indians objected to their land an way of life being confiscated.
If you’ve never read this book, you NEED to. The author is Dee Brown.
Thank you.