Meanwhile on the International front....

UN mourns the deaths of more than 100 aid workers in Gaza, the highest number killed in any conflict in its history | CNN

More United Nations aid workers have been killed in Gaza than in any other single conflict in the organization’s 78-year history, the UN said Monday, a stark reminder that humanitarian staff from global agencies have not been spared from Israel’s relentless bombardment of the besieged strip.

Journalist casualties in the Israel-Gaza war - Committee to Protect Journalists

As of November 14, CPJ’s preliminary investigations showed at least 42 journalists and media workers were [killed]

 

This opinion page contribution, by someone very qualified to make it, is a must-read. I wish/hope that everyone -- everyone -- would.

It's by Steven D. Smith, for The Hill, about all the footage, available from various first-hand sources, of the initial Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas that he watched -- on a movie-theater big screen, with a specially invited audience that was there to do just that.

https://thehill.com/opinion/interna...ttack-in-gaza-this-isnt-war-this-is-genocide/

 

Weird few moments during Anderson Cooper's interview with Nic Roberts and Wesley Clark.

First, he kept interrupting and talking over Roberts, and then after a Roberto Bolano-like intro to what might be a question, he didn't make clear who was supposed to answer and Clark began but was soon cut off by Roberts and rubbed his eyebrows in frustration.

 

I suspect that the Mossad will find a way to kill some of them. It may take years, but they have a long memory and a longer reach.

 

I can't hit like on this, but I read it and I have seen some of the footage. I didn't have the stomach to dig deeply into it.

 

Iran's Supreme Leader has told Hamas representatives face to face that the Hamas raid was launched without consulting or even informing Iran and therefore, Hamas is on its own except for "political and moral" support. No Iran, no Hezbollah in this war.

 

Iran made a calculated decision and chose wisely.

 

I still don’t understand this. Iran is one of Hamas’ bigger patrons. Why would Hamas go forward here without consulting Tehran? It’d be like Israel not giving the U.S. any advance notice on bombing the Iraqis when they did.

 

I'm not sure I believe this. The Beau link a couple of pages back was talking about the recent OIC (an Islamic states diplomatic organization) meeting where Iran called for arming the Palestinians and was voted down.


"In an unprecedented diplomatic push by Iran to force the Gulf monarchies to adopt a more interventionist approach, the country’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, travelled to Riyadh on Saturday, the first Iranian leader to do so in 11 years, in an effort to persuade the Gulf states to take a tougher approach and explicitly back Hamas.

The final OIC communique, however, was long on condemnation and demands for an immediate ceasefire, but short on practical steps to help Hamas."

Gulf states fend off call from Iran to arm Palestinians at Riyadh summit

 

Hamas agrees to tentative deal to free dozens of hostages, pending Israel’s approval

Hamas wants a multiday pause in fighting, increased humanitarian aid, and freedom for an unknown number of Palestinians in Israeli jails in exchange for the release of at least 50 women and children being held in Gaza


https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/15/hamas-israel-gaza-hostage-deal/

We'll see how this goes. I'm not sure Israel will go for the release of Hamas personnel.

 

Don't see that happening. Israel's going to sweep the leg, then the other leg, and both arms, and crack many skulls.

 

No matter how many women and children are in the way. That's the problem with revenge. And that's what Bibi's after. Not security.