Israel's "options" for Gaza after Hamas. None are particularly realistic, it seems to be, but it seems increasingly clear that emptying Gaza (or most of Gaza) of Palestinians is what the Israeli right wants. Biden has proposed an international force, to be followed by the Palestinian Authority, which "controls" the West Bank. The latter will be bitterly opposed by the right-wing fundamentalists in Israel, who fear that will ultimately lead to Palestinian statehood.
Israeli report finds that the Hamas "pillage and murder" raid on October 7 had not planned to attack the music festival (which was only discovered after the raid began), where more than 360 were killed (a higher figure than previously reported), and 40 were kidnapped.
70-year-old grandfather defended his Kibbutz on October 7 for 12 hours with a rifle: another remarkable story of resilience under extreme circumstances.
Head of mission for Gaza for Doctors without Borders describes the horrific medical and humanitarian situation.
Some relatives of victims of the October 7 atrocities do not support the attack on Gaza: “'We are just drowning in our own violence and blood,' Yonatan Zeigen, Silver’s 35-year-old son, told Al Jazeera. 'Israel won’t cure our dead babies by killing more babies.' Silver was one among several victims known to regularly volunteer to drive sick Palestinians from the Gaza border to hospitals in Israel for treatment."
A debate on "proportionality" under international law at Just Security.
An Israeli mother's plea for her two daughters (15 and 8) held hostage by Hamas:
I have nothing left to ask of this world but this: Take me to my girls. Take me to Gaza.
I am requesting assistance from the Israeli government, the U.S. government, the International Committee of the Red Cross and any other organization trying to help the hostages. I cannot wait for more news of hostage deals to come and go. You have failed to free my girls, so take me to Gaza.
My bag is packed. I will take only a few items: chocolate milk that my daughters love, shoes that are good for running, and a new bandage for Ela — the last photograph we have of her in captivity shows that she is injured. Take me to Gaza so I can change her bandage.
In my jeans pocket I will carry a photograph of Noam, their father, who we believe was killed in front of their eyes. Take me to Gaza in his memory.
When I reach them, however I reach them, I will hug them so hard that for a moment they might forget where they are. I will place myself in front of them, and they will finally be able to sleep as I hold them. I will tell Dafna to raise her beautiful voice and sing a song that might open the heart of a guard. I will encourage Ela to be the tiny mouse that she is and find the smallest hiding place to shelter in, so that when the IDF comes to save us, she will be safe.
I will bring messages from the parents and loved ones of the other 31 children believed to be in captivity. Some of those children no longer have their parents waiting for them back at home. Take me to Gaza, so that I can be their mother, too. I will tell them that they have not been forgotten, and that they are loved. That they are cherished, and that for their sake the world was created.
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