Israel At War, Everything You Need to Know as We Enter Day 10
President Biden reaffirms the United States' support for Israel as a lengthy ground invasion looms large
Today is October 16, 2023, and here is the latest about what is happening in Israel. If you enjoy these daily updates, and want access to more, exclusive content, or to support my work, then please consider becoming a monthly subscriber by clicking the button below.
We have now entered the tenth day of the war in Israel, and here is everything you need to know. One note before I dive into the news: With war, there is a lot of information that is often difficult to compartmentalize into easily digestible reads. And, with the news moving at a fast pace, news is often missed and information is often interpreted incorrectly at first.
1) United States Reaffirms Support While Palestinian President Calls Out Hamas' Attacks
President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ support for Israel during a late night interview with 60 Minutes. During this interview, the President explained that he supports the Palestinian people and that there needs to be a Palestinian Authority in Gaza, but that Israel has a complete right to defend itself and defeating Hamas is part of that right. Specifically, President Biden stated: “Look, there's a fundamental difference. Israel is going after a group of people who have engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust. And, so I think Israel has to respond. They have to go after Hamas. Hamas is a bunch of cowards.” This major interview comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited President Biden to visit Israel, and President Biden’s team is currently working on setting the meeting up. This historic visit, which will likely be during an Israeli ground invasion, would once again show the President’s commitment to supporting Israel during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has denounced Hamas' attacks, calling them completely unproductive to the Palestinian movement. Specifically, Abbas stated that: "Hamas' actions do not represent Palestinians" and called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages taken. Although it took him over one week to make such a statement, it is significant nonetheless and highlights the fact that Hamas' actions must be uniformly denounced and do not further the objectives of the Palestinian people.
2) Humanitarian Corridor Remains Closed
Despite multiple reports that a deal had been reached to open the Rafah border crossing connecting Egypt and Gaza, a humanitarian corridor has remained closed, and has not allowed Palestinian residents to flee Gaza as the humanitarian crisis worsens. Opening this corridor has been the subject of significant negotiations between multiple countries including the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Turkey, and would allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza through Egypt, while allowing refugees to flee Gaza into Egypt. This latest news comes at a time where Israel announced that it would be turn the water back on for millions of residents in Southern Gaza. This decision was made by Prime Minister Netanyahu following a conversation with President Biden and was done to incentive residents in North Gaza to continue evacuations to the south. The blame game continued this morning with Egypt blaming Israel for the border crossing remaining closed stating: "The Israeli government has not yet taken a position that would allow the crossing to be opened from the Gaza side, allowing the entry of aid or the exit of citizens from third countries." Meanwhile, the United States Secretary of State is back in Israel meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu as negotiations continue to find a solution to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza right now. Hundreds of thousands of residents have already displaced and many more likely to come soon.
3) Israel Announces Evacuation
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This morning, the Israeli military announced mandatory evacuations of residents living in the north along the Lebanese border. Citizens who currently live within two kilometers of the border will be evacuated to state funded guest homes as the probability of a larger military conflict with Hezbollah to the north rises. At the same time, there are reports this morning that Iran was behind some of the attacks seen from Hezbollah yesterday that targeted Israeli civilians in the north. These reports have not been confirmed yet but come at a time where Iran has sent some threatening messages out at Israel, including one that makes clear Iran may have to get involved in the war if Israel does not stop its aggression in Gaza. Whether this occurs or not remains to be seen, however.
4) Death Toll Rises This Morning
Meanwhile, the death toll continues to rise on both sides as over 2,700 Palestinian civilians in Gaza have been killed, including more than 700 children. On the Israeli side, more than 1,300 civilians have been killed. At least 29 Americans have been killed as a result of Hamas' terrorist attack as well. In addition, the Israeli military confirmed that at least 199 Israeli civilians remain in the custody of Hamas as hostages. Hamas currently has at least 12 Americans as hostages as well. The death toll number is unfortunately likely going to rise as military action continues today.
Disclaimer: With any war, news and information is often scattered and hard to come by, as I learn more you will be the first to know.