November 30, 2023 - Daily Digest

Santos expulsion vote tomorrow while more hostages return home

Today is November 30, 2023, and here are all the news stories you may have missed from today. If you enjoy these daily news digests and want access to more, exclusive content, or if you want to support my work, then please consider becoming a monthly subscriber by clicking the link below:

1) Israel Update

The Israel-Hamas truce has been temporarily extended for several more hours as Hamas has promised to release additional Israeli hostages from custody. Six more hostages were released today after over 80 hostages were released over the past several days by Hamas. The hostages are back home to Israel where they will receive medical care. Despite the release, there remain over 100 hostages still in Hamas custody in Gaza, although the exact whereabouts of the hostages remains unknown as we now know that the hostages were moved throughout Gaza by Hamas and even given over to other militant groups operating in the enclave. The latest truce is expected to expire at midnight tonight, albeit it is possible that the truce is extended if Hamas agrees to release more Israeli hostages.

Today, in a visit to Israel, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the temporary pause allowed more aid to enter Gaza, while also reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself. Blinken’s visit comes amid reports that President Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel should not use the same tactics in southern Gaza that it did in north Gaza and that the Israeli military should be more careful when conducting operations. Blinken is also expected to meet with other leaders in the region including the President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas.

During this visit, Hamas terrorists executed another terrorist attack, targeting innocent Israelis at a Jerusalem bus stop. The shooting left at least three people dead, although the investigation remains ongoing. This comes at a time where Hamas’ leader came out to the press and stated that what happened on October 7th was just the beginning, and that Hamas was planning further attacks in the future.

2) Court Reinstates Gag Order

A New York Appellate Court has reinstated a gag order that prevents Donald Trump from making public comments about the clerk for the Judge overseeing his civil fraud trial in New York. The gag order was previously instated by Judge Engoron who found that Trump’s prior comments attacking the Judge’s law clerk, including multiple posts made on Trump’s Social Media platform Truth Social. The gag order was previously put on pause by the same appellate court pending a full review of the record. After the review was complete, the order issued today reinstates the order. In court today, during the trial, Judge Engoron commented on the ruling stating that he intends on enforcing the gag order vigorously. If Trump were to violate the order, he can be punished with a fine, jail time, or both.

3) George Santos Expulsion

Tomorrow is the day the House of Representatives will vote on a resolution that could expel embattled New York Congressman George Santos from Congress. In American history, only five other members of Congress have been expelled, three for being part of the Confederacy, and the other two following convictions on criminal charges. Santos’ expulsion would be unprecedented given the fact that he has yet to be convicted on criminal charges, but is facing decades in federal prison for misusing campaign funds for personal gain. Santos has pledged not to resign calling out members of his own party and forcing them to take the tough vote to expel. As it stands right now, members will likely have enough votes to reach the 2/3rds threshold needed to remove him from Congress. In the event Santos is expelled, New York Governor Kathy Hochul will have 10 days to call a special election that then must be held within 85 days. Any expulsion will shrink the Republican majority even further. More to come on this soon.