October 14, 2023 - Israel At War: Everything You Need to Know

Tensions rise in the north and west as Israel prepares for a major ground invasion

Today is October 14, 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 seventh 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) Hamas Intentionally Targeted Schools & Children

We have new reporting that Hamas intentionally targeted children and Israeli schools as part of its attacks one week ago. This is unsurprising given the images we have seen from towns along the Gaza border, with children being burned alive and murdered. According to documents found on the bodies of Hamas terrorists, they were instructed by leadership to kill as many individuals as possible, seize hostages, move them into Gaza, and target schools and children. This was done in an attempt to eradicate the future of the Jewish population and echos the actions taken by Hitler and Nazis during the Holocaust. One image, published by NBC News, shows a "top secret" document found on one of the terrorists outlining the schools that were meant to be targeted. 

Other documents also demonstrate that Hamas terrorists had plans to hold Israeli residents at these towns hostage in dining halls until they were able to be transported back to Gaza. The documents shown above are just a small sample of a trove of documents currently being analyzed by the Israeli Government that were found on the bodies of the deceased Hamas fighters. 

2) More Flights Suspended

German airliner Lufthansa has suspended all flights to Beirut, Lebanon until further notice due to the deteriorating conditions in Lebanon. This comes amid reports that Hezbollah is preparing to join the conflict against Israel in the event Israel launches a ground incursion in Gaza. Meanwhile, most airliners have now cancelled flights coming in and out of Israel with the Israeli airliner El Al being one of the only remaining airliners willing to fly to and from Israel. As a result of the deteriorating conditions in and around Israel, the United States is actively working to evacuate citizens who are seeking to leave Israel but cannot obtain a commercial flight. If you are trying to leave Israel or know someone who is, go to the following link to find out all the information you need to know from the American Embassy in Israel. 

3) Tensions Rise In the North & East

Overnight tensions continued to rise in the north and the east as two new possible fronts may open up if Israel makes the decision to launch a ground invasion of Gaza. First, Hezbollah forces have taken credit for attacks on Israel via Southern Lebanon. There are reports of Israeli casualties as a result of the attacks. Hezbollah has pledged to get involved in the war if a ground invasion of Gaza occurs, and it is looking increasingly likely that both will occur. Meanwhile in the east, Israel raided a refugee camp in Jenin located in the West Bank. As a result of the raid, Israeli forces were able to arrest a number of Palestinians. The Israeli military claims those arrested were terrorists or worked to plan attacks in the country. 

4) Evacuations Continue 

Evacuations are continuing this morning in Gaza as Israel continues to amass forces along the border of North Gaza, with a ground invasion looking more and more likely. Israel gave residents of North Gaza an additional six hours to evacuate along specific evacuation routes that the military said it would not target. There were conflicting reports over whether Hamas instructed residents to stay home or leave, but the evacuation process has been extremely difficult nonetheless given the amount of people and the complexities of the situation. The situation in Gaza remains extremely dire as the over 2 million people remain without water, electricity, and food as the siege by the Israeli Government continues. There appeared to be some home overnight as reports suggested that Egypt was moving closer to opening the border crossing with Gaza to allow refugees into Egypt. These reports have been conflicting, with some suggesting that Egypt will not allow refugees, while other suggest that they will allow some. More to come on this. 

5) Apparent Hostage Video Released 

Late yesterday, Hamas released an apparent hostage video showing Hamas fighters with kidnapped Israeli videos. This video was leaked and disseminated on Twitter. At this time I cannot confirm the validity of the video and will not be sharing it here. In any event, there remain approximately 120 hostages in the Gaza strip and held by Hamas fighters. Operations and negotiations continue to free the hostages. In the event you come across a hostage video, or a video that looks like a hostage video, it is imperative that you do not interact with it or share it. Hamas fighters want videos like the one spread yesterday to spread across multiple accounts as a propaganda technique in this war. It is incumbent on you to do your part to stop the spread. 

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.