Hello, my friends!
I wanted to send you the latest news about the situation in Israel.
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To date — and they’re not done counting even from day 1 — total deaths already exceed 900
That’s according to almost all media reports, though exact figures are still being tallied. (And since there are dozens of Israeli hostages, the exact number of which are unknown.)
As of this posting, The Washington Post puts the tally in this way.
The death toll has risen to 600 in Israel, according to local media, while Palestinian authorities said at least 313 were killed in Gaza. Thousands more have been injured.
Here’s just one example of how many died. Innocent concert goers were mowed down and massacred.
Not surprising, Israel has formally declared war, and with an unpopular leader at the top (Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu), you can bet that this war isn’t ending anytime soon. (Reminder: Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate scandals involving powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies wrongdoing.)
Also almost guaranteeing the longevity of the war is the incomprehensible intelligence failure this all was.
Netanyahu will have to atone for this mistake, as well as do all he can to maintain his precarious hold on power.
As a taste of what’s to come, there was the following statement and reality that already Israel has cut off electricity and said it would no longer supply power, fuel, or other goods to the territory. Here’s the current situation, from ABC News:
In a televised address Saturday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military will use all of its strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities.
“Get out of there now,” he told Gaza residents, who have no way to leave the tiny, overcrowded Mediterranean territory. Gaza’s 2.3 million people have endured a border blockade, enforced to varying degrees by Israel and Egypt, since Hamas militants seized control in 2007.
In Gaza, much of the population was thrown into darkness Saturday night as Israel cut off electricity and said it would no longer supply power, fuel or other goods to the territory.
This war will sadly be horrific; and it’s already horrible — especially conditions for Palestinians inside Gaza even before the latest outburst of violence. But no one knows how much worse this will get.
Frankly, there is no simple solution.
But make no mistake, it will be a brutal campaign.
And Israel’s words say they have a very clear goal in mind.
This will, without question, re-open the wounds mentioned below.
This line of thinking came out earlier today, and while it is speculation, it seems pretty well-informed speculation.
Just prior to hitting send, this news broke, proving that line of thinking is already hitting mainstream reporting.
Here’s the current situation on the ground, as of today.
(Although I think everyone expects Israel to retake all of this ground as its better-armed ground forces arrive.)
One thing I’m still intensely curious about is how Hamas pulled this off. The places they attacked and seized are areas that are typically fortified and heavily guarded.
Without question, they heavily relied on drones, picking up — it seems — some tips and techniques from the Ukrainians. (See two videos below.)
https://funker530.com/video/israeli-automated-defense-system-destroyed-by-drone/
https://funker530.com/video/hamas-utilize-drone-to-attack-israeli-tank/
It also seems that while a barrage of 3,000 rockets were fired from Gaza, approximately 1,000 fighters deployed in an assault.
Some flew hang gliders over the border. Another group blasted their way through the fortified electronic and cement wall that divides Gaza from the settlements.
With that obstacle breached, even more fighters poured through the gap.
I’m going to share some more video, but from this point forward, viewer discretion is advised.
First, not every incursion effort out of Gaza succeeded, as these clips show.
https://funker530.com/video/hamas-speed-boats-shredded-by-idf/
But some did, and here’s part of the brutal, initial breach. I still have no idea why so many Israeli soldiers seemed unprepared. Some seem to have been sleeping; some not in uniform.
https://funker530.com/video/nsfw-gopro-footage-of-hamas-initial-breach/
While all of that was happening, the settlements were breached, too. And that led to some extraordinary tales of barbarity and also tales of heroism, such as the one below.
Who knows what happens from here, but Israel is moving troops by the thousands toward Gaza.
And the war is already spreading to Lebanon (in the north).
Israel, Hezbollah exchange artillery, rocket fire.
AND, the United States is sending a carrier strike group closer to Israel.
Unfortunately, none of this is going to end well any time soon. So, buckle up and hold on
Love and peace,
Stan R. Mitchell
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written 11 of them, including: a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational self-help book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan. You can find all of these books on Amazon.
Want to know more about me? Click here: About me. You can also learn more about my journey here: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.
I am probably in the camp of do what you think is best for you. Bring the content you trust and the people will listen.
Keep up the hard work. You covered a lot of topics today in your podcast.