#Israel’s military announced that the country’s border is under control after hours of fighting & airstrikes Tues. BrigGen Dan Goldfuss of the 98th Div said the military is now “moving into the offensive … to change the reality within #Gaza to prevent such a thing from happening again.” Israel has called up tens of thousands of #reservists to fight since the unprecedented cross-border assault by #Hamas militants over the wknd.
President Biden will address the American people Tuesday about the situation in #Israel where #Hamas militants attacked the country Saturday, killing >1,000 people, including at least 11 #Americans. Israel has responded w/a #siege & heavy #bombing of the #Gaza Strip.
Biden delivered a forceful condemnation of #Hamas as a #terrorist group, & defended Israel's right to respond to the attack. Biden, who has long been a supporter of #Israel & also has had a long relationship w/ PM Benjamin #Netanyahu, said that he reminded the prime minister that both the #UnitedStates & Israel are #democracies & must act "according to the rule of law."
#Biden’s statement gives the govt of #Israel room to respond w/strong force, but urged them to minimize #civilian casualties by arguing an American response to a #terror attack would be swift & decisive, but would adhere to the #LawsOfWar.
Biden said the US would help provide #intelligence to save #hostages held by #Hamas. But he didn’t suggest American troops would directly assist w/rescue missions.
Biden warned other govts not to try to take advantage of the situation. "I have one word: Don't."
Biden said he first visited Israel >50yrs ago as a newly elected senator. Biden’s long experience w/ Israel & #ForeignAffairs is an advantage in this crisis.
Peter Baker of the NYT said,
“That was one of the sharpest, even angriest condemnations of #terrorism in #Israel that I've ever heard from an #AmericanPresident in covering the #WhiteHouse since the 1990s. #Biden offered no equivocation & made no effort to urge restraints on Israel's response.
He wanted to make sure there was no daylight between him & Israel at this time.”
#JosepBorrell, the #EU’s top diplomat, said #Israel has the right to defend itself but must do so while following #international & #humanitarian#laws.
“Some decisions are contrary to international #law,” he said after an EU mtg in Oman.
“Cutting off #water, #electricity, & #fuel supplies is unacceptable, as it punishes the entire population & deprives them of their basic needs,” said Léo Cans, head of mission for #DoctorsWithoutBorders in the #Palestinian Territories.
The latest estimates put the number of people displaced by the violence at ~200k, Cans said in a statement.
The #USSFord#AircraftCarrier arrived Tues in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, US #CentCom announced.
“The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of #deterrence should any actor hostile to #Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation,” said Gen Michael Kurilla.
#Propaganda operations that typically push pro-#Iran & pro-#China narratives have begun weighing in on #Israel’s #war w/ #Hamas. One group of Iran-linked accounts is posing as #Egyptians & denigrating Israel, said John Hultquist, an #intelligence expert at Google’s Mandiant division. One network of accounts loyal to China is claiming the #UnitedStates supports Israel so it can sell it weapons.
President of #Israel Isaac #Herzog said he met Tues w/the families of people abducted by #Hamas.
“I met those who do not know the fate of their loved ones & those who know that they are in the hands of a cruel & brutal enemy,” Herzog said in a video posted on social media.
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