Unveiling the Next Chapter: The Future Course of the War

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"In 1999, British philosopher Jonathan Glover remarked that we are currently living in a unique era where we have complete awareness of cruelty and killings as they occur. This statement came at the conclusion of a decade marked by genocidal violence in Rwanda and Bosnia, and a century that witnessed the death of no less than 187 million individuals due to war."

The way we address acts of savagery holds great importance, as stated in "Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century."

"We have the opportunity to establish a new customary practice where we reject the atrocious acts and take necessary measures to eliminate them. Alternatively, we can choose to perpetuate an existing tradition that passively accepts them."

The revelation of the Hamas attack on Israel last weekend has brought these questions to the forefront once again. The war is being witnessed by everyone through their screens, compelling individuals to confront acts of cruelty, violence, and the apprehension of what lies ahead.

In her analysis, Frida Ghitis mentions how Hamas employed motorcycles, trucks, paragliders, and speedboats to launch thousands of rockets and infiltrate Israeli territory.

In Israel, they targeted soldiers and civilians, and even shared videos on social media, exposing their merciless acts against people of all ages. Countless individuals were abducted and forcibly dragged through the streets, some being taken to Gaza.

Ghitis emphasized that Israel has made mistakes, but nothing can serve as justification for the appalling actions recently committed by Hamas. It is widely acknowledged by informed individuals that Hamas' conduct is unquestionably a form of terrorism, regardless of how one defines it.

Amy Klein, a New York-based writer whose spouse has connections to Israel and has served in its military, started receiving inquiries stating, "Are your loved ones safe?"

"While they were not in immediate danger, they were facing distress..."

"With a death toll of over 1,000 and still rising, along with thousands of injuries and reports of as many as 150 Israeli citizens believed to be kidnapped, there are distressing graphic videos depicting numerous young adults being shot at close range during a desert rave, women being stripped and left bloodied, the elderly, children, and infants being taken and subjected to torment, as well as people desperately screaming for their lives while being chased by terrorists on motorcycles. Additionally, piles of bodies have been discovered at kibbutzim. The situation in Israel is deeply disturbing and causing tremendous distress, leaving no one unaffected."

"The impact is also felt by a significant number of Jewish individuals in America."

A music festival

Israeli music festival-goer Gal Katz hid in an orange grove with a friend for six hours until Hamas gunmen had dispersed.

Courtesy of Gal Katz

"We were dancing," recalled Gal Katz, "as the sun began to rise." The 22-year-old was attending a music festival when he witnessed Israel's Iron Dome system intercepting missiles from Gaza. "Initially, I thought it was just missiles. In Israel, this is not unusual. I assumed that if it was a serious threat, the music festival security would halt the party and provide instructions." However, his perspective changed when a friend shared a video on WhatsApp, revealing a white pickup truck carrying at least six gunmen dressed in black. "It was a truck full of terrorists in Israel, right in a nearby city."

"I realized that we were facing something unprecedented. When I watched that video, it felt like I was in Call of Duty."

Katz and his friend sought refuge in a nearby orange grove for approximately six hours, remaining concealed from the attackers until soldiers came to their rescue. While some other friends sought shelter, they were unfortunately found by Hamas, unable to return home.

"They took 1,200 lives and maybe 200 kidnapped, and people are still missing and wounded.

"Its the most Jews that have been killed since the Holocaust. How can you accept that?"

A kibbutz

The assault occurred the day subsequent to the commemoration of the 77th establishment anniversary of the Beeri kibbutz. Yulie Ben Ami, aged 27, was raised in the kibbutz located in southern Israel, along with her parents and two siblings.

"At 9:30, my mother informed me via message that terrorists attempted to invade our home and that they made an effort to forcefully open the door. Gunshots were fired towards our secure location," shared Ben Ami in his conversation with CNN Opinions' Stephanie Griffith. "She expressed her fear and uncertainty. Around 10 or 15 minutes later, my parents messaged us to inform that the attackers had entered the house and were causing destruction. At 10:06, my father conveyed the message: They have reached the safe room. We have been caught."

"Thirty minutes later, we came across a photograph on Telegram displaying my father alongside two unidentified individuals who were taking him somewhere unknown."

"We are unaware of the whereabouts of my mother, as she was not present in that photograph."

"My belief is that it is crucial for the global community to comprehend the atrocities committed by the assailants towards innocent children, mothers, grandmothers, and grandfathers... The terrorist attack on the kibbutz resulted in the tragic loss of over 120 lives."

Israelis were left in a state of shock and disbelief as the magnitude and intensity of the recent attacks unfolded over the weekend. Many have drawn parallels to the infamous 1973 Yom Kippur War, when Arab armies caught Israel off guard on the same date almost half a century ago. However, the current situation is even more distressing. Not only are we witnessing a high number of young civilians and soldiers losing their lives, but the horrifying events are also being broadcasted live on television, radio, and social media platforms. What adds to the distress is the apparent absence and incompetence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which millions of Israelis have been protesting against for months due to their perceived attempts to undermine the judiciary.

Pogrom

Ilan Troen's daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Shlomi Mathias, who were murdered in their home in Kibbutz Holit on the Gaza border.

S. Ilan Troen is named after his grandmother who tragically lost her life in the village of Derazhne, located near Rovno (now Rivne) in what was formerly Poland and is currently Ukraine. Her untimely demise occurred in the spring of 1919, a period marked by the brutal killing of approximately 150,000 Jews. These atrocities were perpetrated by Ukrainian leader Symon Petliura's group of nationalist-religious extremists, who mercilessly attacked a tranquil and rural community, ruthlessly murdering and violating its Jewish inhabitants.

Troen, an emeritus professor of history at Ben-Gurion University in Israel and of Israel studies at Brandeis University in the US, describes it as a pogrom. Last week, his own family was once again confronted with the harsh reality of such violent acts.

Troen points out that the term pogrom, originating from the Russian language, refers to an official act committed by a government or similar entity, rather than being the result of the depraved actions of a single antisemite in a isolated incident. The historical progression of pogroms is evident, starting from Eastern European antisemitism to the Nazi ideology that spread throughout Europe, and continuing to the present-day brutality carried out by Hamas against Jewish civilians wherever they are found.

My mother experienced the brutal death of her own mother, yet miraculously survived. The emotional and physical scar she endured stayed with her for the rest of her life, shaping the way she fiercely cared for and protected her own children.

Now, tragically, my daughter Deborah Mathias and her husband Shlomi Mathias have suffered a similarly brutal fate. They were senselessly murdered on a kibbutz located on the Gaza border, where they dedicated themselves to promoting mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. In the presence of their son, my daughter shielded him with her own body, using her last moments to protect him from harm. Although he is currently recovering from a gunshot wound that passed through her and into his abdomen, the trauma from this event will forever mark him and shape his future.

In Gaza

Never again! This occurrence was never meant to transpire, yet it did and still persists. At present, we are observing an ongoing pogrom unfold before our eyes. It was believed that the Holocaust, the most extensive pogrom in history, would signal the end of the horrific cycle of violence targeted at Jews solely because of their Jewish identity. Regrettably, this assumption has proven to be incorrect.

Buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City.

Israel retaliated with airstrikes on targets in the Gaza Strip, which is inhabited by over 2 million people and governed by Hamas. Omar Ghraieb expressed that the residents of Gaza have been closely following the news for the past five days, witnessing the escalating strikes and casualties on both sides of the border. Regardless of how each cycle of violence initiates, it consistently concludes with Palestinians bearing a significant burden. The people of Gaza constantly live in apprehension, expecting a grim outcome.

"Our electricity frequently fluctuates, the scarcity of water persists, and the air beyond my home is engulfed in dense smoke and the acrid smell of gunpowder. Both my throat and eyes experience a burning sensation. It is extremely risky to venture out for bread, yet my mind momentarily drifts towards the forbidden pleasure of indulging in an iced salted caramel macchiato, which could potentially bring me inner peace or at least provide a brief respite. As a Gaza millennial residing in the destitute coastal enclave often referred to as the largest open-air prison in the world, enduring a suffocating blockade for more than 15 years, these circumstances are not surprising."

The ramifications

Hamas' threat to Israel was widely acknowledged, according to Carrie Cordero. She pointed out that Hamas' objective is to obliterate Israel, rather than striving for a harmonious coexistence between a self-governing Palestinian state and the Jewish state. Similar to pre-9/11 Americans, Israelis should have had better safeguards from their government. Undoubtedly, their faith in their elected leaders, intelligence, and security agencies has likely suffered significant damage.

Cordero urged Congress to promptly elect a new speaker and extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This extension would enable the continuous collection of intelligence regarding national security threats, including the activities of terror organizations.

It is currently uncertain whether the Hamas attack will disrupt the ongoing discussions between Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the US regarding a potential normalization agreement. According to Peter Bergen, an Israeli normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, home to the two holiest sites in Islam, would hold significant symbolism and provide tangible security advantages for Israel. This is due to historical events, such as the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where Egypt and Syria attacked Israel. Moreover, both Israel and Saudi Arabia share a strong common interest today, as they perceive Iran as their most perilous adversary. Don't miss out on our complimentary weekly newsletter.

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Jason Greenblatt, the former Middle East envoy under the Trump administration, has highlighted a significant obstacle to achieving a two-state solution. It is evident that Israel cannot establish peace with the Palestinians as long as there is a portion of the Palestinian population committed to its destruction. Furthermore, the presence of Hamas within Palestinian leadership, along with the lack of remorse over innocent lives lost, complicates any potential peace negotiations. This sentiment reverberated on college campuses in the United States, where pro-Palestinian student groups held rallies. At Harvard University, for example, a collective of 30 student associations initially issued a public statement attributing full responsibility for the ongoing violence to the Israeli regime, though some of these groups later distanced themselves from this declaration.

Fish, the special advisor to the president for the Antisemitism Initiative at Brandeis University in Higher Education and K-12 Leadership, noticed that the initial response from the administration was a weak and vague statement signed by 18 administrators. As the controversy intensified, Harvard's president released a statement on Tuesday strongly condemning the terrorist acts committed by Hamas. Fish believes that now is a crucial moment for leaders, including presidents, trustees, deans, provosts, and donors, to firmly express that there are no justifications for the destruction and inhumanity caused by Hamas.

For more:

Kara Alaimo: Schools are right to warn parents about what their kids are seeing now

Peter Bergen: The 9/11 attack wasnt an intelligence failure. The Hamas attack may be

After McCarthy

Drew Sheneman/Tribune Content Agency

Republicans are currently facing challenges in electing a replacement for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, leading to a delay in the House carrying out its legislative duties, including addressing the Middle East crisis. Despite a private vote that favored Representative Steve Scalise as their leader, he withdrew his candidacy after failing to secure the necessary 217 GOP votes for a full House vote. Representative Jim Jordan won an intra-party vote, but it remains uncertain if he can gather sufficient support on the House floor. Julian Zelizer expressed concern that Jordan's election would empower a radical member who may be inclined to shut down the government, as referred to by former Speaker John Boehner.

W. James Antle III wrote that McCarthy's opponents were motivated by a perception that he lacked seriousness in terms of reducing spending. Antle further noted that Republicans have long campaigned on the notion that the country's current fiscal path is not sustainable and recently argued that increased federal spending has led to inflation.

The problem faced by the eight Republicans who took control of McCarthy's gavel is that it is simply not feasible to change the fiscal path while having the smallest margin of control over one half of the legislature. They lack the necessary votes to implement the significant spending reductions they desire, and their efforts to govern as a minority within a narrow majority result in challenges in governing effectively.

John Avlon: The solution to the House speaker crisis

Clay Jones/CNN

Sky-high credit card rates

The Federal Reserve's gradual increase in interest rates has received significant attention due to its impact on homebuyers, leading to a surge in the average mortgage rate to over 7%. However, a lesser-discussed issue is the even more detrimental effect of this increase on the numerous Americans burdened with credit card debt.

According to Sallie Krawcheck and Victoria Sado, the current average credit card interest rate in the United States is a staggering record high of 24.45%. This is a considerable jump from the average rate of 14.22% in 2018. When combined with data revealing that these rate hikes have coincided with an imbalance between consumer spending and income growth, the consequences are undoubtedly painful.

RFK Jr. goes independent

The disparity in debt between genders disproportionately affects women, resulting in greater financial strain. Additionally, due to the gender pay gap, women are more likely to struggle with timely and complete bill payments compared to men. To address these challenges, Krawcheck and Sado have identified six strategies to manage the escalating cost of debt.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made the announcement on Monday that he will withdraw from the Democratic presidential primary and instead contest for the White House as an independent candidate. In doing so, he could potentially garner support from disillusioned voters who are dissatisfied with a Biden-Trump rematch, given his combination of Republican and Democratic policy positions, according to Peter Bergen.

"On the topic of the Ukraine conflict, pandemic protocols, US immigration policies, and the Second Amendment, RFK Jr. could easily be misconstrued as a member of the Republican Party, whereas on matters concerning abortion, affirmative action, and climate change, he embodies the beliefs typically associated with Democrats. This complex blend of perspectives turns Kennedy into an unpredictable element that has the potential to disrupt the presidential election and detrimentally impact both Biden and Trump in unforeseen ways."

Jack Ohman/Tribune Content Agency

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AND…

Simone Biles

Simone Biles of the U.S. celebrates during the medal ceremony after winning the floor exercise at the women's apparatus finals.

Yves Herman/Reuters

Simone Biles has been hailed by Amy Bass as the most accomplished gymnast of all time. Her extraordinary record of 37 world and Olympic medals, including five in Antwerp, where she secured her sixth all-around title a decade after her initial victory, defies all logic. Biles' triumphant return to the sport that she not only dominates but also defines presents a challenge to those who fail to recognize the importance of mental well-being in athletic performance.

Bass highlighted the seismic shock that Biles sent through the sports world in Tokyo over two years ago when she made the courageous decision to step aside and allow her teammates to continue the Olympic pursuit without her. Biles openly spoke about experiencing the twisties, a term used to describe the uncoordinated state of a gymnast's mind and body. This brave admission showcased her vulnerability and emphasized the significance of acknowledging one's struggles.

Biles emerged victorious from the world championship competition in Antwerp, Belgium last weekend, securing four gold medals and one silver. Her triumphant comeback on the global platform, along with the numerous records she now holds, epitomizes the enchanting essence of sports, which extends far beyond mere victory and defeat.