By Mel Gurtov

November 17, 2023 (San Diego) -- Appeals for a cease fire in Israel’s war with Hamas are growing louder. Along with many governments and international and nongovernmental organizations, the UN General Assembly, by a 120-14 vote (with 45 abstentions), has called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.” 

So far that call has only yielded an Israeli decision on a daily four-hour humanitarian pause for north Gaza. I have seen very little detailed discussion of how a lengthy cease-fire might be achieved. So here are my thoughts on the complications of implementing a cease-fire as well as the opportunities it might create.

View video of President Joe Biden’s speech

By Miriam Raftery

October 10, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden today delivered a forceful speech pledging full support for Israel against the attacks by Hamas, which the president called “pure evil.” Biden promised that the U.S. is surging assets to Israel, including ammunition and receptors to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, as well as sending the USS Gerald Ford air force carrier to the region.  

He also announced plans to ask Congress to take urgent action as soon as Congress reconvenes (after the House elects a speaker). Biden also said he has consulted with European leaders to forge a united response. In addition, he spoke of beefing up security for Jewish centers in the U.S. and assured that the FBI and Homeland Security are on the alert for any potential domestic terror threats.

“There is no justification for terrorism,” the President said, then offered this message to the Palestinian people. “Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination. Their stated purpose is the annihilation of the state of Israel and the murder of Jewish people, They use Palestinian people as human shields. Hamas offers nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard for who pays the price.”

The President detailed atrocities reportedly committed by Hamas, which he likened to ISIS, including slaughtering babies, grandparents, and young people at a music festival, raping women and parading them through the street, as well as taking hostages including Americans.

By Miriam Raftery

October 7,2023 (San Diego) --    The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced early this morning, “We are at war,” after Hamas launched attacks targeting Israel cities, killing and capturing civilians.  “Thousands of rockets have been firedto the south and center of Isarel, including at Jerusalem.” The Israeli government accused Palestinian “terrorists” of patrolling streets and “slaughtering innocent civilians” releasing a video that showed bombs igniting fires in urban areas and gunmen in the streets. The post on X added that civilians have been captured, adding, “We will take every measure to protect our citizens and target those who harm them.”  The post said at least 100 Israelis were killed and 900 wounded.

Hamas claimed it fired 5,000 rocket and claims to have captured Israeli soldiers including senior military officers. Hamas spokesman Khaled Qadomi told  Al Jazeera that its goal is for “the international community to stop atrocities in Gaza, against Palestinian people, our holy sites like Al-Aqsa,” a reference to a mosque that has been the site of conflicts between Gaza settlers and Palestinians in recent days.

Film on social media shows a bulldozer apparently breaking down a border fence that separated Israel and Gaza.

November 28, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecti all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Supreme  Court blocks Illinois law banning taping of police (Chicago Tribune)
• More Republicans break with Norquist on anti-tax pledge (Washington Post)
• U.S. Fiscal cliff: Death, taxes and the GOP (BBC)
• U.S. gas prices see sharpest dip since 2008 (CNN)
• Millions will qualify for new options under health care law in next few months; most have no idea (Washington Post)
• Five economic trends to be thankful for (Washington Post)

WORLD

• Electronic tracking: New constraint for Saudi women (France24)
• Anger as Hungarian far-right leader demands list of Jews (Reuters)
• Spanish company involved in nuclear smuggling scheme with Iran (Reuters)
• Clinton announces cease fire between Israel and Hamas (The Hill)
• With Clinton’s shuttle diplomacy success, focus shifts to long-term Mideast solution (Washington Post)
• Egypt: Who holds the power? (BBC)
• Egyptian judges prepare for a strike (NPR)
• Call for noise based wind buffer laws (Queensland Country Life)

HEALTH

• Grapefruit and pills mix: warning (BBC)
• Abortion rate drops 5%, largest drop in decade (LA Times)
• Rare Meat Allergy Caused By Tick Bites May Be On The Rise  (NPR)
• Dogs being trained to sniff out ovarian cancer (CBS News)
• FDA halts operations at peanut butter plant (UT San Diego)
• Smoking rots brain, says study (BBC)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

October 11, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Mitt Romney's Climate Change Remarks On 'Meet The Press' Outrage Environmental Activists 
• Meningitis-linked steroid may have been responsible for 13,000 cases in US (Reuters)
• Meningitis outbreak: steroid maker recalls all shots (Med Page Today)
• NY 9/11 judge okays$6 billion vs. Iran, Taliban, Al Qaeda (UT San Diego)
• Should TV stations refuse to air political ads that make false claims? (NPR)
• Supreme Court to hear Monsanto seed dispute (Huffington Post)
• Your right to resell your own stuff is in peril (Wall Street Journal Market Watch)

WORLD

• Drug ‘may’ prevent stroke damage (BBC)
• Libyan leader passes vote of no confidence dismissing leader (Reuters)
• Egypt’s hard-line Islamist party unravels (UT San Diego)
• Gauging poverty from Appalachia to Africa (Christian Science Monitor)
• Hamas election boycott leaves Palestinians with only one choice (Christian Science Monitor)
• Israel strikes Gaza after exchange of air strikes (Christian Science Monitor)
• France’s Hollande vows more security to allay Jewish fears (Reuters)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.