Day Three Of Swords Of Iron

8:35 pm
Hamas official says they are open to discussions over truce with Israel. 

The U.S. has  begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel. The Pentagon is reviewing inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost Israel in its three-day-old war with Hamas, a senior Defense Department official said. Planes have already taken off, said the official, who declined to provide details on the weapons.

8:34 pm

A preacher said in public at the October 8 pro-Palestine rally in New York City:

"We're done being tortured and hurt and judged. This is the correct religion. This is the religion that all of humanity needs to be  — Islam."

"We will not stop until it enters every home. So I want you to repeat after me. I want to hear it in every single district. It should tremble Brooklyn should hear it. The Bronx should hear it. Queens should hear it. Say it — There is no God worthy of worship except Allah. The God of Jesus, the God of Moses, the God of Abraham, and the God of the last and final prophet, Muhammed..."

3 pm
A Hamas invader used his victim's social media to livestream his murder of an Israeli grandmother.

11:30 am
The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, tweeted:

"As a Salvadoran with Palestinian ancestry, I'm sure the best thing that could happen to the Palestinian people is for Hamas to completely disappear.

"Those savage beasts do not represent the Palestinians.

"Anyone who supports the Palestinian cause would make a great mistake siding with those criminals.

"It would be like if Salvadorans would have sided with MS13 terrorists, just because we share ancestors or nationality.

"The best thing that happened to us as a nation was to get rid of those rapists and murderers, and let the good people thrive.

"Palestinians should do the same: get rid of those animals and let the good people thrive.

"That's the only way forward."

11:18 am
Retired US Army General and advisor to Trump administration Mike Flynn wrote on Twitter:

"Do NOT be distracted by those USG officials and Sunday talk show hard left media pundits talking about money. 

"That is a massive distraction from the colossal failure of US & Israeli intelligence, diplomatic & defense officials are currently witnessing in the Middle East. 

"They will say how the $6B is to address humanitarian issues. That is an utter LIE! 

"Iran will spend the money however Iran wants to spend this money (PERIOD!). And they will spend it on destroying those enemies they perceive as threats — especially America, who Iran perceives as the great Satan and Israel, who Iran has emphatically stated they will wipe off the face of the earth.

"This failure is on a scale not seen since 9-11 or maybe our Pearl Harbor attack by Japan that led us into WWII. The Hamas surprise attack into Israel is massive and while the war continues to be waged, quick accountability needs to happen. If people need to be fired for their incompetence so be it. Find better people. 

"The initial invasion was conducted by ground, air, sea and cyber. It was a well led, tightly coordinated and masterfully timed in order to gain huge tactical and strategic advantage. With so many hostages, Hamas still holds an advantage and tough decisions in the days ahead by the Government of Israel’s leaders must be made. The costs of war are monumental, the costs of losing a war are historic. 

"An immediate question that must be addressed while simultaneously fighting this brutal war is:

"How did our US Intelligence Community not know about these attacks before they happened. There is simply NO EXCUSE! With the hundreds of people along with all the major military commands focused on this vital national security interest and ally Israel, this is inexcusable. 

"My life has been in the world of “Indications and Warnings” and this system is one of the more refined, mature systems in the USIC and instead of functioning properly, there appears to be a complete meltdown. This was not a technical glitch, this was a breakdown of leadership. 

"From 9-11 to this recent failure, we continue to piss away money on failure instead of putting it toward success. I’ve said many times, we get an A for participation in endless wars with no chance of victory and no clearly stated objectives. But we get an F for winning or accomplishing anything except increasing the profits for the military industrial and security state complexes and their corporate leaders and government benefactors. 

"For instance, 20 years in Afghanistan and yet departing was a debacle of epic proportions with images of humans hanging off planes and literally falling from the sky.

"The situation in Ukraine has now become clear that it is a bottomless money pit where some in our government have taken criminalization of their government service to new levels. And we are in Ukraine without clearly stated objectives or even a plan.

"Our very own US border invasion by Mexican drug cartels working in cooperation with both the CCP (China) and organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian surrogates. This is resulting in American deaths in excess of 100K killed and tens of thousands more wounded by the epidemic of fentanyl and other deadly street violence. 

"Lastly, the graveyard of empires, now stretching into this latest Middle East “surprise” without the warning of our massive US Intelligence system, AND it’s being reported that some Americans are among the dead and possibly captured! 

"Enough of the incompetency and failure. #WeThePeople have simply had enough!

"THIS complete LACK of Leadership in the United States administration must end now! 

"Lives are at stake, the economy & debt will only get worse, AND America will be the ultimate loser while China only gets stronger!

"I don’t hate anyone, I love our country. I’ve stood watch for most of my life in some of the worst places on the planet. 

"IT IS TIME FOR LEADERS TO STAND UP!!!  And Congress, do something, anything, but the time is now to act!"

11:00 am
Following claims by an Egyptian intelligence official that Egypt had warned of an imminent attack, Israeli PM Netanyahu's office denied it had received a warning, according to Israeli public radio. The Egyptian said: “We have warned them an explosion of the situation is coming, and very soon, and it would be big. But they underestimated such warnings.”

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf said today parents-in-law are trapped in Gaza. “They’ve been in Gaza and are currently trapped in Gaza, I’m afraid,” he told reporters. 

Arab League foreign ministers will meet this week to "stop the Israeli aggression” against the Gaza Strip, according to Reuters.

Air raid sirens blared in Jerusalem following flights of Hamas rockets fired at the holy city. Hamas said it was retribution for Israeli bombing raids on Gaza following Hamas attack on Israel. 

People are taking shelter in Jerusalem, where streets are empty and army units are active. 

The family of Col. Roi Levy, the commander of the elite 'Ghost' spec-ops unit, mourned his death at his funeral and burial at Mt. Hertzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem today.

The residents of Metula, an Israeli town right near the border with Lebanon, were told by authorities to seek shelter.

10:58 am
Fist fights broke out in Seattle, Washington, between flagwaving supporters of Israel and supporters of Hamas.

10:52 am
UK PM Rishi Sunak says Britain is "poised" to help Israel militarily if asked for assisted. Pledging to provide security, diplomatic, and intelligence support, the premier said that the UK has not ruled out an evacuation of British subjects. He is convening an emergency cabinet meeting today. Home Secretary Suella Braverman said police are expected to “use the full force of the law” against displays of support for Hamas. Speaking on October 8, Braverman spoke after Hamas supporters were seen celebrating the attack on Israel over the weekend.  Police patrols have been increased in areas of north London where many members of the  Jewish community are based. 

9:57 am
An American embassy spokesperson in Israel declared that "at this point we can confirm the death of nine American citizens. We send our deepest condolences to the victims and the families of all those affected." He noted: "We continue to closely monitor the situation and remain in contact with our Israeli partners and the local authorities. We are in contact with the families and provide all appropriate consular assistance."

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he was “very disappointed” by China's failure to strongly condemn the recent Hamas attack on Israel and show sympathy for the country and its people. Schumer is leading a delegation of six senators to China this week.

9:20 am
Itay and Hadar Berdichevsky hid their 10-month-old twins in a covert shelter as Hamas terrorists were assaulting their home. Both were murdered by Hamas. Their children were found alive by Israeli soldiers 12 hours later

9:15 am
Shani Louk, a 30-y.o. German Jewish mother of a 5-y.o. son was shot to death at a music festival on October 7 by Hamas terrorists. She was reportedly stripped and her body paraded through the streets of Gaza by Hamas. Locals spat on her body. Her body was identified in videos seen by her parents. The Washington Post reports on other such abductions of children, women, and elderly. Israeli soldiers are being summarily shot to death after surrendering to Hamas forces or while wounded. 

9:01 am
A video appearing on social media purportedly shows a Hamas terrorist with an abducted Israeli toddler girl. There are reports women and girls have been raped and killed by the terrorists.

8:53 am
Hundreds of protesters marched in Sydney, Australia, after Israel formally declared war against Hamas in response to its surprise attack on Oct 7. 

Organized by Palestine Action Group Sydney, attendees marched from the town hall to Sydney's famed Opera House on Monday arriving at 7 pm local time. Meanwhile, the landmark building was illuminated in blue and white in solidarity with besieged Israel. 

Greens MP Jenny Leong said the tribute to Israel was “appalling” and added: “What about all of the Palestinian lives lost since occupation?” For his part, PM Anthony Albanese called for calm, telling local media: “I absolutely believe [the march] should not [go ahead]. I think people need to really take a step back

8:37 am
Summary:

Israeli has deployed troops against possible infiltration from Lebanon, which local media says took place near the center of the international border. “A report was received regarding the infiltration of a number of suspects into Israeli territory from Lebanese territory. IDF soldiers are deployed in the area,” said a military statement. Israel’s Army Radio gave the location as near Adamit, across from the Lebanese border towns of Aalma El Chaeb and Zahajra. Later reports claimed that two combatants were killed after crossing into Israel.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 560 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes, 2,900 wounded. Drone footage shows extent of damage caused by dozens of IAF bombing raids. A mosque and apartment buildings were among the targets. Several leading Hamas military figures were reportedly killed in the strikes.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said  Israel is “in control” of all communities and at the moment there is no fighting inside Israe. An evacuation is under way of all border towns. 

The IAF is making bombing sorties every four hours, striking hundreds of targets. Israel is only targeting places where terrorists are present, the spokesman said.

Israel is also on high alert in the north. There have been some local incidents reported in the north yesterday, but there is no fighting.

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel is imposing a “complete siege” on Gaza. “There is no electricity, there is no food, there is no water, there is no fuel,” he said.
Israeli airstrikes have hit the Jabalia camp in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 50 people, Al Jazeera reported.

With US input, Qatari mediators are negotiating with Hamas to free Israeli women and children in Gaza in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israel’s prisons. The number of Israeli hostages held by the terrorists is not yet clear.

Tomorrow, the EU will hold an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers in Oman. A EU spokesperson said that none of the €200 million in financial assistance for the Palestinian people granted this year went to Hamas, but has not had dialogue with Hamas since 2007.“The priority right now is for the aggression by Hamas to stop. The hostages need to be released, and we need to see the overall escalation of the situation ended. Ministers are going to discuss the position on next steps of the European Union in all the aspects,” said a spokesperson for EU foreign representative Josep Borrell.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said negotiations on a two-state solution are the only way forward once hostilities have ended.

Austria is suspending aid amounting to about €19m (£16.5m, $20m) for Palestinians, said foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg.

Arab League Chief Ahmed About Gheit, in a meeting with Russian FM Lavrov said Israel can expect more wars if it does not change its policy toward Palestine. 

According to Tass, Lavrov said. “We confirmed our position on the unacceptability of any violence, the unacceptability of causing damage and death to civilians, no matter what side they are on, and the unacceptability of taking women and children hostage. The League and the Russian Federation, in parallel, call for an immediate cessation of any hostilities, any violence and a transition to negotiations.”

8:30 am
800 Israelis have been killed. 
2,500 Israeli have been injured.
Over 130 hostages in Gaza.

8:23 am
The IDF announced that military reservists have been called to active duty, increasing from 100K to more than 300K.

The IDF announced this morning that all settlements and facilities near the Gaza Strip border have been secured. While there is no active fighting currently, the IDF believes terrorists are still in-country.

Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant has ordered a “Total Siege” of the Gaza Strip that bars food, fuel, and electricity to the enclave. Gallant further stated, “We are Fighting with Human Animals and we will act accordingly.”

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were noted in Washington DC, New York City, Sydney Australia, Barcelona Spain, Rotterdam Netherlands, and Cologne Germany.
 

October 9