The UN Security Council finally passed a resolution calling for a pause in the fighting. It took five tries to get acceptable wording. The main block was that the earlier proposed resolutions condemned Israel, but not Hamas. Shows how far most of the world is out of touch with reality.
The diplomatic channel is reported to be close to an agreement involving release of hostages by Hamas. The people involved have obviously worked very hard to achieve this, but it doesn’t look like an achievement to me. Hamas is apparently willing to release 50 women and children in return for a package deal involving a 5 day halt in Israeli actions, resupply for Hamas (officially: “humanitarian” aid involving food, water, medical supplies, FUEL, and electricity) and a parallel release of security prisoners from Israeli imprisonment (not including anyone involved in an incident where someone was killed). My personal feeling is that any such deal really ought to include release of ALL hostages, and nothing should be promised in return. I believe that is what is required by international law. But Hamas can always be relied upon to drag out negotiations and ask for more concessions. I don’t know if there are provisions for ensuring that Hamas will actually carry out what they say they have agreed to do. Past performance seems to indicate that they won’t.
CNN, France 24, and others have been given video footage of some of what IDF forces have found in Al-Rantisi and Al-Shifa hospitals. Their reporters (or editors) have seen fit to make comments about the “evidence” not being “conclusive” while casting doubt on the source. They don’t do that when airing material from Hamas. Why not? Footage showing Israeli soldier delivering incubators and other medical supplies to Al-Shifa has been shown either without explanatory comment or with mention that there is doubt about the reliability of the data. I have no such doubts. More people get their DISINFORMATION from CNN than from any other source.
The Israeli Embassy in Belgium offered to screen film showing the extent of the original October 7th massacre. The Belgian government vetoed the event. Alternate arrangements are being made to show it. Is Belgium trying to become a supporter of terrorism?
Wetherhorn 