I’m still hearing about hostage release talks, but the reported red line positions of both Hamas and Israel seem just as far apart as ever. Hamas wants to survive and stay in power and Israel wants them gone. It doesn’t seem to me that there is much room for negotiations. In the north, Hezbollah fired … More Gaza War 25 Jan
The media is full of speculation about possible hostage release deals today. Part of it is fueled by some official statements from parties who seem to have a special interest in putting an end to the fighting. It’s an admirable desire, but the rumors, so far, don’t appear to have much substance to back them … More Gaza War 24 Jan
This morning it’s time for a comparison. How does the UN handle the crises in Gaza and Sudan? The Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has been making daily statements calling on Israel to stop the war, and to grant Palestinian statehood. He hasn’t mentioned Hamas as being responsible for initiating the hostilities. He has also barely … More Gaza War 22 Jan
The sad news released last night was that 4 hostages were killed while held by Hamas, apparently by Israeli strikes that killed a Hamas division commander. Hamas may not have dropped the bomb, but I see them as entirely responsible; first, because the hostages should have been released over 3 months ago, and second, because … More Gaza War 18 Jan
Following yesterday’s successful terrorist attack inside Israel, It seems Hamas is trying to create another front to distract Israeli attention from Gaza. If that is what Hamas is trying to do, it isn’t exactly a roaring success. Israeli intelligence picked up information on another terror squad on the West Bank that was about to drive … More Gaza War 17 Jan
There are over 50 warships in the Red Sea – Persian Gulf – Indian Ocean area. The US and UK have attacked Yemeni/Houthi installations involved in interfering with merchant shipping in the area. The response, so far, has been for the Houthis to threaten the Americans, Iran even got into the picture by seizing a … More Gaza War 14 Jan
I intended to write about the ICC in The Hague yesterday, but was overtaken by events. This afternoon South Africa will present the case against Israel, centered on an accusation of genocide. I believe the real reason that this is happening is because the US has vetoed attempts by the Security Council to demand a … More Gaza War 11 Jan
The war in Gaza is not over. It has, however, moved into new phases. While US Secretary of State Blinken is hopping around the region trying to keep the war from expanding into something bigger, Israel has been releasing reservists to return to civilian life and changing focus for the IDF in 2 of the … More Gaza War 9 Jan
The shift in operations by the IDF is becoming more and more obvious. Not only have many reservists been pulled out to be released from combat duty, but the pace of operations has become much slower in parts of Gaza. The search for hostages and for Hamas leaders continues in the southern sector. There are … More Gaza War 8 Jan
There are times when I am shocked by the lack of knowledge and understanding exhibited by people whom I thought knew better. The lead reporters on CNN are among them. CNN has been trotting out UNRWA representatives to tell their viewers how Gaza in “uninhabitable”, and on the verge of health and food crises and … More Gaza War 7 Jan
Wetherhorn 