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☆ Hamas hostages: what we know so far
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Israel has responded by pounding Gaza with air strikes, killing thousands, and has said it will act to free the hostages while wiping out Hamas. Hamas has suggested the hostages could be swapped for approximately 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Israel has said that there will be no end to the blockade of the enclave without freedom for Israeli hostages. Israel says the hostages were taken to Gaza but their exact whereabouts within the enclave are unknown, making their rescue more complicated. U.S. President Joe Biden said his administration is "workin’ like hell" to find American hostages held by Hamas.

Persons: Rachel Goldberg, Hersh Goldberg Polin, Ammar Awad, Israel, Kan, Mia Schem, Jake Sullivan, Jim Risch, Alberto Fernandez, Rishi Sunak's, Sunak, Ofir Engel, Kibbutz Be'eri, Garcovich, Ivan Illaramendi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gal Hirsch, Hakan Fidan, Joe Biden, Britain's Sunak, Argentina's Fernandez, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Biden, Charlie Devereux, Crispian Balmer, Kylie MacLellan, Patricia Rua, John Irish, James Mackenzie, Patricia Zengerle, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, Monday, Reuters, U.S, French, Tel Aviv . U.S, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Jerusalem, Rafah, Egypt, Thailand, Argentine, France, Portugal, Portuguese, Chilean, Spanish, Italy, Turkey, Germany, U.S, Franco, Berlin, Tel Aviv

☆ U.S. Navy Warship Near Yemen Intercepted Projectiles -Pentagon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Idrees Ali and Costas Pitas(Reuters) -A U.S. Navy warship on Thursday intercepted three cruise missiles and several drones launched by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement from Yemen potentially toward Israel, the Pentagon said. Washington is on heightened alert for activity by Iran-backed groups as regional tensions soar during the Israel-Hamas war. The Pentagon said the destroyer USS Carney was operating in the northern Red Sea on Thursday when it brought down the projectiles and there were no injuries. "We cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel," Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it did not appear that the warship was the target.

Persons: Idrees Ali, Costas Pitas, Carney, Patrick Ryder, Doina Chiacu, Cynthia Osterman, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S . Navy, Pentagon, U.S Locations: Iran, Yemen, Israel, Washington, U.S

A view of a Nvidia logo at their headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan May 31, 2023. U.S. officials asked for input in devising a "tamperproof" way to keep systems that might contain up to 256 AI chips from being strung together into a supercomputer. The other primary gift that U.S. officials gave Nvidia, Intel and AMD was hobbling their most capable Chinese competitors. New rules will make it nearly impossible for Moore Threads and Biren, two well-funded Chinese startups founded by Nvidia veterans, to have their designs manufactured using cutting-edge chipmaking technology. That means whatever Nvidia is able to sell to China will likely be Chinese buyers' best legal option.

Persons: Ann Wang, ChatGPT, Thomas Krueger, They're, Moore, Piper Sandler, Dan Hutcheson, Japan's, Clete Willems, Akin Gump, Gregory Allen, David Kanter, Stephen Nellis, Max A, Kenneth Li, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, FRANCISCO, Biden, Nvidia, Intel, Devices, U.S . Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S . National Security Council, BIS, AMD, Japan's Nikon, U.S, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Real, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, China, U.S, Netherlands, Japan, San Francisco

Israel and the U.S. said the cause was a failed rocket launch by anti-Israeli Palestinian militants in Gaza who denied responsibility. Amid fears the conflict could spread beyond Gaza, Biden had planned to meet Arab leaders. But Jordan called off his planned summit there with Egypt and the Palestinian Authority after the hospital blast. During Biden's visit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel would let food, water and medicines reach southern Gaza via Egypt. En route to Washington, Biden told reporters he was blunt with Israel about the need to facilitate aid to Gaza.

Persons: Dilara, Lior Haiat, Joe Biden, Abdel Fattah El, Biden, Sisi, John Kirby, Jordan, Martin Griffiths, Rishi Sunak, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Israel, West Bank . Mark Negev, Netanyahu, that's, Nidal, Steve Holland, Cynthia Osterman, Howard Goller Organizations: Consulate, Hamas, REUTERS, Biden, Gaza UN, TEL, U.S ., Palestinian, Israel's Foreign Ministry, Palestinian West Bank, West Bank, Wednesday, Palestinian Authority, Security, House, British, United Nations, West Bank . Mark, CNN, Aboard Air Force, Thomson Locations: Israel, Istanbul, Turkey, Egypt, Gaza, TEL AVIV, GAZA, U.S, Ahli, Arabi, Israeli, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Ukraine, Rafah, Washington, United States, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/TEL AVIV, Oct 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's White House is wrestling with thorny security and political challenges as officials consider a potential trip to Israel that may hold longer-term diplomatic advantages for Biden. A visit would, however, grant Biden fresh leverage to influence events on the ground and bolster his image at home. Highlighting the unique security risks facing a Biden trip, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Israel for meetings, was forced to take shelter in a bunker for five minutes with Netanyahu when sirens went off in Tel Aviv during their meeting. Forty-one percent of respondents said they agreed with a statement that "the U.S. should support Israel" in its conflict with Hamas, while just 2% said the U.S. should support the Palestinians. Biden has visited Israel 10 times, first as a senator in 1973, before the Yom Kippur War involving Israel, Egypt and Syria.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Biden, Adrienne Watson, Netanyahu, Kirsten Fontenrose, Antony Blinken, Olaf Scholz, Jon Alterman, Alterman, Mahmoud Abbas, Alon Pinkas, Ehud Barak, Richard Nixon, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Matt Spetalnick, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Israeli, General Assembly, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Biden, Israel, National Security, U.S, Atlantic Council, Presidential, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Service, Republicans, Reuters, Democratic, Gaza, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, TEL AVIV, Israel, Washington's, East, Iran, Hezbollah, Syria, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Lebanon, GAZA, Colorado, Egypt, Washington

Iran, which backs Hamas, refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a "resistance front." Diplomatic efforts have concentrated on getting aid into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the sole route out that is not controlled by Israel. While tens of thousands have fled south, the United Nations says there is no way to move so many people without causing a humanitarian catastrophe. According to the United Nations, a million Gazans have already been driven from their homes. The Kremlin readout of the call did not include any mention of the ceasefire Russia was trying to achieve by putting forward a resolution in the United Nations Security Council.

Persons: Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Israel Russia's Putin, Israel's Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, gunning, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Amirabdollahian, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ebrahim Raisi, Israel, Netanyahu, Biden, Adrienne Watson, Khaled Meshaal, Vladimir Putin, Moscow, Putin, Abu Dahoud, Nidal al, Bassam Massoud, Nuha Sharaf, Ari Rabinovitch, Dan Williams, Henriette Chacar, Dedi, Maayan Lubell, Emily Rose, James Mackenzie, John Davison, Parisa, Humeyra Pamuk, Hatem Maher, Ahmed Tolba, Omar Abdel, Trevor Hunnicutt, Nandita Bose, Rami Ayyub, Katharine Jackson, Michelle Nichols, David Brunnstrom, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, Diplomats, Gaza, U.S, Tel Aviv . Iranian, Zionist, Israel, National Security, Hezbollah, Nations, United Nations, Pentagon, United Nations Security Council, Palestinian Authority, Thomson Locations: Gaza, GAZA, JERUSALEM, WASHINGTON, Israel, Tel Aviv, Iran, Hamas, Israel's, Jerusalem, United States, Lebanon, Tehran, Egypt, Cairo, Rafah, Washington's, Syria, Lebanese, Russian, Russia, Dubai, Razek, Washington

☆ US grand strategy can prop up the global order
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Hugo Dixon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But the United States can prevent the rules-based order from collapsing if it keeps steering a steady course with regards to Russia and China. If the United States holds firm on its grand strategy, any new geopolitical risks should be similarly contained. One explanation for the current outbreak of crises is that the United States is weaker and more internally divided than it was during the so-called “Pax Americana” era. It could easily drop down the United States’ list of priorities, says Michel Duclos, a former French diplomat who is a fellow at the Paris-based Institut Montaigne. He will struggle to unite the U.S.’s allies as he is not a champion of either the NATO military alliance or the rules-based global order.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Mike Segar, Vladimir Putin, –, Biden, David Hannay, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ”, Jake Sullivan, Michel Duclos, Putin, ’, Peter Thal Larsen, Oliver Taslic, Thomas Shum Organizations: Democratic, Belmont University, REUTERS, Reuters, U.S, Reuters Graphics Reuters, United Nations Charter, –, Montaigne, Kyiv, Trump, NATO, Thomson Locations: coronavirus, Nashville , Tennessee, U.S, Israel, Gaza, United States, Russia, China, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Korea, Vietnam, Soviet, Soviet Union, Iraq, Washington, China’s, Taiwan, Africa, Azerbaijan, Europe, Asia, India, Saudi Arabia, French, Paris, Beijing, Japan, South Korea

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/TEL AVIV, Oct 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's White House is wrestling with a host of thorny security and political challenges as officials plot a potential trip to Israel that may hold longer-term diplomatic advantages for Biden. The White House declined to comment on any planning for the trip. Biden's trip could be interpreted as support for Netanyahu's political and military choices, but it could also give Biden fresh leverage to influence events on the ground. "It's very, very sensitive and the White House is working through very sensitive areas," Pinkas said. Biden has visited Israel 10 times, first as a senator in 1973, before the Yom Kippur War involving Israel, Egypt and Syria.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Biden, Adrienne Watson, Netanyahu, Richard Nixon, Olaf Scholz, Jon Alterman, Alterman, Mahmoud Abbas, Alon Pinkas, Ehud Barak, Pinkas, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Matt Spetalnick, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Israeli, General Assembly, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Biden, Israel, National Security, Ben, Presidential, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Democratic, Gaza, Palestinian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, TEL AVIV, Israel, Washington's, East, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ben Gurion, Lebanon, Ukraine, Egypt, Syria, Washington

Israel said it has already struck dozens of military targets, including command centers and rocket launchers, and also killed Hamas commanders. The Israeli military also reported shooting at one of its border posts. Gaza was already in a humanitarian crisis due to a growing shortage of water and medical supplies caused by the Israeli siege. Israel’s minister of energy and water, Israel Katz, said in a statement that water had been restored at one “specific point” in Gaza. Hamas urged people to stay in their homes, and the Israeli military released photos it said showed a Hamas roadblock preventing traffic from moving south.

Persons: KHAN YOUNIS, Israel, It's, Juliette Touma, ’, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Biden, Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah, David Satterfield, Jake Sullivan, Khan Younis, Mohammed Qandeel, ”, Hussam Abu Safiya, Kamal Adwan, ” Ahmed Al, Philippe Lazzarini, Sullivan, Israel Katz, Daniel Hagari, ___ Kullab, Nessman, Julia Frankel, Amy Teibel, Abby Sewell, Samy Magdy Organizations: Gaza Health Ministry, United Nations, U.S . State Department, Israel, Gaza, National News Agency, Reuters, Nasser Hospital, Kamal, World Health Organization, CNN, Hamas, Associated Press Locations: Gaza, Israel, U.S, Egypt, Syria, United, Lebanon, Israeli, Kfar Kila, Lebanese, Shtula, Turkey, Middle East, Hospitals, Khan, “, Gaza City, Rafah, Baghdad, Jerusalem, Beirut, Cairo

The newest U.S. aircraft carrier - and the world's largest - is already in the eastern Mediterranean and set to be joined by a second U.S. aircraft carrier in the next 10 days. While the White House says there are "no plans or intentions" for their use, it means U.S. military assets would be in place to provide air support to protect U.S. national security interests if needed. The U.S. also has an array of bases in the Middle East with troops, fighter aircraft and warships. "That said, we take our national security interests seriously and we have ample military force in the region to protect and defend those interests as needed," Kirby added. Any decision to launch military action in the Middle East would come from U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democract, himself.

Persons: Gerald R, Ford, haven't, Antony Blinken, Israel, Hossein Amirabdollahian, John Kirby, Kirby, Joe Biden, Lindsey Graham, Hezbolllah, Lloyd Austin, We've, Austin, Nandita Bose, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Idrees Ali, Michelle Nichols, Sandra Maler Organizations: USNS Laramie, U.S Naval Forces, U.S . Sixth Fleet, Hamas, aircraft, U.S, United Nations, White House, Reuters, Sunday, . Defense, United, Biden, Thomson Locations: U.S Naval Forces Europe, WASHINGTON, CAIRO, United States, Israel, Palestinian, Iran, U.S, Cairo, New York, Gaza, Lebanon, Lebanese, White

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives U.S. President Joe Biden at Al Salman Palace upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took his first phone call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as Riyadh tries to prevent a broader surge in violence across the region. "Normalisation was already considered taboo (in the Arab world) ... this war only amplifies that," Saudi analyst Aziz Alghashian said. Asked about Raisi's call with the crown prince, a senior U.S. State Department official said Washington was in "constant contact with Saudi leaders". "The Saudis are still convinced the region, and Saudi Arabia itself, needs to shift toward regional cooperation and economic development.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden, Ebrahim Raisi, Israel, Normalisation, Aziz Alghashian, Abraham, Jake Sullivan, Washington, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Raisi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Antony Blinken, Alex Vatanka, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Tom Perry, Michael Georgy, Edmund Blair Organizations: Al, Saudi Royal Court, REUTERS, U.S, Hamas, normalisation, Saudi, Abraham Accords, United Arab Emirates, U.S . National Security, White, Saudi Foreign, Reuters, U.S . State Department, Middle East Institute, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bandar, Iran RIYADH, Israel, Palestinian, Iran, Riyadh, U.S, East, Gaza, Gulf, Iranian, Palestine, Yemen, Lebanese, Tehran, Washington

☆ Listen: Israel Orders Evacuation of Civilians in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Israel has ordered a mass evacuation in Gaza ahead of what Israeli Defense Forces call significant combat operations. In the latest edition of the What's News podcast, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby explains how American officials are pushing for safe-passage options out of Gaza. Luke Vargas hosts.

Persons: Israel, John Kirby, Luke Vargas Organizations: Israeli Defense Forces, What's, . National Security Locations: Gaza

Rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as seen from near Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel, October 12, 2023. Military experts said this week that photos from the conflict showed Hamas militants may be using North Korean weapons, including possible F-7 rocket-propelled grenades. The North's official KCNA news agency called the claims of its weapons being used in the attacks "a groundless and false rumour". U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Thursday said he could not confirm the reports about the source of the rockets being used by Hamas. North Korea's state media earlier this week blamed Israel for causing bloodshed in Gaza.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Israel, Bruce Bechtol, Joost Oliemans, Stijn Mitzer, John Kirby, Kirby, Jack Kim, Michael Perry Organizations: Rockets, REUTERS, Rights, North, Angelo State University in, Israeli Defense Force, . National Security, United, Palestinian, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Israel's, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Washington, Angelo State University in Texas, Iran, Syria, United States, Korean

☆ US must be ready for simultaneous wars with China, Russia, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Jonathan Landay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The report from the Strategic Posture Commission comes amid tensions with China over Taiwan and other issues and worsening frictions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. A senior official involved in the report declined to say if the panel's intelligence briefings showed any Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons cooperation. The report contrasts with U.S. President Joe Biden's position that the current U.S. nuclear arsenal is sufficient to deter the combined forces of Russia and China. "The United States and its allies must be ready to deter and defeat both adversaries simultaneously," the Strategic Posture Commission said. It should also extend the operational lives of ballistic missile submarines and deploy more tactical nuclear weapons in Asia and Europe.

Persons: Ian Dudley, Madelyn, Jon Kyl, Joe Biden's, Jonathan Landay, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Minuteman, Daylight, Vandenberg Air Force Base, . Air Force, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, Thomson Locations: California, U.S, Handout, United States, Russia, China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russian, Asia, Europe

☆ US Must Be Ready for Simultaneous Wars With China, Russia, Report Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Jonathan LandayWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States must prepare for possible simultaneous wars with Russia and China by expanding its conventional forces, strengthening alliances and enhancing its nuclear weapons modernization program, a congressionally appointed bipartisan panel said on Thursday. The report from the Strategic Posture Commission comes amid tensions with China over Taiwan and other issues and worsening frictions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. A senior official involved in the report declined to say if the panel's intelligence briefings showed any Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons cooperation. "The United States and its allies must be ready to deter and defeat both adversaries simultaneously," the Strategic Posture Commission said. If such measures are not taken, the United States "will likely" have to increase its reliance on nuclear weapons, the report said.

Persons: Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON, Madelyn, Jon Kyl, Kyl, Joe Biden's, Jonathan Landay, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Democratic, Republican, Arms Control Association, Pentagon, Columbia Locations: United States, Russia, China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russian, U.S, Asia, Europe

☆ What the U.S. Has Promised Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

The first plane carrying advanced U.S. weapons landed at an air base in southern Israel, the Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday. They are expected to reach the Mediterranean Sea in roughly two weeks, defense officials said, potentially putting two aircraft carrier strike groups, or about a dozen warships, near Israel for a potential response to the crisis inside Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying ships arrived near Israel on Tuesday, the Pentagon announced. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday there were no current plans to send U.S. ground troops into Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier this week offered Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant planning and intelligence support from special-operations commandos to help Israel deal with a deepening hostage crisis.

Persons: Biden, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Gerald R, Jake Sullivan, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Austin, Gallant Organizations: U.S, Israel Defense Forces, Ford, Pentagon, Defense, Israeli Locations: Iran, Israel, U.S, Gaza

☆ Egypt discusses Gaza aid, rejects corridors for civilians, say sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Ahmed Mohamed Hassan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Palestinians inspect damages of a house hit by Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 11, 2023. Egypt has long restricted the flow of Gazans onto its territory, even during the fiercest conflicts. LIMITED CEASEFIREEgypt has been intensifying its efforts to contain the situation in Gaza, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a meeting in Cairo, a statement from Sisi's office said. According to the Egyptian security sources, talks between Egypt and the United States, Qatar and Turkey discussed the idea of delivering humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula under a geographically limited ceasefire. The crossing, which is the main exit point from Gaza not controlled by Israel, has been closed since Tuesday after Israeli bombardments hit on the Palestinian side, according to officials in Gaza and Egyptian sources.

Persons: Khan Younis, Abu Mustafa, Jake Sullivan, Abdel Fattah al, Sisi, Antonio Tajani, Tajani, Sameh Shoukry, Omar Abdel Razak, Ahmed Elimam, Aidan Lewis, Alison Williams, Toby Chopra Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, U.S . National, Italian, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Egypt, CAIRO, United States, Israel, Cairo, Qatar, Turkey, Europe

☆ Egypt Faces Pressure to Open Border to Refugees From Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Anas Baba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The mass displacement of civilians in Gaza is piling pressure on Egypt to open its border with the strip to allow refugees to flee, illustrating how the situation in Gaza and Israel threatens to spill over into a broader regional crisis. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that he discussed the possible creation of a humanitarian corridor with Egypt.

Persons: Jake Sullivan Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Israel, U.S

Flags of China and U.S. are displayed on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. rule that restricts shipments of certain advanced chips to China has been revised and is under final review, according to a government posting, suggesting that further curbs on chips that can be used for artificial intelligence are coming soon. Reuters exclusively reported last week that U.S. officials had warned China to expect rules restricting shipments of semiconductor equipment and advanced AI chips to China to be updated this month. The rule restricting exports of chipmaking equipment was posted for review last week, Reuters reported on Oct. 5. The regulation on controls on high-end chips, advanced computing integrated circuits (ICs), and supercomputing was received for review on Oct. 10, according to the Office of Management and Budget website.

Persons: Florence Lo, Karen Freifeld, Alexandra Alper, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, U.S . Department of Commerce, supercomputing, Management, Export, OMB, of State , Defense, Commerce, Energy, Thomson Locations: China, U.S

WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - The United States is talking to Israeli officials and others about the idea of a safe passage for Gaza civilians after Israel's air strikes following a deadly Hamas attack over the weekend, the U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday. "We are focused on this question, there are consultations going on," Sullivan told reporters in a White House press briefing. Israel has battered Palestinians with deadly air strikes in Gaza after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' attack on Israel on Saturday that left hundreds dead. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 830 Palestinians were killed and up to 4,250 wounded in Israeli air strikes on the blockaded enclave since Saturday. "We do not deliberately target civilians," Sullivan said of the U.S. and Israel, when asked about civilian casualties in Gaza in the Tuesday press briefing.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Sarah Silbiger, Gazans, Steve Holland, Costas Pitas, Kanishka Singh, Leslie Adler, Nick Zieminski Organizations: U.S, House, Hamas, Health, White, National, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, United Nations, Thomson Locations: United States, Gaza, Israel, Washington ,, Israel's, Washington

The surprise Hamas attack has dealt a blow to U.S. efforts to broker a landmark normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia and complicated Washington's approach toward Iran, Hamas' longtime benefactor. “Quite simply, all efforts at normalization are on hold for the foreseeable future,” said Jon Alterman, head of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, contradicting the official U.S. government line. Khaled Elgindy, a former Palestinian negotiations adviser, accused the Biden administration of leading an Israeli-Saudi normalization process that mostly bypassed the Palestinians and their hopes of ending Israeli occupation. “That sort of neglect is part of why we're seeing what we're seeing,” said Elgindy, now at the Middle East Institute. The immediate challenge is preventing the war from spiraling into a broader conflict, administration officials say, especially preventing the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah from opening a second front on Israel's northern border.

Persons: Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Israel, ”, Jon Alterman, John Kirby, “, ” Jonathan Panikoff, government’s, Khaled Elgindy, Elgindy, Panikoff, –, Netanyahu, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, David Brunnstrom, Steve Holland, Alexander Cornwell, Parisa, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Center for Strategic, International, White House National Security Council, Middle East Institute, Saudi, The Atlantic, Hezbollah, West Bank, Reuters, Atlantic Council, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Saudi, Gaza, Ukraine, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Israeli, Riyadh, Washington, Lebanese, IRAN, Dubai

☆ US Says It Is Talking to Israel About Safe Passage for Gaza Civilians
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Steve Holland and Kanishka SinghWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is talking to Israeli officials and others about the idea of a safe passage for Gaza civilians after Israel's air strikes following a deadly Hamas attack over the weekend, the U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday. Israel has battered Palestinians with deadly air strikes in Gaza after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' attack on Israel on Saturday that left hundreds dead. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 830 Palestinians were killed and up to 4,250 wounded in Israeli air strikes on the blockaded enclave since Saturday. Israel's embassy in Washington said the death toll from Hamas' weekend attacks had surpassed 1,000. "We do not deliberately target civilians," Sullivan said of the U.S. and Israel, when asked about civilian casualties in Gaza in the Tuesday press briefing.

Persons: Steve Holland, Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Gazans, Costas Pitas, Kanishka Singh, Leslie Adler, Nick Zieminski Organizations: U.S, House, Hamas, Health, United Nations Locations: United States, Gaza, Israel, Israel's, Washington

☆ Palestinian UN envoy accuses Israel of 'genocidal' campaign against Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Hamas militants carried out their deadliest attack in Israel's history on Saturday, when gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns, killing more than 1,000 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza. Israel has retaliated with air strikes on Gaza that have razed entire districts as it prepares for a possible ground offensive. Ambassador Gilad Erdan on Sunday accused Hamas of war crimes and said it was time to "obliterate Hamas terror infrastructure," as the 15-member U.N. Security Council met behind closed-doors on the conflict. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said he was "deeply distressed" by Israel's announcement of a complete siege on Gaza. "The humanitarian situation in Gaza was extremely dire before these hostilities; now it will only deteriorate exponentially," Guterres said.

Persons: H, Mansour, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Israel, Riyad Mansour, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gilad Erdan, U.N, Antonio Guterres, Guterres, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: Observer, United Nations, . Security, Council, UNITED NATIONS, Gaza, Hamas, Israel's, Reuters, Washington, Israeli, Security, Thomson Locations: Palestine, U.N, New York City , New York, U.S, Gaza, Israel

☆ Israel-Hamas war ratchets up pressure on Republicans to select House speaker in coming days
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A senior Biden administration official indicated to reporters on Saturday that the paralysis in the House could complicate U.S. efforts to support Israel. McCarthy, of California, was ousted by conservative Republicans last week, the first time a House speaker was deposed in a no-confidence vote in U.S. history. McCarthy told Fox News on Saturday that there is nothing the House can do until the body elects a speaker: "I don't know if that happens quickly," McCarthy said. House Republicans are expected to vote for a candidate to replace McCarthy on Wednesday morning. The Florida Republican said House Republicans will coalesce around Scalise or Jordan this week: "I reject the premise that this is going to drag on for weeks," Gaetz said.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan of, Jordan, Scalise, Hakeem Jeffries, Michael McCaul, McCaul, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Gerald R, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy's speakership, Gaetz Organizations: United, United States Capitol, Washington D.C, Biden, Republicans, Israel, Hamas, Fox News, House Republicans, GOP, Rep, House Foreign Affairs, CNN, NBC News Sunday, Ford, Pentagon . Defense, Sunday, Israel Defense Forces, Florida Republican, NBC News Locations: United States, Washington, Israel, California, Louisiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Gaza, New York, Texas, Ohio, U.S, Florida, Scalise, Jordan

☆ Biden, Macron, others have voiced support for Israel following deadly Hamas attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

US President Joe Biden addresses the terrorist attacks in Israel from the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2023. President Joe Biden on Saturday detailed a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he expressed support for Israel after the deadly attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. "I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel. According to Netanyahu's office, the Prime Minister also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Saturday, both of whom "expressed full support for Israel's right to defend itself." In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the attacks and voiced support for Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, Magen David Adom, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Antony Blinken, Blinken Organizations: White, Israeli, Israel, Palestinian, Hamas, Government, Terrorism, Saturday, U.S, Gaza, Palestinian Health Ministry, Minister's, Dutch, European Union Locations: Israel, Washington ,, United States

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