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President Joe Biden is expected to travel to Israel on Wednesday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – a visit rife with risk and one that projects the depth of America’s commitment to support Israel while underscoring the precarious state of affairs in the Middle East. Biden was originally invited to Egypt over the weekend to participate in a summit to discuss the future of Palestinians. Blinken also announced late Monday that the U.S. reached an agreement with Israel about how to do just that – though details were scarce. The Israel Defense Forces began staging tanks and troops along the Gaza border on Thursday and ordered roughly 1 million residents to evacuate Gaza City on Friday. Over the weekend, Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters exchanged rocket fire that left at least seven people dead, including four members of Hezbollah.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu –, Israel, Antony Blinken, ” Netanyahu, Biden, John Kirby, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Mahmoud Abbas, Abdul Fattah El, Sisi, Blinken, ” Blinken, we’ll, Lloyd Austin, Gerald R, Ford, Dwight D Organizations: White House, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, Defense Department, Lebanon’s, Lebanon . Defense, Israel, Eisenhower Locations: Israel, States, Gaza, Jordan, Egypt, U.S, Tel Aviv, Gaza City, Lebanon’s Iran, Lebanon

☆ Biden says US troops don't need to be deployed into Israel, but guarantees to 'provide them everything they need'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden doesn't think US troops need to be sent to Israel. In a 60 Minutes interview, Biden said "Israel has one of the finest fighting forces." Biden also said the US would support Israel by giving them "everything they need." AdvertisementAdvertisementPresident Joe Biden doesn't think the US needs to deploy troops into Israel. Israel has one of the finest fighting forces in the country," Biden told 60 Minutes' Scott Pelley in an interview that aired on Sunday.

Persons: Joe Biden doesn't, Biden, —, Scott Pelley, Biden's, John Kirby, Kirby, Pelley, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant Organizations: Service, White, National Security, Fox News, Hamas, Palestinian, Pentagon, US Navy, Defense, Israel, ISIS, Civilian Locations: Israel, States, Gaza

The security risks of a diplomatic visit to Israel were starkly illustrated Monday when Blinken, in his meeting with Netanyahu, was forced to shelter in place after air sirens warned of incoming rockets. Biden, he said, “very much looks forward to discussing it further” during his visit. A visit with ‘strategic importance’In weighing Netanyahu’s invitation with his team, Biden factored in both the symbolism of a visit and its practicalities. Before war in Israel broke out, Biden and Netanyahu were planning to visit in person again at the White House, a personal invitation Biden extended when the two last met in New York City. Speaking to reporters Monday, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said a visit by Biden would have “strategic importance” for the entire Middle East.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Israel “, King Abdullah II, Abdel Fattah el, Mahmoud Abbas, –, Netanyahu, they’d, John Kirby, ” Blinken, “, we’ll, ”, Biden –, Daniel Hagari, Volodymyr Zelensky, White, Netanyahu –, Jake Sullivan, Israel –, ” Sullivan, Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi Organizations: CNN, White, Biden’s, Palestinian, National Security, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, USA, ”, CBS, Saudi Crown Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, United States, Jordan, Egypt, Rafah, Iran, Lebanon, New York City, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Tehran, Saudi Arabia, Israel’s

☆ Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday as war with Hamas drags into its second week
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden gestures as he boards Air Force One at Delaware Air National Guard Base, in New Castle, Delaware, U.S., April 25, 2022. WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday in an effort to mitigate the expansion of the war between Israel and Hamas. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on a call Monday evening that Biden's travel to Israel was thoroughly evaluated, adding that the "security situation is certainly tense." While in Jordan, Kirby said Biden will discuss regional security, the release of hostages held by Hamas and humanitarian needs for the people in Gaza. "We certainly want to see that humanitarian assistance begin to flow as soon as possible," Kirby said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Biden, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Read, Juliette Touma, Touma, John Kirby, Netanyahu, Kirby, King Abdullah II bin Al, Hussein, Abdel Fattah El, Mahmoud Abbas Organizations: Air Force, Delaware Air National Guard Base, WASHINGTON, U.S, Embassy, Israeli, United Nations, Communications, United Nations Relief Works Agency, National Security, Palestinian Locations: New Castle , Delaware, U.S, Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Amman, Jordan

An Israeli Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) is obscured as it whips up dust near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel October 15, 2023. Gaza authorities say more than 2,200 people have been killed there, a quarter of them children. Iran has spoken of "far reaching consequences" if Israel's "war crimes and genocide" are not stopped. The message came late on Saturday after Axios reported that Tehran had told Israel - in a message sent via the U.N. - that it would have to respond if Israel carries out its expected ground offensive. He also said he wanted to make sure the civilian population that remained in Gaza had access to food, water and safe shelter, telling CNN that Israeli officials recently restored access to water in parts of Gaza.

Persons: Ronen, Axios, Jake Sullivan, John Kirby, Sullivan, Joe Biden, Biden, Lindsey Graham, Abdel Fattah El, State Anthony Blinken, Nandita Bose, Katharine Jackson, Christopher Bing, Raphael Satter, Lisa Shumaker, Heather Timmons, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Carrier, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, White House, CBS, White House National Security, Fox News, White, Republican, State, Department, NBC, CNN, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Lebanese, Iran, Tehran, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, U.S, Washington

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

☆ U.S. says North Korea delivered 1,000 containers of equipment and munitions to Russia for Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Vladimir Smirnov | Afp | Getty ImagesThe White House said on Friday that North Korea has delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia for its ongoing war in Ukraine. The containers were shipped between Sept. 7 and Oct. 1 between Najin, North Korea, and Dunay, Russia, according to the White House. It threatened to respond in line with its escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorizes the preemptive use of nuclear weapons. The U.S. has accused North Korea of previously providing ammunition, artillery shells and rockets to Russia. After decades of hot-and-cold relations, Russia and North Korea have drawn closer since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, Vladimir Smirnov, Kim Jong Un, John Kirby, Kim, Kirby, Putin Organizations: North, Vostochny, Afp, Getty, White, National Security, Democratic People's, Korean Central News Agency, The, Strategic, International Studies Locations: Amur, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, North Korean, Russian, Najin, North Korea, Dunay, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Pyongyang, U.S, South Korea, Moscow, Washington, United States

☆ Ukraine feels the strain amid 'very heated' fighting in Avdiivka as Russia presses on with new Donbas offensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Fighting in Avdiivka, near Ukraine's eastern front, has entered the fifth day. In the north-east of Ukraine, a top general said the fighting had also "significantly worsened." download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . It is very heated, very heated," he said, per the AFP. The White House said Friday that Russia has resumed employing the so-called "human wave" tactic in its war against Ukraine.

Persons: —, Vitaliy Barabash, Barabash, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, Russia's, John Kirby Organizations: AFP, Service, Agence France, Independent, Reuters, Ukraine, National Security Council Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine's, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Alabino, Moscow, Russia, Kupiansk, Makiivka, Donetsk Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast

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

☆ 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

☆ Gaza: Israel calls on 1.1 million people to evacuate south in order UN warns is 'impossible'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Helen Regan Caitlin Hu Mohammed Tawfeeq Akanksha Sharma Nadeen Ebrahim | Helen Regan | Caitlin Hu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Gaza City is part of the coastal strip and is particularly crowded. A man reacts outside a burning collapsed building following Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11. Atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel last weekend sparked international revulsion and escalated the decades-old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas militants breached the heavily-fortified border in a coordinated assault, indiscriminately killing men, women and children, and taking as many as 150 hostages back to Gaza. An IDF Artillery solider covers his ears as a shell is fired toward Gaza on October 11, near Netivot, Israel.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, “, Stephane Dujarric, Dujarric, Mohammed Abed, Israel, Christos Christou, Said Khatib, Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt, Israel “, ”, Biden, John Kirby, Jonathan Conricus, Israel Katz, ” Katz, Khan Yunis, paragliders, IDF Artillery solider, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Antony Blinken, Young, Blinken, unprofessionally ”, CNN Basim Naim, Al, Kfar Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, UN, United Nations, Palestinian Health Ministry, UN Relief and Works Agency, Health, World Health Organization, Getty Images, Foreign Affairs, White House National Security, Israel Defense Force, CNN, Palestinian, Getty, IDF Artillery Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, Israel, Gaza City, Wadi Gaza, Egypt, AFP, Rafah, Netivot, Israeli, Kfar Aza, Be’eri

☆ Russia is bringing back its bloody 'human wave' tactics, throwing poorly trained troops into a massive new assault in eastern Ukraine, White House says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Sonam Sheth | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The White House said Russia has resumed using bloody tactics in its war against Ukraine. It involves throwing "masses of poorly trained soldiers right into the battlefield without proper equipment" John Kirby said. Kirby also said that North Korea sent Russia 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe White House said Friday that Russia has resumed employing the so-called "human wave" tactic in its war against Ukraine. But he said Russia's decision to resume human wave tactics is "a sobering reminder that Russia is not prepared to give up on this fight.

Persons: John Kirby, Kirby, —, Russia's, It's, Biden, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: Service, Ukraine, National Security Council, Pentagon, Russia, Russian, Moscow Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Korea, United States, Ukrainian, Donbas, North Korea, DPRK

☆ White House: Israel's call to move Gaza civilians is "a tall order"
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An Israeli tank takes up position near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 13, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Israel's call for more than 1 million civilians in northern Gaza to move within 24 hours is going to be a "tall order," although the United States was not second-guessing the decision, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Friday. "We understand what they're trying to do and why they're trying to do this -- to try to isolate the civilian population from Hamas, which is their real target," he added. "We do support safe passage out of Gaza, and certainly that includes the ability for people to move safely inside Gaza. Kirby said he could not confirm Hamas' assertion that 13 captives were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza in the last 24 hours.

Persons: Violeta Santos Moura, John Kirby, Kirby, Doina, Susan Heavey Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, White House, MSNBC, CNN, Thomson Locations: Israel's, Gaza, Israel, United States, Egypt

☆ America’s Short-Lived Show of Unity
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Susan Milligan | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Then America's deep political divisions surfaced with a vengeance, with politicians blaming political foes for the crisis, and others turning the terrorist attack into a judgment of Israel, its government, Jews in general and the plight of the Palestinian people. Later, Trump extended his jabs at U.S. ally Israel, saying in a campaign speech that the country's defense minister was "a jerk." Trump also said Hezbollah, another designated terrorist group in Lebanon is "very smart," angering U.S. and Israeli officials alike. Some progressives are pushing back at fellow members of the Democratic Socialists of America, who have been holding pro-Palestinian rallies just days after the Hamas attack. "Some are using really over-the-top rhetoric to try to score political points against the Biden administration.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, Ukraine –, Bill Ackman, Strawn –, ”, Rashida, Steve Scalise, Summer Lee, Scalise –, Brett Bruen, Barack Obama, unfroze, Qatar –, –, Biden, it's, Sen, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, Trump, John Kirby, Shlomo Karhi, Tlaib, Jack Bergman, Alexandria Ocasio, Shri Thanedar, American University professor Jordan Tama, Tama Organizations: Harvard, Winston, Defamation League, Democratic, Republican Rep, GOP, Republican, Israel, Georgetown University, Biden, White, United, South Carolina Republican, Security, Tlaib, Democratic Socialists of America, Cortez , New York Democrat, Times, American University professor Jordan, . Foreign, Cooperation Locations: Israel, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iran, Qatar, United States, Russia, China, U.S, New Hampshire, Lebanon, Alexandria, Cortez , New York

☆ Biden speaks with families of Americans unaccounted for in Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden on Friday spoke with the families of the Americans who remain unaccounted for in Israel after promising to speak with family members of those who are held hostage by Hamas. The family members joined Biden from both Israel and the US for the video call, a source familiar with the conversation told CNN. It made for a large gathering, as multiple family members joined from different locations in some cases. We are confident that we are in good hands,” she said on “The Situation Room.”Cohen noted that she has many other family members unaccounted for. The US is in “direct communication” with Israeli counterparts and the families, Kirby told CNN’s Poppy Harlow on Friday morning.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, “, ”, John Kirby, Biden “, Roger Carstens, Kirby, ” Kirby, Saray Cohen, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, ” Cohen, CBS ’ Scott Pelley, ” Biden, White, CNN’s Poppy Harlow, Antony Blinken Organizations: Washington CNN, National Security, Biden, CNN, CBS, FBI, Pentagon Locations: Israel, Philadelphia, United States, America, Gaza, Qatar, Afghanistan, Iraq

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said on Friday that North Korea has delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia for its ongoing war in Ukraine. The containers were shipped between Sept. 7 and Oct. 1 between Najin, North Korea, and Dunay, Russia, according to the White House. The U.S. has accused North Korea of previously providing ammunition, artillery shells and rockets to Russia. North Korea has previously denied providing weaponry to Moscow. After decades of hot-and-cold relations, Russia and North Korea have drawn closer since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, John Kirby, Kim, Kirby, “, Putin, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong, Antony Blinken, Dmytro Kuleba, Kuleba Organizations: WASHINGTON, North, National Security, Democratic People's, Korean Central News Agency, The, Strategic, International Studies, Hamas, Ukrainian Foreign, State Department Locations: Korea, Russia, Ukraine, North Korean, Russian, Najin, North Korea, Dunay, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Pyongyang, U.S, South Korea, Moscow, Washington, United States, Soviet, North, Soviet Union, Israel

☆ How US tax dollars have supported Israel and its military for 75 years — and what's next for American aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Biden said this week he will ask Congress to send Israel additional aid in the wake of Hamas' terror attacks. Between 2001 and 2020, Israel received more military aid from the US than all other nations combined. Despite concerns that Israel will continue killing civilians and children in Gaza, there is bipartisan support for aid to Israel. In 2016, the US signed its third 10-year Memorandum of Understanding on military aid to Israel, pledging to send it $38 billion between 2019 and 2028. In 2022, the US spent a total of $4.8 billion on military, economic, and missile defense aid for Israel.

Persons: Biden, —, Harry Truman, Israel, Joe Biden, Gerald R, he'll, John Kirby, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: Democratic, Service, Saturday, US, Congressional Research Service, CRS, Israel, Hamas, Gazan Health, United Nations, White, National Security, Rep, Minnesota Democrat, Republicans, Taiwan Locations: Israel, Gaza, Washington, Alexandria, United States, Minnesota, Ukraine

[1/4] Members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Counterterrorism unit patrol in Times Square, as the city takes security precautions ahead of planned demonstrations, in New York City, U.S., October 12, 2023. Adams said extra police patrols were being deployed in Jewish and Muslim communities alike. Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for protests across the Muslim world on Friday in support of Palestinians. TIMES SQUARE PROTEST EXPECTEDNew York City officials said they were bracing for at least one major demonstration planned for Times Square on Friday. He said the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and other federal authorities had held online security sessions with Jewish institutions around the country.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Kathy Hochul, Eric Adams, Adams, Khaled Meshaal, John Chell, Hochul, Montgomery, Abed Ayoub, Rabbi Yoni Fein, Fein, Biden, John Kirby, Kirby, Dan Whitcomb, Steve Gorman, Kanishka Singh, Patricia Zengerle, Brendan O'Brien, Lincoln, Jonathan Oatis, Alistair Bell Organizations: New York City Police Department, NYPD, Counterterrorism, REUTERS, Police, New, . New, . New York City, Hamas, Times, New York Police Department, National Guard, Los Angeles Police Department, Tourists, Facebook, Jewish Community Relations, Greater, The Jewish Federation of, U.S . Park Police, Montgomery Blair High, FBI, Palestinian, ICE, Maimonides Academy, Department of Homeland Security, CNN, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, New York, Los Angeles, . New York, Jewish, Gaza, Israel, Washington, American, Greater Washington, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Four Corners , Maryland, United States, Fort Lauderdale , Florida

☆ Biden Talks With Families of Missing Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

President Biden held a call Friday with the family members of the 14 Americans still unaccounted for following the attacks in Israel, the White House said. Biden was joined on the call by a group of advisers, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Roger Carstens, who serves as a special envoy for hostage affairs. John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said the call included a couple of family members from each of the families of those 14 Americans. Kirby said Biden “conveyed directly to these families that they have been in his prayers” and said the government was doing everything possible to locate and bring home their loved ones. The fate of the missing Americans remains unknown, but U.S. officials have said at least some of them are believed to be among the hostages taken by Hamas.

Persons: Biden, Jake Sullivan, Roger Carstens, John Kirby, Kirby, Biden “ Organizations: National Security Council Locations: Israel

The American people must understand just how shocking and gruesome Hamas’ actions were, Biden told his aides. I think we can change the Middle East,” Biden told a group of Jewish American leaders on Wednesday. “If tomorrow Hezbollah started launching missiles into Israel, that would be seen as a real escalation,” according to a person close to the situation. In his private conversations with Netanyahu, Biden has not urged the Israeli leader to practice restraint in its counterattack against Hamas. “He has always approached Israel with moral clarity and full commitment,” a senior adviser to the president told CNN.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ” Biden, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, John Kirby, it’s, ”, Netanyahu, –, Biden’s, CNN’s Matthew Chance, I’m, Jake Sullivan, Netanyahu’s, ” Sullivan, Netanyahu “, Alexandria Ocasio, ” Ocasio, Cortez Organizations: CNN, White, Jewish, Israel, National Security Council, Senate Foreign Relations, Defense Department, Biden, Democratic Party, New, New York Democrat Locations: Israel, Europe, Tehran, Gaza, United States, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, “, Alexandria, Cortez, New York

Chief among those is getting munitions for Israel's Iron Dome air defense system sped along. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that resupplying Iron Dome munitions and air defense systems was an immediate priority. “We’re surging additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome,” Biden said. Raytheon produces most of the missile components for Iron Dome in the U.S., and the Army has two Iron Dome systems in its stockpile. Neither the Air Force nor Central Command would comment on what additional missions U.S. airpower might take on in response to the conflict.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden, ” Biden, “ We’re, Gerald R, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Biden, John Kirby, Frank Kendall, Kendall, hadn't, Colleen Long Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hamas, Israel . Defense, Raytheon, Israel Defense Forces, Iron Dome, Army, Pentagon, Ford, Italian Navy, Hawkeye, Eisenhower, AIR FORCE, Air Force, Atlantic Council, U.S . Air Force, Central Command, Associated Press Locations: U.S, Norfolk , Virginia, Israel, Iran, Iron, Syria

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference, in Tel Aviv, Israel October 12, 2023. The question of Iranian access to the funds has been in the spotlight since Iran-backed Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people and taking scores of hostages back to the Palestinian Gaza Strip. "Iran will not be able to access the funds for the foreseeable future," a senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. Several U.S. media outlets reported on Thursday that the United States and Qatar had agreed to stop Iran from accessing the money. It did not respond to a request for comment on whether Iran had yet tried to access the funds.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jacquelyn Martin, Blinken, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's U.N, Donald Trump, John Kirby, Kirby, Parisa Hafezi, Andrew Mills, Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, TEL, United, Washington, Reuters, U.S, U.S . Treasury, U.S ., Government, United Nations, Qatar's, Media, White House, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, TEL AVIV, WASHINGTON, United States, Iran, Qatar, Palestinian, U.S, Tehran, South Korea, Seoul after Washington, Islamic Republic of Iran, New York, Qatari

☆ More than 2 million people in Gaza are trapped in a humanitarian disaster
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

More than 2 million people live in the Gaza Strip, which is facing a punishing counterattack from Israel. Experts say Gaza is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, and people are running out of basic supplies. The crisis is exacerbated by the fact that Gaza has been restricted under blockade for 16 years. So far, thousands have been killed or injured in the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank and in Israel. Groups are begging for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to bring in much-needed supplies to the trapped region.

Persons: —, António Guterres, Akshaya Kumar, Hamas —, Antony Blinken, John Kirby, Kirby, Kumar, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Ivan Karakashian, they've, Ahmad Abuznaid, he's, Abuznaid, they're, Joe Biden, Israel, Blinken, Biden, Vox, that's Organizations: Experts, Service, Hamas, UN, World Health Organization, West Bank, Human Rights, CNN, White, Norwegian Refugee Council, US, Palestinian, State Department Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Philadelphia, Egypt, of Israel, Jerusalem, Houston, Huwara, Jenin

The funds were moved to Qatari accounts as part of a broad deal to secure the release of five Americans whom the US deemed had been wrongfully detained in Iran. There were bipartisan calls to freeze the funds in the wake of the deadly Hamas attacks in Israel this weekend. Still, the “quiet understanding” not to move the money right now appears to be largely symbolic, given the strict restrictions that were already tied to the funds. Blinken did not confirm that “a quiet understanding” had been reached but made clear the US is able to freeze the funds. The process for Iran to be able to spend the funds was expected to take months, if not years.

Persons: Wally Adeyemo, Adeyemo, Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, ” Blinken, John Kirby, “ It’s, “, we’ve, Saturday’s, CNN’s Jim Sciutto, Max Organizations: CNN, Saturday, Democrats, Administration, National Security Council, White, State Department Locations: United States, Qatar, Iran, Israel, Tehran, Tel Aviv, Qatari

Washington CNN —Concern is growing within the Pentagon over the potential need to stretch its increasingly scarce ammunition stockpiles to support Ukraine and Israel in two separate wars, according to multiple US defense officials. At the moment Ukraine and Israel require different weapons: Ukraine wants massive amounts of artillery ammunition while Israel has requested precision guided aerial munitions and Iron Dome interceptors. Israel has its own capable industrial base and produces many of its own advanced weapons, but a prolonged ground campaign could drain the country’s stockpiles, officials said. The request was immediately approved by former President Barack Obama, and the equipment was pulled from US reserve stockpiles in Israel. Defense officials are also anxious about the dysfunction in Congress and whether lawmakers will approve additional funding for US support to Israel and Ukraine.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ”, Austin, “ We’re, CQ Brown, Benjamin Netanyahu, Barack Obama, Russia –, Netanyahu, Christine Wormuth, John Kirby, “, ” Kirby, we’ve, that’s, we’re Organizations: Washington CNN, Pentagon, Joint Staff, Transportation Command, Hamas, Defense, US, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Defense Department, Gaza, ”, Israel, National Security Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Brussels, Austin, Belgium, Russia

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