Two Israeli hostages, Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79, were freed by Hamas. According to Hamas' armed branch, the ladies were freed for "compelling humanitarian" grounds. The two hostages' liberation was confirmed by the ICRC.

Hamas releases two elderly Israeli hostages after Egyptian-Qatari diplomacy

The war is raging between Israel and Hamas and attacks from both sides are intensifying. It's now many days since Israel declared war on Hamas after an unprecedented ground air and sea assault by the militants over the weekend. The death toll continues to mount on both sides.

China's Middle East envoy pitches for peace | Nations have right to self-defence, China FM to Israel

Israel-Hamas war: Newly released hostages by Hamas speaks to media

A woman identified as Yocheved Lifschitz, who was taken as hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and released on Tuesday morning (Oct 24), held a press conference from the hospital where she was recovering after getting free. 
 
85-year-old Yocheved Lifschitz said that she has been through hell while speaking about how she was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and carried away on motorbikes from her kibbutz. 
 
Yocheved Lifshitz&nbsp;had spent years getting medical supplies into Gaza. 
 
She stated that they&nbsp;entered Gaza Strip through a gate and that she suffered bruises because of the motorbike ride. She added that she was struggling to breathe.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-abduction-manual-states-hostage-taking-as-central-aim-of-israel-attack-650608">Hamas 'abduction manual' states 'hostage-taking' as central aim of Israel attack</a>

While speaking about the ordeal, Yocheved Lifschitz's daughter Sharone also helped her mother in recounting what all happened to her. She further confirmed that Hamas militants took her mother on a motorbike and also hit her with sticks. 
 
The daughter added that her mother was forced to walk for a few kilometres on wet ground.

<h2>Captives asked to believe in the Quran to escape 'being hurt'</h2>

Sharone spoke about the "huge network" of underground tunnels which is being run by Hamas, calling it similar to a "spider's web". 
 
Speaking to the press, Lifschitz said that she was told&nbsp;by the people who held her captive that if “you believe in the Quran. We won't hurt you”. The daughter of Lifschitz, Sharone, further continued her translation. 
 
She stated that the captors took off her mother's jewellery and watch, while she was being driven. The daughter said that her mother, along with 24 others, were taken by the Hamas terrorists into the tunnels, which she stated as having "soft, wet ground". 
 
She stated that, after two or three hours, five people from Kibbutz Nir Oz were kept in a separate room. She stated that there were guards, along with a doctor and a paramedic.

WATCH |&nbsp;'Will completely destroy Hamas', Israeli govt spokesperson Eylon Levy in a conversation with WION

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Yocheved Lifschitz, while describing the conditions in which she and her fellow captives were kept in, said that she was kept in a clean place. She stated that they were given mattresses to sleep on the floor inside the tunnels and a doctor came to visit them every two to three days. 
 
She added that Hamas "took care of every detail", including "feminine hygiene". The hostages fed the captives with cucumber and white cheese.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A woman identified as Yocheved Lifschitz, who was taken as hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and released on Tuesday morning (Oct 24), held a press conference from the hospital where she was recovering after getting free.

A woman identified as Yocheved Lifschitz, who was taken as hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and released on Tuesday morning (Oct 24), held a press conference from the hospital where she was recovering after getting free. 85-year-old Yocheved Lifschitz said that she has been through hell while speaking about how she was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and carried away on motorbikes from her kibbutz. Yocheved Lifshitz had spent years getting medical supplies into Gaza. She stated that they entered Gaza Strip through a gate and that she suffered bruises because of the motorbike ride. She added that she was struggling to breathe. ALSO READ | Hamas 'abduction manual' states 'hostage-taking' as central aim of Israel attack While speaking about the ordeal, Yocheved Lifschitz's daughter Sharone also helped her mother in recounting what all happened to her. She further confirmed that Hamas militants took her mother on a motorbike and also hit her with sticks. The daughter added that her mother was forced to walk for a few kilometres on wet ground. Captives asked to believe in the Quran to escape 'being hurt' Sharone spoke about the "huge network" of underground tunnels which is being run by Hamas, calling it similar to a "spider's web". Speaking to the press, Lifschitz said that she was told by the people who held her captive that if “you believe in the Quran. We won't hurt you”. The daughter of Lifschitz, Sharone, further continued her translation. She stated that the captors took off her mother's jewellery and watch, while she was being driven. The daughter said that her mother, along with 24 others, were taken by the Hamas terrorists into the tunnels, which she stated as having "soft, wet ground". She stated that, after two or three hours, five people from Kibbutz Nir Oz were kept in a separate room. She stated that there were guards, along with a doctor and a paramedic. WATCH | 'Will completely destroy Hamas', Israeli govt spokesperson Eylon Levy in a conversation with WION Yocheved Lifschitz, while describing the conditions in which she and her fellow captives were kept in, said that she was kept in a clean place. She stated that they were given mattresses to sleep on the floor inside the tunnels and a doctor came to visit them every two to three days. She added that Hamas "took care of every detail", including "feminine hygiene". The hostages fed the captives with cucumber and white cheese. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Been through hell': Survivor recounts her horrific experience as Hamas' captive

An 85-year-old hostage, Yocheved Lifshitz, was recently released by Hamas, a terror outfit known for its violent activities against Israel. The footage of Lifshitz shaking hands with one of her Hamas captors and saying "shalom," a Hebrew greeting signifying "peace," has garnered global attention.

Alongside her, another hostage, 79-year-old Nurit Cooper, was also released. The incident was recorded after the two women were freed and transported from Gaza to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, reported the Guardian. However, the husbands of both the women are still being held captive by Hamas terrorists.&nbsp;

Watch the video here:

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.&nbsp;

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85-yr-old Yocheved Lifshitz, who spent yrs getting medical supplies into Gaza, was 1 of 2 hostages released today by Hamas. As she is transferred to the Red Cross she turns around, takes her captor’s hand, &amp; says “shalom.” 
 
Amid all the death, hope remains alive. Ceasefire. <a href="https://t.co/gkMHFrMJi0">pic.twitter.com/gkMHFrMJi0</a>
— Ariel Gold אריאל ✡️☮️🕊 (@ArielElyseGold) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArielElyseGold/status/1716602109779493259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The ordeal began when these two elderly women, along with their husbands, who are aged 83 and 84, were abducted from their homes in the kibbutz of Nir Oz, situated near the Gaza border.&nbsp;

Yocheved Lifshitz's daughter, Sharone Lifschitz, expressed her immense relief that her mother was now safe.

Lifschitz, an artist and academic residing in London, mentioned that her parents were peace activists. Her father had a history of transporting Palestinians from the Gaza border to East Jerusalem for medical treatment. She grew up hearing stories of kindness that saved her relatives during the Holocaust, and she wished for a similar narrative here.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trigger-warning-israel-shares-footage-of-oct-7-hamas-attack-to-counter-claims-of-atrocities-650582">Also read |&nbsp;TRIGGER WARNING: Israel shares Oct 7 footage to counter 'Holocaust denial-like phenomenon'</a>

What makes this story even more intriguing is the apparent lack of any substantial concessions by Hamas in exchange for the hostages' release.

This incident follows the release of an American woman and her teenage daughter who were also held captive.

It is estimated that Hamas and other militants in Gaza have taken around 220 people, including a yet unconfirmed number of foreigners and dual citizens.

<h2>Duelling narratives through video releases</h2>

Both Israel and Hamas released videos intended to shape the narrative surrounding this conflict.

In a video shared by Hamas, the captors are seen providing drinks and food to the two hostages.

The women appeared dazed but composed, and their captors are observed holding their hands as they are transferred to Red Cross officials.

In a striking moment, Yocheved Lifshitz extended her hand to shake one of the militants' hands. Simultaneously, Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, released a video featuring prisoners believed to be associated with the Hamas attack.

The prisoners appeared in clean uniforms, with one exception, who wore a bloody T-shirt, and at least one seemed to be in pain. These detainees discussed their orders to kill young men and abduct women, children, and elderly individuals, all in exchange for promised financial rewards.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gaza's hospital will have electricity only for another 24 hrs: Health Ministry

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It is important to note that both videos released by Hamas and Israel aim to advance their respective narratives. However, the Associated Press has not independently verified either video, leaving room for questions about the authenticity and the circumstances under which they were filmed.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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An 85-year-old hostage, Yocheved Lifshitz, was recently released by Hamas, a terror outfit known for its violent activities against Israel. The footage of Lifshitz shaking hands with one of her Hamas captors and saying "shalom," a Hebrew greeting signifying "peace," has garnered global attention.

An 85-year-old hostage, Yocheved Lifshitz, was recently released by Hamas, a terror outfit known for its violent activities against Israel. The footage of Lifshitz shaking hands with one of her Hamas captors and saying "shalom," a Hebrew greeting signifying "peace," has garnered global attention. Alongside her, another hostage, 79-year-old Nurit Cooper, was also released. The incident was recorded after the two women were freed and transported from Gaza to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, reported the Guardian. However, the husbands of both the women are still being held captive by Hamas terrorists. Watch the video here: Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. 85-yr-old Yocheved Lifshitz, who spent yrs getting medical supplies into Gaza, was 1 of 2 hostages released today by Hamas. As she is transferred to the Red Cross she turns around, takes her captor’s hand, & says “shalom.” Amid all the death, hope remains alive. Ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/gkMHFrMJi0 — Ariel Gold אריאל ✡️☮️🕊 (@ArielElyseGold) October 23, 2023 × The ordeal began when these two elderly women, along with their husbands, who are aged 83 and 84, were abducted from their homes in the kibbutz of Nir Oz, situated near the Gaza border. Yocheved Lifshitz's daughter, Sharone Lifschitz, expressed her immense relief that her mother was now safe. Lifschitz, an artist and academic residing in London, mentioned that her parents were peace activists. Her father had a history of transporting Palestinians from the Gaza border to East Jerusalem for medical treatment. She grew up hearing stories of kindness that saved her relatives during the Holocaust, and she wished for a similar narrative here. Also read | TRIGGER WARNING: Israel shares Oct 7 footage to counter 'Holocaust denial-like phenomenon' What makes this story even more intriguing is the apparent lack of any substantial concessions by Hamas in exchange for the hostages' release. This incident follows the release of an American woman and her teenage daughter who were also held captive. It is estimated that Hamas and other militants in Gaza have taken around 220 people, including a yet unconfirmed number of foreigners and dual citizens. Duelling narratives through video releases Both Israel and Hamas released videos intended to shape the narrative surrounding this conflict. In a video shared by Hamas, the captors are seen providing drinks and food to the two hostages. The women appeared dazed but composed, and their captors are observed holding their hands as they are transferred to Red Cross officials. In a striking moment, Yocheved Lifshitz extended her hand to shake one of the militants' hands. Simultaneously, Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, released a video featuring prisoners believed to be associated with the Hamas attack. The prisoners appeared in clean uniforms, with one exception, who wore a bloody T-shirt, and at least one seemed to be in pain. These detainees discussed their orders to kill young men and abduct women, children, and elderly individuals, all in exchange for promised financial rewards. Also watch | Gaza's hospital will have electricity only for another 24 hrs: Health Ministry It is important to note that both videos released by Hamas and Israel aim to advance their respective narratives. However, the Associated Press has not independently verified either video, leaving room for questions about the authenticity and the circumstances under which they were filmed. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

WATCH: 85-year-old Israeli hostage shakes hands with Hamas captor after release

An Israeli boy turned 9-years-old and unlike other children of his age, he did not celebrate his birthday. He currently being held as a captive and is in the custody of Hamas.

Israel-Palestine war: New footage of Hamas attack released | How is Hamas holding children captive

The Israeli army discovered manuals on the dead bodies of Hamas terrorists which showed how they were given orders to execute “problematic” hostages and babies were designated as specific targets during the October 7 attack carried out on Israel. 
 
The document clearly states 'hostage-taking' as the attack's central aim, as reported by Western media outlets. In the document, the attackers have been instructed to ration their food and keep the hostages for a long duration in an enclosed location. 
 
“Kill the problematic and those who post a threat. Gather some of the hostages in the area and use them as cannon fodder, ensuring they are clearly visible,” read the document, written in Arabic. The document reveals their plan to attack Kibbutz Kfar Sa’ad, which included sweeping two schools along with a youth centre.

<h2>High-level planning</h2>

The officials of the Israeli government said that the manuals showed the high level of planning carried out by Hamas in the last few months before the October 7 attack. 
 
“It shows they were very, very task orientated,” said an IDF spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner, while speaking to The Telegraph. “It wasn’t just haphazardly ‘let’s cross over and kill whoever we walk into’ but rather that we go in, we take, we attack, we abduct, we tie them up… there’s a whole list of things to do,” he added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-gaza-strip-and-the-struggle-for-survival-for-millions-of-its-residents-645290">Explained: Gaza Strip and the struggle for survival for millions of its residents</a>

As per the hostage-taking manual, the victims had to be gathered in “pre-determined” locations on maps after every terrorist squad had finished “cleansing their operating areas”. 
 
The documents also included maps in which blue circles were drawn around Kfar Sa’ad and three other villages, which also share a border with Gaza, Alumim, Nahal Oz and Kraf Aza. It was in these villages that Hamas killed dozens of Israeli civilians, which included children and babies, and kidnapped many of them. 
 
The killings of men and women were mentioned as the “last resort”, and the terrorists were asked to use “firearms, smoke and stun grenades, indirect threats, electric shocks, violence and terrorism” to maintain order, as per the document.

Watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war | 'Hamas will pay a big price if they harm hostages' says Richard Hecht

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An Israeli government official stated that “a family” of documents, which have been recovered from the dead bodies of the terrorists, are being analysed by the IDF and show how they systematically targetted the civilians. “They are constantly lying all the time,” said an IDF source, while speaking to NBC News. 
 
The “abduction manual” has been divided into eight sections and looks like they were preparing Hamas terrorists to hold a siege on hostages present inside Israel, maybe for days. 
 
The document's first section has been labelled as “Gathering” and it gives instructions on how to take hostages. The second section was titled “Isolation and control within the area and around it.”

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The Israeli army discovered manuals on the dead bodies of Hamas terrorists which showed how they were given orders to execute “problematic” hostages and babies were designated as specific targets during the October 7 attack carried out on Israel.

The Israeli army discovered manuals on the dead bodies of Hamas terrorists which showed how they were given orders to execute “problematic” hostages and babies were designated as specific targets during the October 7 attack carried out on Israel. The document clearly states 'hostage-taking' as the attack's central aim, as reported by Western media outlets. In the document, the attackers have been instructed to ration their food and keep the hostages for a long duration in an enclosed location. “Kill the problematic and those who post a threat. Gather some of the hostages in the area and use them as cannon fodder, ensuring they are clearly visible,” read the document, written in Arabic. The document reveals their plan to attack Kibbutz Kfar Sa’ad, which included sweeping two schools along with a youth centre. High-level planning The officials of the Israeli government said that the manuals showed the high level of planning carried out by Hamas in the last few months before the October 7 attack. “It shows they were very, very task orientated,” said an IDF spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner, while speaking to The Telegraph. “It wasn’t just haphazardly ‘let’s cross over and kill whoever we walk into’ but rather that we go in, we take, we attack, we abduct, we tie them up… there’s a whole list of things to do,” he added. ALSO READ | Explained: Gaza Strip and the struggle for survival for millions of its residents As per the hostage-taking manual, the victims had to be gathered in “pre-determined” locations on maps after every terrorist squad had finished “cleansing their operating areas”. The documents also included maps in which blue circles were drawn around Kfar Sa’ad and three other villages, which also share a border with Gaza, Alumim, Nahal Oz and Kraf Aza. It was in these villages that Hamas killed dozens of Israeli civilians, which included children and babies, and kidnapped many of them. The killings of men and women were mentioned as the “last resort”, and the terrorists were asked to use “firearms, smoke and stun grenades, indirect threats, electric shocks, violence and terrorism” to maintain order, as per the document. Watch | Israel-Hamas war | 'Hamas will pay a big price if they harm hostages' says Richard Hecht An Israeli government official stated that “a family” of documents, which have been recovered from the dead bodies of the terrorists, are being analysed by the IDF and show how they systematically targetted the civilians. “They are constantly lying all the time,” said an IDF source, while speaking to NBC News. The “abduction manual” has been divided into eight sections and looks like they were preparing Hamas terrorists to hold a siege on hostages present inside Israel, maybe for days. The document's first section has been labelled as “Gathering” and it gives instructions on how to take hostages. The second section was titled “Isolation and control within the area and around it.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Hamas 'abduction manual' states 'hostage-taking' as central aim of Israel attack

President Joe Biden declared that until all of the hostages taken by Hamas are freed, he will not support an Israel-Hamas ceasefire. When questioned about the possibility of a ceasefire in exchange for Hamas releasing some 200 prisoners, including Americans, said to be in the Gaza Strip, Biden told reporters, "We should have those hostages released and then we can talk."

Israel-Palestine war: Gaza's hospital will have electricity only for another 24 hrs: Health Ministry

On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to Tel Aviv to declare his nation's "full solidarity" with Israel. Following that incident, Macron was scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convey France's "complete solidarity" with Israel, according to the French presidency.

Israel-Palestine war: Macron urges Israel not to escalate conflict

Israel-Palestine war: French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Israel

Joe Biden abruptly ended his speech to address an unidentified "issue" that required him to be in the Situation Room. Regarding the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the hostages kidnapped in Israel, Biden was speaking to the nation. I must visit the Situation Room. He said, "I have a problem that needs to be resolved. His remarks were made just after news broke that Hamas had freed two of the four hostages it had released from Gaza following the terror incident on October 7.

Israel-Palestine War: Joe Biden abruptly ends White House speech, heads to 'Situation Room'

The Israeli prime minister's son has come under fire from Israeli troops who have opted to fight alongside Hamas for staying in the US and "abandoning" his nation.

Israel-Palestine war: Eligible for reserve duty, where is PM Netanyahu's son?

Many relatives of hostages taken by Hamas are pleading with the government to scale back the war effort and instead negotiate the release of their loved ones as Israel gets ready to attack the Gaza Strip.

Israel-Palestine war | Pressure grows on Israel to negotiate release of Gaza hostages

Israel-Hamas war | Israel Army: 222 hostages are being held by Hamas militants

Eleven days after killers from Hamas murdered more than 1,400 Israelis in a series of massacres of stomach-turning brutality and Israel responded with devastating air strikes on Gaza, a senior State Department official resigned over Washington’s decision to send more weapons to Israel, a move he said reflected “blind support for one side.”

The official, Josh Paul, worked for 11 years at the State Department’s Bureau of Political and Military Affairs, which handles arms transfers to foreign countries. He rose to a senior position, that of director of congressional and public affairs.

Paul explained his decision in a two-page letter and the points he made raise questions about the US-Israeli relationship that are rarely asked in a country where sympathy for Israel goes back to its foundation 75 years ago. No major speech on Israel by a US&nbsp;president fails to mention that the US&nbsp;was the first to recognise the new state, just 11 minutes after its formation.

Polls after the outbreak of the Hamas-Israeli wars showed that 80 per cent of Americans were siding with Israel. Whether that level of support is stable remains to be seen as graphic images of the death and damage caused by Israeli air strikes on densely populated Gaza will fill US&nbsp;television screens for days to come.

“The response Israel is taking and with it the American support both for that response and for the status quo of the occupation will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and Palestinian people,” his letter said. “This administration’s response – and much of Congress’s as well – is an impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia.”

Israel’s immediate response to the Hamas attacks, described by Paul as a “monstrosity of monstrosities”, was airstrikes that levelled dozens of buildings and a complete siege of Gaza, cutting off water, electricity, food and fuel. UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it collective punishment.

Strong words in a country where criticism of Israeli policy or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is often conflated with anti-Semitism – as were pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the Middle East, parts of Asia, Europe and the United States condemning Israeli air strikes on Gaza and the country’s occupation of parts of the West Bank.

President Joe Biden flew to Israel 11 days after the October 7 massacre of civilians in villages close to the border with Gaza, pledged America’s support – “Israel, you are not alone. The United States stands with you” – and promised US&nbsp;weapons would continue to give Israel a “qualitative military edge” in the region.&nbsp;

That edge, dubbed QME in military jargon, makes the US-Israeli relationship truly unique. No other country can count on getting the latest and most sophisticated American military hardware and no other country can be secure in the knowledge that deliveries will continue because they are enshrined in US&nbsp;law.&nbsp;

The Congressional Research Service spells it out in detail: “In 2008, Congress enacted legislation (that) defines QME as the ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional military threat from any individual state or possible coalition of states or from non-state actors while sustaining minimal damage and casualties, through the use of superior military means, possessed in sufficient quantity…”

To make sure the requirement for “sufficient quantity” will be met as Israel pounds Gaza with airstrikes and prepares for a ground offensive, Biden has asked Congress for an additional $14.3 billion for Israel. That request is stuck in Congress because Republican Party infighting has left the House of Representatives, which has the power of the purse, without a speaker.&nbsp;

A fact sheet by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, from which Paul resigned last week, notes that maintaining the QME “has helped transform the Israeli Defense Force into one of the world’s most capable and effective militaries and turned the Israeli military industry and technology sector into one of the largest exporters of military capabilities worldwide.”

Still, the United States has provided military aid of more than $3 billion year after year for decades preceding the 2008 legislation. No country has received as much US&nbsp;aid overall as Israel.

The logic of continued aid to a relatively rich and successful country is puzzling but rarely questioned. Not only has Israel turned into the region’s military superpower but it also is the only country in the Middle East with a nuclear arsenal, though this is rarely mentioned in debates about nuclear proliferation. &nbsp;

(Israel does not admit nor deny having nuclear weapons but the Arms Control Association, a widely-respected Washington-based think tank, cites estimates of up to 90 nuclear warheads, with fissile material stockpiles of more than 200.)

Arming Israel to the teeth made sense during the Cold War when Israel served as an American outpost in a region where the Soviet Union had strategic ambitions and close friends.&nbsp;

As then US&nbsp;Secretary of State Alexander Haig put it at the time: “Israel is the largest US&nbsp;(aircraft) carrier that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one U.S. soldier, and is located in a most critical region for US&nbsp;national security.”

It still is. But today’s geopolitics have changed so much that the United States has dispatched two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean to protect what Haig had called a stationary carrier and to prevent the Hamas-Israel conflict from spreading through the region.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Eleven days after killers from Hamas murdered more than 1,400 Israelis in a series of massacres of stomach-turning brutality and Israel responded with devastating air strikes on Gaza, a senior State Department official resigned over Washington’s decision to send more weapons to Israel, a move he said reflected “blind support for one side.

Eleven days after killers from Hamas murdered more than 1,400 Israelis in a series of massacres of stomach-turning brutality and Israel responded with devastating air strikes on Gaza, a senior State Department official resigned over Washington’s decision to send more weapons to Israel, a move he said reflected “blind support for one side.” The official, Josh Paul, worked for 11 years at the State Department’s Bureau of Political and Military Affairs, which handles arms transfers to foreign countries. He rose to a senior position, that of director of congressional and public affairs. Paul explained his decision in a two-page letter and the points he made raise questions about the US-Israeli relationship that are rarely asked in a country where sympathy for Israel goes back to its foundation 75 years ago. No major speech on Israel by a US president fails to mention that the US was the first to recognise the new state, just 11 minutes after its formation. Polls after the outbreak of the Hamas-Israeli wars showed that 80 per cent of Americans were siding with Israel. Whether that level of support is stable remains to be seen as graphic images of the death and damage caused by Israeli air strikes on densely populated Gaza will fill US television screens for days to come. “The response Israel is taking and with it the American support both for that response and for the status quo of the occupation will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and Palestinian people,” his letter said. “This administration’s response – and much of Congress’s as well – is an impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia.” Israel’s immediate response to the Hamas attacks, described by Paul as a “monstrosity of monstrosities”, was airstrikes that levelled dozens of buildings and a complete siege of Gaza, cutting off water, electricity, food and fuel. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it collective punishment. Strong words in a country where criticism of Israeli policy or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is often conflated with anti-Semitism – as were pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the Middle East, parts of Asia, Europe and the United States condemning Israeli air strikes on Gaza and the country’s occupation of parts of the West Bank. President Joe Biden flew to Israel 11 days after the October 7 massacre of civilians in villages close to the border with Gaza, pledged America’s support – “Israel, you are not alone. The United States stands with you” – and promised US weapons would continue to give Israel a “qualitative military edge” in the region. That edge, dubbed QME in military jargon, makes the US-Israeli relationship truly unique. No other country can count on getting the latest and most sophisticated American military hardware and no other country can be secure in the knowledge that deliveries will continue because they are enshrined in US law. The Congressional Research Service spells it out in detail: “In 2008, Congress enacted legislation (that) defines QME as the ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional military threat from any individual state or possible coalition of states or from non-state actors while sustaining minimal damage and casualties, through the use of superior military means, possessed in sufficient quantity…” To make sure the requirement for “sufficient quantity” will be met as Israel pounds Gaza with airstrikes and prepares for a ground offensive, Biden has asked Congress for an additional $14.3 billion for Israel. That request is stuck in Congress because Republican Party infighting has left the House of Representatives, which has the power of the purse, without a speaker. A fact sheet by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, from which Paul resigned last week, notes that maintaining the QME “has helped transform the Israeli Defense Force into one of the world’s most capable and effective militaries and turned the Israeli military industry and technology sector into one of the largest exporters of military capabilities worldwide.” Still, the United States has provided military aid of more than $3 billion year after year for decades preceding the 2008 legislation. No country has received as much US aid overall as Israel. The logic of continued aid to a relatively rich and successful country is puzzling but rarely questioned. Not only has Israel turned into the region’s military superpower but it also is the only country in the Middle East with a nuclear arsenal, though this is rarely mentioned in debates about nuclear proliferation. (Israel does not admit nor deny having nuclear weapons but the Arms Control Association, a widely-respected Washington-based think tank, cites estimates of up to 90 nuclear warheads, with fissile material stockpiles of more than 200.) Arming Israel to the teeth made sense during the Cold War when Israel served as an American outpost in a region where the Soviet Union had strategic ambitions and close friends. As then US Secretary of State Alexander Haig put it at the time: “Israel is the largest US (aircraft) carrier that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one U.S. soldier, and is located in a most critical region for US national security.” It still is. But today’s geopolitics have changed so much that the United States has dispatched two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean to protect what Haig had called a stationary carrier and to prevent the Hamas-Israel conflict from spreading through the region. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Hamas-Israel war: Rare dissent over US arms for Israel raises troubling questions

In a startling development, Israeli authorities have revealed that Hamas operatives who carried out the October 7 deadly attack, were found carrying instructions for cyanide-based chemical weapons. This has raised concerns about the intentions of the Gaza strip-based militants.

Chemical warfare: Was Hamas planning to use cyanide in Israel?

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a warning on Sunday, October 22, 2023, against any worsening of the Israeli-Hamas confrontation in the Middle East. According to Austin, the US is entitled to self-defense and will respond appropriately to any aggravation.

Israel-Palestine war | US warns Israel's foes: Won't hesitate to act in the event of any escalation

WION reports from Be'eri, a Kibbutz near the border with Gaza, which was the hardest hit area in southern Israel when Hamas carried out a brutal attack on October 7. The deadliest attack on Israel's soil in 75 years of its history left over 100 dead in Be'eri.

Israel-Palestine war: Israel's Kibbutz Be’eri the hardest hit region by Hamas attack

Iran to host six-nation meeting on Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Monday that Britain was sending an additional £20 million ($24 million) of aid to help civilians in Gaza affected by the war between Israel and Hamas.&nbsp;

The announcement brings the amount pledged to Palestinian territories by Britain since Hamas's attack on Israel earlier this month to £30 million, after £10 million was made available last week.&nbsp;

Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials.&nbsp;

Watch | Israel-Hamas&nbsp;war: Israeli strikes wreak havoc in Gaza

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More than 5,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in relentless Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the attacks by the Palestinian Islamist militant group, according to the latest toll from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza.&nbsp;

"We are providing an additional £20 million of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, more than doubling our previous support to the Palestinian people," Sunak told parliament.&nbsp;

Before the recent pledges, the UK had committed £27 million to Palestinians this year.&nbsp;

Sunak's announcement came while updating lawmakers on the situation in the Middle East following his visit to the region last week.&nbsp;

He said the arrival through the Rafah crossing of some aid trucks into Gaza was "important progress" but added "it is not enough."&nbsp;

"We need a constant stream of aid pouring in, bringing the water, food, medicine and fuel that is so desperately needed," the prime minister added.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-rishi-sunaks-old-mobile-number-voicemail-recording-leaked-online-650378">UK: PM Rishi Sunak's old mobile number, voicemail recording leaked online</a>

Sunak also told MPs that Britain had determined that the explosion at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza that killed hundreds of people last Tuesday was probably caused by a missile fired from within Gaza.&nbsp;

Hamas and Israel have blamed each other for the blast at the health facility.&nbsp;

"We have taken care to look at all the evidence currently available," Sunak said.&nbsp;

"On the basis of the deep knowledge and analysis of our intelligence and weapons experts, the British government judges that the explosion was likely caused by a missile, or part of one, that was launched from within Gaza towards Israel," he added.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-two-hezbollah-cells-video-shows-aerial-footage-of-blasts-in-border-areas-of-israel-and-lebanon-650235">Israel strikes two Hezbollah cells: Video shows aerial footage of blasts in border areas of Israel and Lebanon</a>

France's DRM military intelligence agency said on Friday that there was no evidence that an Israeli strike had caused the explosion.&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Monday that Britain was sending an additional £20 million ($24 million) of aid to help civilians in Gaza affected by the war between Israel and Hamas.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Monday that Britain was sending an additional £20 million ($24 million) of aid to help civilians in Gaza affected by the war between Israel and Hamas. The announcement brings the amount pledged to Palestinian territories by Britain since Hamas's attack on Israel earlier this month to £30 million, after £10 million was made available last week. Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials. Watch | Israel-Hamas war: Israeli strikes wreak havoc in Gaza × More than 5,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in relentless Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the attacks by the Palestinian Islamist militant group, according to the latest toll from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza. "We are providing an additional £20 million of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, more than doubling our previous support to the Palestinian people," Sunak told parliament. Before the recent pledges, the UK had committed £27 million to Palestinians this year. Sunak's announcement came while updating lawmakers on the situation in the Middle East following his visit to the region last week. He said the arrival through the Rafah crossing of some aid trucks into Gaza was "important progress" but added "it is not enough." "We need a constant stream of aid pouring in, bringing the water, food, medicine and fuel that is so desperately needed," the prime minister added. Also Read | UK: PM Rishi Sunak's old mobile number, voicemail recording leaked online Sunak also told MPs that Britain had determined that the explosion at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza that killed hundreds of people last Tuesday was probably caused by a missile fired from within Gaza. Hamas and Israel have blamed each other for the blast at the health facility. "We have taken care to look at all the evidence currently available," Sunak said. "On the basis of the deep knowledge and analysis of our intelligence and weapons experts, the British government judges that the explosion was likely caused by a missile, or part of one, that was launched from within Gaza towards Israel," he added. Also Read | Israel strikes two Hezbollah cells: Video shows aerial footage of blasts in border areas of Israel and Lebanon France's DRM military intelligence agency said on Friday that there was no evidence that an Israeli strike had caused the explosion. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

UK PM Rishi Sunak announces extra £20 million aid for civilians in Gaza

Israel-Palestine War: Netanyahu warns Hezbollah against new war front.

Israel-Palestine War: Netanyahu warns Hezbollah against new war front

Netanyahu warns Hezbollah against new war front

Experts say the children of Gaza are showing signs of trauma including bed-wetting, convulsions and aggressive behaviour. Priyanka Sharma tells you about the children of war.

Israel-Hamas War: Trauma of the children of war

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's foreign minister, issued a dire warning: if Israel doesn't stop attacking Gaza, the Middle East may get out of control. He claimed that because the US supported Israel militarily, it was also "to blame".

Israel-Palestine war: Violence rages unchecked, Iran warns region may spiral 'out of control'

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