President Biden sits down for an interview with “60 Minutes,” discussing America’s role in the war between Israel and Hamas and the future of Gaza. And Rite Aid files for bankruptcy amid lawsuits over the opioid crisis – these stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.
Biden interviewed on America’s role in Israel-Hamas war
With 30 Americans now confirmed dead in Hamas’ attack on Israel, 13 still unaccounted for, and some believed to be among at least 199 hostages taken back to Gaza, President Joe Biden sat down with CBS News’ “60 Minutes” in an interview that aired Sunday, Oct. 15, to discuss America’s role in the conflict and his views on Israel’s response to Hamas’ terrorism.
Israel has retaliated against Hamas for the attack that killed over 1,000 people on Oct. 7 by striking Gaza. According to the Gaza health ministry, Israel’s airstrikes have killed more than 2,000.
When asked if it’s time for a ceasefire, Biden said there is a fundamental difference between Hamas’ attacks and Israel’s response.
“Israel is going after a group of people who have engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust. And– so I think Israel has to respond. They have to go after Hamas. Hamas is a bunch of cowards. They’re hiding behind the civilians. They put their headquarters where civilians are and buildings and the like,” Biden said. “But to the extent they can separate out and avoi—I’m conf– the Israelis are gonna do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians.”
Biden said the terrorist group needs to be eliminated, and there should be a Palestinian authority in its place, making a path for a Palestinian state. He said a two-state solution would not be feasible right now.
The president, however, warned against an Israeli occupation of Gaza.
“I think it’d be a big mistake. Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas, and the extreme elements of Hamas don’t represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that…it would be a mistake to…for Israel to occupy…Gaza again,” Biden said.
The president reiterated his past statements on the American hostages still held captive in Gaza, saying the country is doing everything in its power to find those U.S. citizens and set them free.
With America sending two aircraft carriers to the region, Biden said the U.S. will be there to provide Israel with everything it needs in its fight but doesn’t think American troops will be necessary.
Opening of crossing between Gaza, Egypt in question
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday morning, Oct. 16, there is no cease-fire agreement as a crossing between Gaza and Egypt is reportedly set to reopen, allowing aid into the territory and safe passage for foreigners to leave. This comes as Israel continues its retaliation against Hamas for the terrorist attack that killed more than 1,400 people and injured more than 3,000 others.
Authorities in Gaza have said at least 2,750 have been killed so far by the Israeli airstrikes, a quarter of them children, and nearly 10,000 others have been wounded.
Israel had ordered those living in northern Gaza to move south ahead of an expected ground assault, while Hamas has urged them to remain in their homes.
According to the United Nations, more than one million people in Gaza have been displaced since the fighting began.
There are conflicting reports about the Rafah crossing on the border of Egypt and Gaza will open on Monday, Oct. 16. The U.S. has told its citizens living in Gaza to move closer to the border, estimated to be between 500 and 600 people.
On the social media site X, the state department cited local media saying the crossing would be open Monday morning, Oct. 16. A representative for the Palestinian embassy said foreign national Palestinians would be able to cross the border at that time.
But, in addition to Netanyahu’s statement, a Hamas official told Reuters there was “no truth” to the crossing’s opening or a temporary ceasefire.
In the meantime, the Israel defense ministry says Israelis living near the northern border with Lebanon are being evacuated as the Israeli army exchanges fire with the terrorist group Hezbollah.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Israel Monday as the U.S. looks to prevent the war from expanding in the region. Former ambassador to Turkey, David Satterfield, has been appointed special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues. The U.S. says his focus will be to “promote the safety of civilians.”
Americans polled on Israel-Hamas war
On the same day President Biden’s “60 Minutes” interview aired, the results of two new polls were released showing Americans’ views on the war between Israel and Hamas and the president’s performance.
The first poll, a survey conducted by ABC News of 518 U.S. adults, shows a plurality of Americans, 49%, agree with what America is doing to support Israel in the war.
Whereas 29% say the U.S. is doing too little and 18% say the U.S. is doing too much.
In the second poll of 1,003 adults, conducted by CNN, 35% say the U.S. is providing the right amount of assistance to Israel, 15% say too much, and 14% say too little.
When asked about the president’s performance, 54% of those surveyed in the ABC News poll disapproved of Biden’s handling of the situation, compared to 41% in approval.
According to CNN’s poll, 47% of U.S. adults have at least a moderate amount of trust in the president to make the right decisions.
Rite Aid files for bankruptcy
Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy Sunday, Oct. 16, as the pharmacy chain faces billions of dollars in debt and thousands of lawsuits claiming it played a role in the growing opioid crisis.
As part of the restructuring move, the company will close more stores, appoint a new CEO, and work to sell its pharmacy benefit management segment.
Once the nation’s largest drugstore chain, Rite Aid is now a distant third behind CVS and Walgreens. It has reached nearly $3 billion in losses over the past six years.
The filing of bankruptcy puts all lawsuits on hold, including one from the Justice Department, which accuses Rite Aid of ignoring evidence that its pharmacists were filling opioid prescriptions despite “red flags.”
In a statement, the company said it plans to stay in business after securing $3.5 billion in financing and debt reduction agreements from lenders.
Best Buy to stop selling DVDs, Blu-ray discs
On the heels of Netflix ending its DVD-by-mail service, Best Buy has announced it too, will exit the DVD business. The consumer-electronics retailer will no longer sell DVDs and Blu-ray discs in its stores and online starting next year.
Best Buy confirmed the news, saying in a statement, “The way we watch movies and TV shows is much different today than it was decades ago.”
Once the top retailer of DVDs, Best Buy said the change will allow it to bring new technology to customers at its stores and website.
The company will continue to sell video games.
The sale of physical media in the U.S. has been on the decline. According to data from the Digital Entertainment Group, sales have seen a 28% drop in revenue in the first half of 2023 compared to last year.
Ring of fire eclipse shines in parts of U.S.
Unless you were in one of nine states this past weekend, you missed out on seeing a rare event known as a ring of fire eclipse.
This type of eclipse occurs when the moon lines up between the Earth and the sun, blocking out all of the sun except its outer rim, which creates a bright border — the ring of fire.
Saturday’s, Oct. 14, eclipse passed through parts of the western United States, including Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, before crossing into Mexico and portions of Central and South America.
The ring of the fire only lasted around five minutes but was a sight to behold. The next ring of the fire visible in the U.S. will occur in 2034, and you’ll have to be in Alaska to witness it.
Before that, the U.S. will see a total solar eclipse next April.
