Israel continues its retaliation on Hamas in Gaza as the White House confirms 11 Americans were killed in the militant group’s surprise attack. And thousands of pharmacy employees walk out of stores across the country citing unsafe working conditions – these stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Oct. 10, 2023.
Israel regains control of Gaza border; 11 Americans dead
Israel said this morning it has re-established control over the Gaza border after another night of air raids following the surprise deadly assault by the Hamas militant group early Saturday, Oct. 7.
The death toll continues to rise as at least 900 Israelis have been killed including at least 11 Americans, with thousands more injured. The Israeli Defense Forces says it has found around 1,500 bodies of Hamas fighters inside the country and near the Gaza Strip.
The IDF also said it planted mines where Hamas had created gaps in the border with Gaza during the initial attack.
According to Israeli officials, Hamas has taken more than 100 hostages, including women and children, back to Gaza.
Hamas, a group categorized as terrorists by both the United States and Israel, has threatened to kill a civilian hostage every time Israel bombs a Palestinian home without warning.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 687 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s air strikes, including 140 children, with thousands of others wounded.
Israel has called up 300,000 reserve troops and imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip as the country is expected to plan a ground assault in the coming days.
President Joe Biden along with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom vowed their support for Israel and condemned the actions of Hamas in a joint statement.
The statement read in part:
“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism… Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities.”
The leaders of the five nations say they recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people but say Hamas does not represent those aspirations.
The United States is showing its support for Israel by moving its largest Navy ship, the Ford carrier strike group, to the Eastern Mediterranean.
With the war between Israel and Hamas on its fourth day, three U.S. airlines have suspended service to the city of Tel Aviv. United, American, and Delta canceled multiple flights. United said that will remain the case until conditions allow them to resume.
President Biden is scheduled to deliver a speech on the war at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
President Biden interviewed by special counsel over classified documents
Over the course of two days, President Biden was interviewed by special counsel Robert Hur as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents, the White House confirmed Monday.
A spokesperson says the president and the White House have been cooperating with the investigation since the beginning and have been providing updates publicly where “it has been appropriate.”
Sources tell multiple news outlets the voluntary interview conducted on Sunday, Oct. 8, and Monday, Oct. 9, was scheduled weeks ago, and it could be a sign the investigation is nearing its end.
Hur was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland after classified documents were found in Biden’s Delaware home and a Washington, D.C. office he used after his days of being vice president.
The investigation into President Biden comes as former President Donald Trump is facing his own charges related to classified documents – charges he has denied.
A trial is set for May in Florida, though last week, Trump’s lawyers filed a motion to try and push it back. The special counsel in that case, Jack Smith said there’s no “credible justification” to move the trial date.
Walgreens employees walk out over unsafe working conditions
Employees of the pharmacy chain Walgreens are the next set of workers to walk out of their jobs in hopes of securing better working conditions.
Thousands of pharmacists, technicians, and support staff began a planned three-day walkout on Monday Oct. 9 at stores across the country. Some pharmacies in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Oregon have temporarily closed.
An organizer told the Washington Post that increasing demands on understaffed employees led to the walkout, saying they are being asked to administer vaccines while also dealing with hundreds of prescriptions making it impossible to do their job responsibly.
Walgreens replied, telling the Post that the company understands the last few years have been “unprecedented” and “a very challenging time.” Walgreens says it is making significant investments in pharmacist wages and is listening to their concerns.
Last week, pharmacy employees in multiple CVS stores in Kansas City staged a similar walkout.
Employees at both companies are not unionized. Reports say Walgreens’ walkout came together on the online site Reddit.
Writers ratify new contract with studios
One union that did walk out for better working conditions, the Writers Guild of America, voted overwhelmingly to ratify its new contract on Monday, Oct. 9. This formally ends one of the longest labor disputes in the history of Hollywood of nearly 150 days.
WGA members voted 99% in favor of the contract. The agreement between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television and Producers runs through May of 2026. It focuses on increases in pay and the use of artificial intelligence.
The Writers Guild is now urging the Alliance to work out a deal with SAG-AFTRA as Hollywood actors have been on strike since July.
Man climbs Santa Monica Ferris wheel claiming to have bomb
It was not fun and games at the Santa Monica Pier on Monday, Oct. 9, as a man climbed the iconic Ferris wheel with riders aboard claiming to be carrying a bomb.
The pier was evacuated as police and firefighters responded to the scene. Emergency officials used a lift to reach the riders on the 130-foot Ferris wheel.
Police said on the social media site X, they were “dealing with a person in crisis.” About an hour after the incident started, the man began climbing down the structure.
Once on the ground, he was apprehended. Police said there was no bomb and the pier soon reopened to visitors.
Flag football could be added to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Organizers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have delivered a proposal to add flag football to the program. The decision ultimately comes down to the International Olympic Committee who will vote during meetings in India over the next week.
Other sports being considered for the LA games include baseball, softball, lacrosse, squash and cricket. Breakdancing, which we will see in Paris next year, will not be part of the LA edition
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be the first in the United States in 32 years.
