The White House warns the U.S. is running out of money to aid Ukraine. And, a house explodes in Virginia as police attempt to execute a search warrant. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.
White House warns U.S. is running out of Ukraine aid
A letter the White House sent to Congress on Monday, Dec. 4, warns that the U.S. will run out of funding to supply Ukraine with weapons in its war with Russia by the end of the year.
“We are out of money—and nearly out of time,” the letter reads in part.
In the letter, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young said cutting off the flow of U.S. weapons and equipment will “kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield” and increase the “likelihood of Russian military victories.”
During a classified briefing, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address U.S. senators by video on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the administration invited Zelenskyy so senators “could hear directly from him precisely what’s at stake.”
The Biden administration is urging Congress to approve a nearly $106 billion funding package that includes aid for Ukraine and Israel. Republicans on Capitol Hill, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said they would only consider additional funding if there are changes to the U.S.-Mexico border policy.
Over the weekend, however, border talks between Senate Republicans and Democrats fell through. Lauren Taylor has a full report on those developments here.
Satellite imagery shows Israel has begun southern Gaza operation
The Israeli army has begun its operations in Southern Gaza. The New York Times analyzed satellite imagery of Israel’s movements and reports Israeli forces are approaching the largest city in the south, where officials believe Hamas leaders have been stationed since leaving the northern section.
According to the Times, images show dozens of armored vehicles positioned in the south amid activity that closely resembled how the Israel Defense Forces operated in northern Gaza. Though the IDF declined to comment, Israeli officials have said in recent days that they will expand their operations all over the Gaza strip.
The United Nations’ Office for Humanitarian Affairs said between Sunday, Dec. 3, and Monday afternoon, Dec. 4, Gaza has seen some of the heaviest shelling since Israel began its strikes on Hamas following the Oct. 7 terror attack.
In a press conference on Monday, Dec. 4, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said it was too soon to make a judgment if Israel was adhering to the United States’ message to be more targeted in their latest attacks in Gaza to limit civilian casualties.
“Now, as you noted, they have actually taken the quite unusual step for a modern military and identified precisely the area that they intend to have ground maneuver and they have asked the people in that area to move out,” Sullivan said.
In response to the evacuation orders, Thomas White, the Gaza director of the United States Agency for Palestinian refugees, said this morning on X that neighborhoods in Gaza with over 600,000 people have been ordered to move. White said this could double the number of displaced people heading to the city of Rafah, something the city would not be able to cope with.
White House condemns protest outside Israeli restaurant in Philadelphia
The White House is condemning a protest outside an Israeli-style falafel restaurant in Philadelphia, calling it antisemitic and completely unjustifiable. Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators seeking a cease-fire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas were recorded on video this past weekend shouting “genocide” outside the restaurant.
The White House’s statement on Monday, Dec. 4, followed one by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, D, who also criticized the protest, calling it a “blatant act of antisemitism and not a peaceful protest.”
Shapiro said, “A restaurant was targeted and mobbed because its owner is Jewish and Israeli. this hate and bigotry is reminiscent of a dark time in history.” The owners of the restaurant have declined to comment as of yet. The mayor of Philadelphia said the city’s Commission of Human Relations would investigate.
Video shows Arlington home explode as police serve warrant
An explosion destroyed a home and sent shockwaves through a neighborhood in Arlington, VA, as police tried to serve a search warrant on Monday night, Dec. 4, and it was all caught on video. Law enforcement said no officers were seriously hurt in the blast. The suspect, who has yet to be identified by police, was the only known person inside the home at the time.
The suspect’s condition is not known at this time. According to police, neighbors reported hearing possible gunshots from inside the home earlier in the day. Police arrived on the scene around 4:25 pm local time and determined the suspect had shot a flare gun 30 to 40 times from inside the home into the neighborhood.
A standoff ensued; police said the suspect fired several rounds from an apparent firearm. Nearly four hours after the start of the incident, officers tried to make contact with the suspect when the blast occurred. Police are investigating the cause of the explosion.
Stage set for 4th GOP presidential primary debate
Wednesday’s Dec. 6 Republican primary presidential debate will see four candidates take the stage as the GOP field continues to shrink. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have qualified for the fourth primary debate, the Republican National Committee announced Monday, Dec. 4.
The GOP frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, citing his poll numbers, is once again skipping the debate. Instead, he will be holding a private fundraiser. Trump will also appear during a town hall on Fox News Tuesday, Dec. 5.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who did not qualify for the last debate, suspended his campaign hours before the RNC’s announcement. NewsNation hosts Wednesday’s Dec. 6 debate in Alabama.
NYC hotel offering ‘Home Alone 2’ package
New York City expects to welcome nearly 7 million tourists during this holiday season, which means many hotel rooms will be booked. If you’re one of those visitors seeking a different kind of hotel experience, one with a bit of 90s nostalgia, this is a story for you.
The Plaza Hotel offers “a Home Alone 2: Fun in New York package,” allowing guests to experience some of the movie’s most iconic scenes. The package includes a four-hour limo ride around the Big Apple while visiting locations from the movie, including Central Park, the Empire State Building, and Radio City Music Hall.
Guests will also eat like the character Kevin does in the film, dining on a large cheese pizza and a 16-scoop ice cream sundae. Those who book the package can also celebrate “Home Alone” star Macaulay Culkin, who just received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week.
