IDF finds Hezbollah tunnels, weapons cache, says it prevented major attack
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered a Hezbollah compound hidden beneath a civilian home in a Lebanese border village, which the military says thwarted a planned attack on Israel. According to IDF officials, the compound contained weapons and motorcycles and was being prepared by Hezbollah’s Radwan forces for a large-scale infiltration into Israeli territory.
IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the bunker, located a few miles from Israel’s northern border, was intended for an attack exceeding the scale of the Oct. 7 incident. The reported plan involved Hezbollah militants using motorcycles to enter Israeli villages and carry out mass killings.
The IDF released footage that shows weapons, ammunition and motorcycles inside the bunker. Fresh food and coffee were also found, suggesting Hezbollah militants occupied it shortly before its discovery. IDF soldiers also found a portrait of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who Israeli forces recently killed in an airstrike in Beirut, in the compound.
One Hezbollah operative was reportedly killed during the raid when an Israeli airstrike targeted the bunker.
“The world is a better place without Nasrallah,” Hagari said, referring to the late leader.
Hagari also emphasized Israel’s ongoing efforts to protect its citizens from Hezbollah’s activities and affirmed that necessary measures would be taken to prevent future attacks.
In coordinated operations along the northern border, the IDF dismantled several Hezbollah compounds and seized weapon caches, including advanced Iranian-made missiles and other military equipment. Hagari explained that these actions are part of a broader strategy to prevent Hezbollah’s “Conquer the Galilee” plan: a stated intention to launch an offensive in northern Israel.
The IDF’s operations are focused on removing Hezbollah’s military infrastructure along the border to prevent attacks that could escalate the conflict. By dismantling these compounds, the IDF aims to ensure the safe return of Israeli civilians to northern regions, where tensions have displaced many residents.
US sending troops, anti-missile system to Israel as war escalates
The United States is sending troops and an anti-missile system to Israel. And an incredible landing has SpaceX cheering and thinking about future missions. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.
US sending troops, anti-missile system to Israel as war escalates
Iran has now warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.
“While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X.
This comes as Israel said at least four of its soldiers were killed in a drone attack by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah Sunday, Oct. 13. At least 60 other people were injured in the attack on an army base in central Israel, including seven soldiers.
http://twitter.com/IDF/status/1845719319449145830
Hezbollah said the attack was in response to Israeli strikes on Beirut last week that left 22 people dead.
An attack this deadly in Israel is unusual. Its advanced air defense systems usually spot a threat well beforehand. Israel has said it’s investigating how the drone entered the country without triggering an alert.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes left at least 40 people dead in Gaza Sunday, including 13 children, according to local officials. One of those strikes was at a hospital in central Gaza, where thousands of displaced Palestinians were sheltering.
The Israeli military said it was a precise strike on a Hamas command center “embedded inside a compound that previously served as the ‘Shuhadah Al-Aqsa’ hospital.” Israel’s military also said it took steps to limit harm to civilians in the attack.
Authorities said the Nevada man had a shotgun, a loaded handgun, ammunition and several fake passports with him when he was stopped near where the rally was being held in Coachella.
Deputies assigned to the rally said they stopped the 49-year-old suspect as he was driving an unregistered vehicle with a “homemade” license plate. They said the man claimed to be a journalist.
The man passed an outer security boundary before being stopped at an inner perimeter, patrolled by local deputies. Authorities said former President Trump was not yet at the rally when the arrest happened, and he was “not in any danger.”
The suspect has since been released on $5,000 bail. Court records show his next appearance is scheduled for Jan. 2.
Biden approves $612 million to support Florida’s hurricane-ravaged communities
As hundreds of thousands remain without power and flooding continues to be an issue, President Biden visited Florida on Sunday for the second time in less than a week. This time it was to get a firsthand look at communities ravaged by Hurricane Milton.
On Saturday, Biden approved a disaster declaration to give federal funding to people affected by Milton, including grants for temporary housing, home repairs and loans. Biden said more than 250,000 Floridians have already registered for help, which he said was “the most in a single day ever in the history of this country.”
Trial begins in mysterious murders of 2 Indiana teenagers
Investigators arrested Allen in 2022 in connection to the deaths of 14-year-old Libby German and 13-year-old Abby Williams, five years after the girls disappeared while walking on a trail in the town of Delphi near an abandoned bridge. Searchers found their bodies a day later.
SpaceX pulled off an incredible feat on Sunday, successfully launching its fifth test flight of its unmanned Starship spacecraft. However, it was the return of the Super Heavy rocket booster that wowed the crowd, as well as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
For the first time, after breaking off from the Starship, the 232-foot-tall booster returned to Earth but didn’t land in the ocean like the spacecraft would. Instead, it returned to the Texas launch pad, caught by two mechanical arms which SpaceX calls “chopsticks.”
Elon Musk called the moment a “big step towards making life multiplanetary.”
SpaceX is hoping its Starship system will one day take people to the moon and Mars — with plans to use the capsule to transport NASA astronauts to the moon as soon as 2026.
‘Game of Thrones’ Iron Throne sells for $1.49 million
One “Game of Thrones” fan is sitting pretty, or at least powerfully, after taking the iconic “Iron Throne.” Unlike the characters in the HBO drama, the winner didn’t have to go through eight seasons of fighting, just a six-minute bidding war and $1.5 million.
This 310-pound plastic version of the throne was used during promotional and touring events for the series.
In total, Heritage auctions said its three-day auction in Dallas raked in more than $21 million dollars, making it the company’s second biggest entertainment event ever — behind the $22.8 million record set in 2011 by the Debbie Reynolds sale.
At least 15 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
The death toll from Hurricane Milton rises as millions are left without power in the storm’s aftermath. And one person is killed and 12 others rescued after a disaster during a tour of a Colorado mine. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
At least 8 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
At least 15 people are dead (that number has risen since Unbiased Updates was recorded Friday morning, Oct. 11), and 2.6 million homes and businesses remain without power as Florida begins to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Milton roared across the state. It was the second devastating storm to batter the Sunshine State in less than two weeks.
Now a post-tropical cyclone, Milton is expected to continue to weaken over the next few days.
While Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast near Sarasota, most of the deaths reported have been in the eastern part of the state, where dozens of tornadoes have been reported. While the storm did not prove to be the worst-case scenario, rescuers have been very busy pulling and dragging hundreds of people from flooded areas to safety.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have both said in this case, warnings came early and often, spurring tens of thousands of people to evacuate and saving countless lives.
Still, the cleanup and recovery processes are expected to take weeks, if not months — especially in the areas that were also hit by Hurricane Helene just 13 days before Milton barreled in.
1 dead, 12 rescued after elevator malfunction at Colorado gold mine
In Colorado, 12 people are now safe after getting trapped at the bottom of a gold mine for six hours Thursday, Oct. 10. One person died after the elevator at the Mollie Kathleen Mine, a popular tourist attraction, experienced a mechanical problem 500 feet below the earth’s surface.
The 12 adults had access to water and were able to communicate with authorities via radio while trapped. As that group was stuck, rescuers were able to get to 11 other people who were riding the elevator and get them to safety.
The local sheriff said it is not yet known what caused the malfunction. An investigation is underway.
The incident happened during the final week of Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine‘s tourist season before it shuts down for the winter.
Chemical leak at Houston oil refinery kills 2, injures dozens more
Two people are dead and 35 more are injured after a chemical leak involving hydrogen sulfide, a potentially toxic gas, at an oil refinery in Deer Park, Texas — near Houston. Officials said a group was working on a flange Thursday when some kind of accident happened, and gas started leaking.
Emergency officials urged residents in the area to shelter in place after the incident, but this morning, that’s since been lifted after air monitoring showed no signs hazardous chemicals had gotten into the air.
Trump talks economic plan in Detroit; Obama rallies for Harris in PA
With just 25 days until Americans head to the polls, voters in two battleground states heard from two former presidents on Thursday. Republican nominee former President Donald Trump spoke to supporters in Detroit, Michigan while former President Barack Obama – stumped for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
While delivering his economic address to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump spoke about his goal to revive the auto industry and bring a “rebirth” to Detroit. He then turned to international companies and his plan for them to open facilities in America.
“So, here is the deal that I will be offering to the world to companies outside of our world — big companies, powerful companies that have become powerful because we were stupid, we were stupid, we allowed them to come and raid and rape our country,” Trump said. “That’s what they did. ‘Oh, he used the word rape.’ That’s right, I used the word. They raped our country. The United States will give you the lowest taxes, the lowest energy cost, we have more liquid gold under our feet than any other country in the world and it’s the best…But only if you make your products here in America. In other words, you get all of these assets, but you have to make your product here in America and you have to hire American workers.”
“Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been,” Obama said. “That’s who Kamala is.”
He added, “I’m sorry gentlemen; I’ve noticed this especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior of bullying and of putting people down is a sign of strength. I am here to tell you, that is not what real strength is. Real strength is about working hard and carrying a heavy load without complaining and telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves. That is what we should want for our daughters and for our sons and that is what I want to see in a president for the United States of America.”
Hezbollah official escapes during deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities say Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Beirut killed 22 people and injured 117 others. Sources told Reuters a senior Hezbollah official, targeted by Israeli forces during the Thursday night strikes, was able to survive.
Israel has not commented on the attack.
The United Nations said its personnel is facing increasing danger in Lebanon as two U.N. peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower at its main headquarters in the southern portion of the country. Israel issued a statement on that incident, saying its military operated “next to” the U.N.’s base and had instructed U.N. officials to remain in protected spaces before its troops opened fire.
Hezbollah operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near @UNIFIL_ posts.
The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.
IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base.…
The peacekeepers were said to be in good condition after being treated for their injuries.
Sports leagues come together to combat hate in America
In a sign of true sportsmanship, eight American sports leagues have come together to back a new campaign targeting hate in the U.S. It is an idea from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his foundation to combat antisemitism.
The initiative brought together the heads of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHK, NASCAR and others to come up with plans to curb hate of any kind in the country. The sports leaders are spending $50 million to get the word out.
The campaign, titled “Timeout Against Hate,” launched during Thursday night football on Oct. 10, with a commercial featuring legendary figures and current-day athletes from all sports speaking out against hate.
Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s already hard-hit west coast
Hurricane Milton, which strengthened to a Category 5 storm, spins closer to southwest Florida. And it’ll cost you a little more for a chance at the big Mega Millions jackpot. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s already hard-hit west coast
Still reeling from Hurricane Helene, Florida’s west coast is hunkering down once again as Hurricane Milton barrels that way. As of early Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, it was a Category 4 storm.
The storm intensified to a major Category 5 hurricane Monday before being downgraded. Still, it threatens to bring torrential rain to already-soaked and flooded parts of the Sunshine State.
The National Hurricane Center said people on Florida’s west coast should expect “devastating hurricane force winds” and life-threatening storm surges. Some predictions call for 15 feet of storm surge.
Evacuations have already been ordered in some parts of the state, including the Tampa Bay area. Residents in some areas have been told first responders are not expected to risk their lives to try to save those who do evacuate in time.
Less than 24 hours after the world marked one year of war in the Middle East, Israel exchanged deadly strikes with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah has been striking Israel since its war with Hamas began as a show of solidarity for the other Iran-backed militant group, but the deadly violence has escalated significantly in recent weeks, with the killings of top Hezbollah leaders.
Trump, Harris commemorate anniversary of Oct. 7 terror attacks
As the 2024 presidential campaign heads into the final four weeks, both candidates marked the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
On Monday morning, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump visited the New York gravesite of a renowned rabbi in the Orthodox Judaism community, leaving a stone atop the headstone, a traditional Jewish custom.
Trump later held a remembrance ceremony at his golf club in Miami, which included Jewish community leaders, Holocaust survivors and Republican lawmakers.
“October 7 was not just the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, it was not just the worst terror attack since 9/11, it was an attack on humanity itself,” Trump said. “It was a hideous, incredible cruelty. It was chilling savagery. It was a demonic delight and the destruction of innocent life. On October 7, it seemed as if the gates of hell had sprung open and unleashed their horrors onto the world. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff helped plant a pomegranate tree outside the VP’s residence in Washington, D.C., dedicating it to the 1,200 people killed a year ago in Israel — including 46 Americans.
https://twitter.com/VP/status/1843457053966193110
“So, in this moment, on the one-year commemoration of October 7, what is asked of us?” Harris said. “What is asked of us? First and foremost, I believe that we must never forget. I will never forget October 7 and the world must never forget. What is asked of us? We must work to ensure nothing like the horrors of October 7 can never happen again. And on this solemn day, I will restate my pledge to always ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself, and that I will always work to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish people here and around the world.”
Later Tuesday, Vice President Harris will continue her media blitz with stops at “The View,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Howard Stern Show.” On Wednesday, former President Trump is scheduled to hold two rallies in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
Mexican mayor killed less than a week after taking office
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is expected to present her strategy to confront the country’s security problems Tuesday. The country’s first woman president — inaugurated less than a week ago — is reportedly going to present a plan that will highlight law and order amid the growing violence linked to drug cartels and organized crime.
Arcos is the latest politician to be murdered in the country, with 37 candidates assassinated leading up to Mexico’s most recent elections this past June.
Google ordered to open app store after anti-trust ruling
The ruling comes in the wake of a jury verdict last year in favor of Fortnite game maker Epic Games, which found Google was illegally blocking competition.
Mega Millions raising ticket prices, improving odds to win
If you play the lottery, get ready to shell out more money for a chance at that mega jackpot. Mega Millions announced some big changes to its lottery game — including an increase in ticket prices.
Starting in April, tickets will cost $5 per play, more than double the current price of $2. It’ll be the game’s second price increase since 2002.
Mega Millions said this is all part of its “mega” overhaul, which will see improved odds of winning the jackpot and bigger jackpots more often.
Since launching more than 20 years ago, Mega Millions — which is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands — has seen six $1 billion winners.
New details revealed for deadly pager attack operation on Hezbollah
Israeli intelligence agency Mossad used an elaborate covert operation involving explosive-laden pagers to carry out a massive strike on Hezbollah, killing dozens and injuring thousands of the group’s operatives, according to The Washington Post. The operation, which took place in September, targeted the militant group’s communication network across Lebanon and Syria, dealing a significant blow to its leadership and operations.
The attack was the result of years of planning, starting in 2015 when Mossad began inserting modified walkie-talkies in Lebanon. Initially, these devices were used solely for surveillance.
In 2023, however, Mossad shifted its approach by posing as the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo and offering Hezbollah a seemingly secure communication device: the Apollo AR-924 pager. These pagers were touted as hack-proof and built to withstand harsh battlefield conditions.
Hezbollah purchased 5,000 of the Apollo pagers and distributed them to its fighters across Lebanon and Syria, unaware that the devices contained hidden bombs.
Getty Images
Mossad engineers implanted the bombs so discreetly that they were virtually undetectable, even with X-ray scanners. The pagers also required a two-step decryption process to read encrypted messages, forcing users to handle the devices with both hands.
In September, Mossad remotely triggered the explosives, causing thousands of pagers to detonate simultaneously. The explosions injured as many as 3,000 Hezbollah operatives and significantly weakened the group’s command structure.
In the aftermath of the initial strike, Mossad followed up 24 hours later with a second attack, this time targeting Hezbollah operatives using the walkie-talkies from the 2015 operation.
Israeli forces then launched airstrikes that culminated in the death of Hezbollah’s leader, Hasan Nasrallah, further crippling the group’s leadership.
The United States was reportedly not informed of the operation in advance. With tensions between Hezbollah, Iran and Israel already high, the long-term consequences of this unprecedented strike remain unclear.
One year since Hamas attacks on Israel sparked war
One year later, people around the world are marking the anniversary of Hamas’ terror attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing war in the Middle East. And Florida is once again on high alert as another hurricane barrels toward the Sunshine State. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.
One year since Hamas attacks on Israel started war
It’s now been one year since Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people, taking 250 others hostage and setting off a war in the Middle East that shows no signs of stopping.
In what appears to be a major new offensive, the Israeli military said it struck Hamas targets across Gaza Sunday night, Oct. 6, after issuing evacuation warnings for much of the north. Meanwhile, Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at Tel Aviv, as leaders of the militant group celebrated one year of war, saying they sent Israel back to “square one, and it is now living an existential war.” They also called for Palestinians to escalate their resistance.
Israel also carried out heavy strikes on Beirut and sent more troops into Lebanon as part of its ground invasion targeting Hezbollah. The terror organization has been attacking Israel in a show of solidarity since Hamas started the war last year.
Both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran, which denies having anything to do with last October’s attacks. However, Iran marked the first anniversary by praising the attacks.
Many more people marked the day in a more somber way. Family members of the more than 350 people killed at Israel’s Nova music festival gathered at the site to hold a memorial.
Protests were also held across the globe as millions call for an end to the war. Many protesters are focusing on the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza, who have seen the brunt of the impacts of this war.
Since last year, Palestinian health officials say more than 41,800 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 16,000 children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated numerous times that Israel will not stop until Hamas has been wiped out.
Harris interview to air on ’60 Minutes;’ Trump to appear on Fox News
The 2024 presidential candidates are making their presence known this week with just 29 days to go until Election Day.
Vice President Kamala Harris is on a media tour that began on Sunday, Oct. 6, with the Democratic nominee appearing as a guest on Alex Cooper’s podcast “Call Her Daddy.” Tuesday, Oct. 8, she will make stops at “The View,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and “The Howard Stern Show.”
Monday night, Oct. 7, “60 Minutes” will air its election special that includes a pre-recorded interview with the vice president. CBS News released a preview of the interview, showing the moment when reporter Bill Whitaker asked Harris about the United States’ relationship with Israel.
“When we think about the threat Hamas, Hezbollah presents, Iran, I think it is without question our imperative to do what we can to allow Israel to defend itself against those kinds of attacks,” she said. “Now the work that we do diplomatically with the leadership of Israel is an ongoing pursuit around making clear our principles which include the need for humanitarian aid, the need for this war to end, the need for a deal to be done which would release the hostages and create a cease-fire and we’re not going to stop in terms of putting that pressure on Israel and in the region including Arab leaders.”
“The hospital was great, and I didn’t realize this, I never knew they did — when a president goes to an area, they close the hospital entirely,” he said. “It’s ready for exactly this. I didn’t know they did that, but they did. So, the hospital, I got there, the doctors were outside, the nurse and no people. They literally close it and almost like they expect this. It’s a genius thing, but who would ever think that. And I was so impressed.”
Over the weekend, Trump returned to Butler for the first time since the shooting, holding a rally with his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Monday, Trump is scheduled to hold an Oct. 7 remembrance ceremony at his golf club in Miami. Meanwhile Vice President Harris is set to deliver remarks and plant a tree at the vice presidential residence in Washington, D.C. to mark the anniversary.
Florida braces for Hurricane Milton on the heels of Helene
Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene blasted parts of Florida, another severe big storm is on the way. Tropical Storm Milton intensified in the Gulf of Mexico Monday morning to a Category 2 hurricane, with forecasters predicting it could make landfall on Florida’s west coast on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Residents have begun preparing for Milton, which reports say could reach Category 4 strength before making landfall in the Tampa Bay area as a Category 3.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has warned of high storm surge and more power outages, and that locations already struck by Helene will possibly be affected by Milton. Helene killed more than 200 people across six states.
Gov. DeSantis warned people who live on the west coast of Florida to be prepared to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton. In fact, some evacuation orders are already in effect for people who live in manufactured homes or on their boats along the Sun Coast.
Supreme Court to hear cases on guns, porn, transgender rights
A new U.S. Supreme Court term begins Monday, with the justices returning to the bench from their summer break to decide on dozens of cases, including those involving guns, the adult entertainment industry and transgender issues.
On Tuesday, the court will hear arguments on a case concerning the regulation of ghost guns. Manufacturers and gun rights groups argue the Biden administration overstepped its authority to require background checks on these types of firearm kits.
Frontier Airlines plane catches fire while landing in Las Vegas
Scary moments were caught on video as a Frontier Airlines plane caught fire while landing at a Las Vegas airport over the weekend. The airline released a statement saying the pilots detected smoke while the plane was in the process of landing Saturday, Oct. 5.
Frontier said all 190 passengers and seven crew members on board were evacuated and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
LeBron James joins son Bronny on NBA court for the first time
Though it was a preseason game, it was still another accomplishment for the elder James, who at age 39 is entering his 22nd NBA season. LeBron James will likely make more NBA history when he joins his son on the court during the regular season.
Adding to the special moment, Sunday was also Bronny’s 20th birthday.
US pushing to elect new Lebanese president as Hezbollah weakens
The U.S. reportedly wants to take advantage of Hezbollah’s weakened state after recent Israeli airstrikes to help elect a new Lebanese president. Lebanon has been without a president for almost two years, which has only made its political and economic crisis worse.
In late September, Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, along with several top commanders, leaving the group at its weakest in years. U.S. officials said the Biden administration now sees an opportunity to reduce Hezbollah’s influence and back Gen. Joseph Aoun, the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, for the presidency.
Lebanon’s presidency has been vacant since October 2022 when Michel Aoun, an ally of Hezbollah, finished his term. The U.S., along with France and several Arab nations, tried to mediate the election, but Hezbollah consistently blocked any effort to elect a candidate who wasn’t aligned with them.
Lebanon’s acting prime minister is calling for a president who represents all Lebanese citizens, and is not aligned with any faction over others.
The U.S. said electing a new president is more urgent than brokering a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. U.S. officials are now focused on breaking the deadlock, with plans to address border tensions and appoint a new prime minister once a president is in place.
The life expectancy for Hezbollah leaders is getting pretty short these days. In the early morning hours of Oct. 4, Israel struck several buildings near Beirut, Lebanon, reducing them all to rubble.
The target of the strike was Hashem Safieddine, the cousin of and apparent successor to Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s founder and longtime leader, who himself was killed less than a week prior in another massive Israeli airstrike.
Safieddine was reportedly meeting with what’s left of Hezbollah’s senior leadership. It wasn’t immediately clear before publish time whether anyone survived the strike.
“Israel is demonstrating what almost absolute intelligence understanding of another organization looks like,” Jon Molik, an active U.S. intelligence officer, said.
“This is an interesting scenario because Hezbollah is, without a doubt, reeling,” Molik said. “It’s true to say that at times if you just cut off the head of an organization, if the organization is strong enough, another person can find his way into the leadership position and the organization can kind of stumble forward and regain its feet. This is not the case for Hezbollah right now.”
In addition to targeting Hezbollah’s leadership, the Israel Defense Forces are also going after the group on the ground. Earlier this week, Israel invaded southern Lebanon for the fourth time in Israel’s history. However, Molik thinks Israel is in a much stronger position this time, and all the work the IDF did to prepare the battlespace seems to be paying off.
“There are indirect fire attacks, and [Hezbollah fighters are] throwing some squad-level elements at the Israelis. But, you know, they just don’t have a central command from Beirut right now,” Molik said in an exclusive interview with Straight Arrow News. “It’s going to be, I hate to use the word ‘easy,’ but it isn’t going to be as challenging for Israel to conduct the operations in southern Lebanon against these Hezbollah fighters — as it was a few decades ago. Because Hezbollah is just not in a place to respond in any organized way.”
Not only is Israel in a stronger position this time around, but Israel also won’t be dealing with many of the same constraints that the battlespace in Gaza presented.
Gaza’s pre-war population was more than 2 million people, and they were all packed into a very small space. Israel blocked off or closed all of the border crossings from Gaza into Israel, and Egypt closed its border with Gaza as well.
There was a lot of potential for human collateral damage in the area, which really constrained what Israel was able to do. There was a lot of urban warfare and building-to-building fighting between Israel and Hamas. Obviously, the underground tunnels were a huge concern too.
So the fighting in Gaza is a different style than what Israel might be facing in Lebanon’s South, where there are open fields. The area is certainly nowhere near as populated as Gaza.
Molik said Israel’s primary goal will be to clear Hezbollah fighters in the area between its northern border and the Litani River, a little less than 20 miles away. That would create enough of a buffer space that most of Hezbollah’s rockets and artillery would be fairly ineffective attacking Israel’s North.
It’s also why Molik said it’s worth it for Israel to take its time and do the operation right, and not rush anything.
“The whole purpose of the operation isn’t to seize territory,” Molik said. “That’s what Russia wanted to do initially. They wanted to seize Kiev. It wasn’t about killing every single Ukrainian soldier and taking every single town on the way there.
“This operation in Israel is different. It’s not about seizing territory. It’s about literally taking care of, eliminating – whatever the language you want to use – every single munition point and every single soldier. If they take it slowly now, and they’re able to verify and validate they’ve removed all of those locations and all of those personnel, they can head back to Israel and open up a clear space for those 60-ish thousand Israelis to return to the North.
“And then Hezbollah is going to have to take years and years and years in order to reestablish itself. And potentially Israel isn’t going to let that happen like they did before. That’s kind of for another discussion, but at least right now, Israel wants to make sure that there is zero Hezbollah left in any place south of the Litani River. It’s a good analogy to say ‘slow is smooth and smooth is fast’ in this instance.”
And if Israel is successful at pushing Hezbollah back, and maybe dismantling the organization, Molik said that could open up room for Lebanon’s official army to return to the region and maybe help prevent another Iranian proxy from setting up shop.
Lebanon’s nearly 900 displacement shelters are almost full amid crisis
United Nations (U.N.) officials warn that a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Lebanon. The U.N. revealed on Friday, Oct. 4, that most of the country’s nearly 900 emergency shelters can no longer take people in. Hotels and nightclubs are now opening their doors to those in need.
Beirut and Mount Lebanon reportedly said that their shelters are full. However, U.N. officials said other cities had some space in shelters. Many of the shelters are schools with education put on hold due to escalating violence.
Meanwhile, nearly half of the people in the country’s emergency shelters were children as of Thursday, Oct. 3, and facilities said previously they were operating beyond capacity, according to humanitarian officials.
Additionally, some people in Lebanon are staying on the streets because they are reportedly refugees from other countries and fear being deported.
The U.N. also revealed that roads are jam-packed in Lebanon with people caught in the crossfire between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah militants. Many are unable to leave the country because of Israeli airstrikes that have cut off Lebanon’s border with Syria.
A hospital was also evacuated on Friday as Israeli shelling knocked out the facility’s service temporarily.
More than 1.2 million Lebanese people have reportedly been forced to flee their homes and more than 2,000 have been killed amid the conflict over the past year.
The strike is over for now, as thousands of dockworkers return to their jobs after a tentative agreement to raise their pay. And why after more than three decades in prison , the Menendez brothers — infamous for killing their parents — might have their case reviewed and the factor it all hinges on. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
Tens of thousands of U.S. dockworkers are getting back on the job after two days of a strike that clogged dozens of East and Gulf coast ports. The historic labor action, which threatened to drive inflation back up, is now on hold until at least January 15.
Thursday night, Oct. 3, members of the International Longshoremen’s Association struck a tentative deal with the U.S. Maritime Alliance over pay. The agreement will increase workers’ wages by 62% over the span of six years.
The agreement is an increase over the Maritime Alliance’s offer of 50% earlier this week, but a compromise for the ILA, which has called for a 77% increase in wages over the same time period.
The new deal would bring hourly pay for top dockworkers to $63 per hour by the end of the deal, compared to $39 an hour under the most recently expired contract.
Dockworkers had also been calling for a total ban on automation, but no deal was reached on that. Sources close to the matter have said that will be the main topic of negotiations between now and Jan. 15.
I applaud the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance for coming together to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports and ensure the availability of critical supplies for Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.
More Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut
Powerful blasts rocked Beirut Thursday night into Friday morning, Oct. 4, as Israel unleashed some of its heaviest strikes on the Lebanese capital city yet. This comes as Iran’s foreign minister is in Beirut meeting with Lebanese officials over the expanding conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Thursday, Israel ordered more evacuations for villages in southern Lebanon, potentially signaling plans to broaden the ground invasion there. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run news agency said an Israeli strike took out the main highway between Lebanon and Syria, which tens of thousands of people have used over the past two weeks to flee the escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
🔴Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Communications Unit, during a precise, intelligence-based strike in Beirut yesterday.
Sakafi was a senior Hezbollah terrorist, who was responsible for the communications unit since 2000. Sakafi invested significant efforts… pic.twitter.com/PH65nh5FLI
The Israeli military also said it killed another top Hezbollah militant, Mohammed Anisi, in a recent strike on Beirut. Hezbollah has not yet confirmed that claim.
Three ex-officers found guilty in Tyre Nichols beating death
A federal jury convicted three former Memphis police officers in the 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols Thursday, but they were acquitted of the most serious charges. The jury found Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith guilty of witness tampering for covering up the attack. Haley was also convicted of violating Nichols’ civil rights.
Nichols died three days after the officers brutally beat him following a traffic stop. The officers now face up to 20 years in prison for the witness tampering convictions while Haley’s civil rights violation conviction carries up to 10 years. Sentencing is pending with a hearing scheduled to determine whether they will remain in custody.
The case has triggered federal investigations into Memphis police practices, and Nichols’ family has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city and its police department.
In a statement, the assistant U.S. attorney who oversees the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “Tyre Nichols should be alive today.”
35 years later, Menendez brothers’ case under review following claims of parental abuse
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced his office will review the convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez, nearly 35 years after they were imprisoned for killing their parents in 1989. New evidence, including a letter from Erik Menendez alleging sexual abuse by their father, prompted the reexamination.
Gascón stressed that while the brothers’ guilt is not being contested, the new evidence and changing views on sexual abuse require a review. The attorney for the Menendez brothers argues they’ve been rehabilitated and is seeking a re-sentencing.
A hearing on Nov. 29 will determine the next steps, which could include a new trial or an adjusted sentence.
Country star Garth Brooks accused of rape
A former employee has come forward accusing country music superstar Garth Brooks of sexual assault and battery. In a the lawsuit, the woman said she worked as his hair and makeup artist.
The lawsuit alleges in 2019, Brooks raped the woman during a work trip in Los Angeles.
Before this lawsuit was made public, CNN reported an anonymous celebrity plaintiff — now identified as Brooks — had tried to block the woman from suing and denied the claims.
In a statement released to the media, Brooks said, “For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars.”
If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! love, g pic.twitter.com/q6FFLrJO0a
He went on to say, “Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of—ugly acts no human should ever do to another. We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides.”
Category 4 Hurricane Kirk strengthens, expected to stay offshore
Hurricane Kirk, a powerful Category 4 storm, is churning in the Atlantic, with forecasters warning of dangerous swells that could impact the U.S. east coast, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas by this weekend. Though the hurricane is expected to remain far from land, its waves might cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
NEW: #Kirk is now a major #hurricane with 125mph sustained winds and will strengthen to *near Category 5 strength* over the next couple of days. Certainly thankful it will remain out to sea and no threat to land! #HurricaneKirk#weatherpic.twitter.com/frSGbEgtFe
As Kirk strengthens, Tropical Storm Leslie has also formed in the Atlantic but poses no immediate threat to land.
Meanwhile, the southeast is still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which left more than 200 people dead and caused catastrophic damage. Rescue efforts continue as many residents remain without water, power and communication services.
President Joe Biden has visited the region to survey the devastation, pledging federal aid for debris removal and recovery efforts in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
