Israel releases new details after three hostages taken by Hamas were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops. And, a driver crashes into President Biden’s motorcade outside his campaign headquarters. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.
Israel reveals more details on 3 hostages mistakenly killed by IDF troops
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel on Monday morning, Dec. 18, his second visit since the war began, looking to emphasize the Biden administration’s stance of supporting Israel’s fight against Hamas while raising concerns to Israeli officials over civilian casualties in Gaza.
Austin’s visit comes as Israel revealed more information overnight about the three hostages taken by Hamas who were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops on Friday, Dec. 15, in the Gaza City area.
They were identified as Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka and Alon Shamriz.
The Israel Defense Forces said the three men, all identified as Israelis, had emerged from a building shirtless in an effort to show they were not carrying explosives and waving makeshift white flags. In an update, the military said the hostages tried to use leftover food to create signs calling for help.
The hostages were mistakenly seen as threats, Israel said, and soldiers opened fire, killing two immediately. Officials said the third ran back into a building screaming in Hebrew. Though the Israeli commander ordered soldiers to stop firing, more shots were fired, killing the third man.
The IDF said the shooting occurred during a period of “intense combat” with a lot of “ambushes” where Hamas militants were dressed in civilian clothes. Israel said the shooting violated the military’s rule of engagement, prohibiting opening fire on those who surrender. They said troops must follow those rules, including for Palestinians.
The hostages’ deaths have sparked new calls for a truce, with hundreds of protesters taking to the streets in Tel Aviv. Germany and Britain are now backing a “sustainable” cease-fire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deaths “broke the whole nation’s heart” but vowed to continue to fight to eliminate Hamas and to bring home all the hostages.
North Korea fires intercontinental ballistic missile
For the first time in five months, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. This comes as Pyongyang has condemned efforts by the U.S. and South Korea to boost nuclear deterrence. According to Japan’s Vice Minister of Defense, the missile has a range of up to 9,300 miles, meaning it could reach anywhere in Japan and the mainland United States.
The South Korean military said the missile flew more than 600 miles before landing in the ocean between Japan and the Korean Peninsula. According to reports, the test is the fifth of its kind this year.
The U.S., South Korea, and Japan have condemned the launch, calling it a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban any ballistic activities by North Korea. According to South Korean officials, Monday’s, Dec. 18, test followed another launch on Sunday, Dec. 17, when North Korea reportedly launched a short-range missile designed to strike the South. That missile also landed in the water off the coast.
2 U.S.-Mexico rail bridges closed due to migrant surge
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials have closed two rail bridges along the U.S.-Mexico border following a surge of migrants being smuggled into the country. CBP said, starting on Monday, Dec. 18, it is temporarily suspending all operations at rail crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, to redirect resources elsewhere in its latest move to respond to a flood of migrants trying to get into the U.S.
“After observing a recent resurgence of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico via freight trains, CBP is taking additional actions to surge personnel and address this concerning development, including in partnership with Mexican authorities,” CBP said in a statement.
CBP recently closed the port of entry in Lukeville, Arizona, a pedestrian crossing in San Diego, and suspended vehicle processing in Eagle Pass, Texas. On Friday, Dec. 15, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, D, sent National Guard Troops to the border, calling out the federal government and President Joe Biden, saying that closing the Lukeville port of entry has led to “an unmitigated humanitarian crisis.”
President Biden, first lady unharmed after car collides with motorcade
President Biden and the first lady were unharmed after a driver crashed into an SUV in the president’s motorcade on Sunday night, Dec. 17, outside his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, DE.
Video shows the president answering reporters’ questions just after 8 p.m. when a loud collision is heard. President Biden, looking on, was rushed into his vehicle, where the first lady was already inside. The motorcade then left the scene.
The U.S. Secret Service said the sedan driver unintentionally struck a parked SUV that was providing security for the president’s route. Secret Service agents surrounded the vehicle and told the male driver to put his hands up. The incident occurred just after the president and first lady had left his campaign headquarters following a holiday event with staffers.
Wilmington police are investigating.
CBS News poll shows Haley gaining on Trump in New Hampshire
Former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has gained support in one early voting state, as former President Donald Trump remains dominant in another, according to a CBS News poll released Sunday, Dec. 17.
With five weeks to go until the New Hampshire primary, Haley is consolidating much of the non-Trump vote in the state, with 29% of likely GOP primary voters saying they would vote for her, while 44% said they’d back Trump. Last week, Haley secured the endorsement from New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, R, who spoke about his choice in an ABC News interview on Sunday, Dec. 17.
“No one in New Hampshire is going to vote for Nikki Haley because the governor said so. You earn it. I think we’ve been pretty successful on knowing how to earn it, how to engage with constituencies, what’s important, not just what the voters want to hear, but how they want to ask the questions, and most importantly, how are they going to earn the trust with folks,” Gov. Sununu said. “We can all agree on a lot of policies; we want to know that as individuals, we come first, and that’s what Nikki is bringing to the table.”
With just four weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses, the CBS News poll found Trump maintains an overwhelming lead, with 58% of likely caucus-goers saying they’d support the former president. In Iowa, Haley sits at third, behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Survey says fewer companies giving out year-end bonuses
White-collar workers who are used to getting a holiday gift of a year-end bonus may be saying bah humbug this year. According to a Wall Street Journal report, fewer companies are giving out bonuses.
A survey of more than 200 small, midsize, and large companies found that 34% wouldn’t give bonuses this year, which is up from 27% last year, the highest number since 2019. Companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Walgreens have informed workers that bonuses will likely be canceled or reduced. But it’s not all bad news, recruiting firm Robert Half said, based on its research, those working in law, accounting, and marketing are still likely to receive their bonuses — ending their year on a high note.
