Israel, forming an emergency war-time government, continues its strikes against Hamas in Gaza as the U.S. works to bring American hostages back home. And auto workers take their strike to Ford’s largest plant in the world – these stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Israel continues airstrikes against Hamas; US working to bring hostages home
The Israeli Defense Forces launched an extensive attack on Hamas in Gaza Thursday morning, targeting the militant group’s command centers and the home of a senior official that was being used to store weapons. This comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to destroy every Hamas fighter whose assault on Israel left more than 1,200 people dead and close to 3,000 injured.
Palestinian authorities say at least 1,100 people have been killed and more than 5,000 injured in Gaza since Israel began its airstrikes Saturday, Oct. 7.
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Netanyahu and senior opposition leader Benny Gantz announced the formation of an emergency war-time government, saying they were putting their differences aside because the fate of Israel is at stake.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv Thursday, Oct. 12, to speak to Netanyahu as the U.S. has pledged its support to Israel in its fight against Hamas.
The number of Americans killed in the terrorist attack has risen to 25 (updated moments after The Morning Rundown recording), with at least 17 U.S. citizens missing and an unknown number among the estimated 150 hostages taken by Hamas.
During a meeting at the White house, President Joe Biden told Jewish community leaders there’s a lot the U.S. is doing to bring the Americans home.
“Press is going to shout to me, and many of you are, ‘what are you doing to get these folks home?’ If I told you I wouldn’t be able to get them home. Folks, there’s a lot we’re doing. I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home. But the idea that I’m going to stand here and tell you what I’m doing is bizarre,” Biden said.
In Gaza, the only power station has run out of fuel, leaving the territory in the dark. Israel has stopped the entry of food, water, fuel, and medicine.
An estimated 220,000 Palestinians are sheltering in United Nations relief facilities, according to the U.N., which is calling for “rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access.”
The Palestinian-Gaza Strip Ministry of Health says services have reached a critical stage as hospitals are working at full capacity and running out of space.
National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby says the U.S. is working with Israel and Egypt to secure safe passage for civilians out of Gaza. “Civilians are not to blame for what Hamas has done,” Kirby said.
Steve Scalise secures speaker nomination
Republicans have selected their choice to be the next Speaker of the House. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., secured the nomination in a closed-door, secret-ballot election on Wednesday, Oct. 11, defeating Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, by a vote of 113 to 99.
It, however, remains unclear when the House will take an official vote on the speaker role.
Scalise will need at least 217 out of the 221 Republicans in the House to vote for him to become the next speaker following Kevin McCarthy’s, R-Ky., historic ousting last week.
Some members are still not fully behind the choice, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who cited concerns over Scalise’s ongoing battle with blood cancer, posting on X, “I like Steve Scalise — and I like him so much that I want to see him defeat cancer more than sacrifice his health in the most difficult position in congress.”
House Democrats are set to nominate their leader, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries.
UAW expands strike to largest Ford plant
Despite reports of progress last week between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three Detroit automakers, the union expanded its strike Wednesday night, Oct. 11, with 8,700 workers walking off their jobs at a Ford truck plant in Kentucky.
The plant, which makes F-series pickup trucks and SUVs, is Ford’s largest and most profitable in the world.
The walkout at the Kentucky plant came after a meeting between Ford executives and UAW President Shawn Fain that lasted about 15 minutes with no progress made.
Fain said Ford has not gotten the message to bargain for a fair deal and that this move should help them understand. Ford called the Kentucky strike “grossly irresponsible.”
UAW members began their strike against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis on Sept. 15. With this expansion, the number of UAW members on strike now stands at 33,700.
Morgan State University to build wall around campus
Last week on The Morning Rundown, we reported on a shooting that left five people injured during homecoming events at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Now, the school is announcing major structural changes on campus to prevent future incidents.
The historically Black university plans on building a wall around most of the campus. The plan would extend existing barriers by about 8,000 feet, encircling 90% of campus.
University president David Wilson said this would effectively eliminate unfettered access. Wilson told students and staff, “We’re doing this, let me be clear, not to keep out our neighbors and our community writ large; we are doing it to keep out the bad actors.”
No arrests have been made in the shooting. Police believe it stemmed from an argument involving two shooters. They say the five victims, including four Morgan State students, were likely not the intended targets. All victims were released from the hospital.
Federal data released in September showed the number of school shootings in the U.S. hit record highs during the 2021-2022 school year. There were 188 shootings, with two-thirds causing injuries and 57 leading to deaths.
Salman Rushdie writing memoir on stabbing attack
More than a year after being stabbed while on stage in western New York, novelist Salman Rushdie has announced he will be releasing a memoir about the attack that left him blind in one eye.
Rushdie was stabbed repeatedly in the face and body in August of 2022 when a man rushed onto the stage as he was preparing to give a lecture. His attacker has pleaded not guilty.
In a statement released Wednesday, Oct. 11, Rushdie said it was necessary for him to write the book, adding it was “a way to take charge of what happened and to answer violence with art.”
Rushdie lived in isolation for nearly a decade after the supreme leader of Iran issued a fatwa, an Islamic edict, in 1989, demanding the author’s death following the release of his novel “The Satanic Verses.” The fatwa was rescinded in 1998.
Rushdie’s new memoir, titled “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder,” will be published in April 2024.
Disney raises ticket prices at theme parks
If you’re thinking of taking a trip to a Disney theme park, you might have to spend more to experience that Disney magic. The company has announced immediate price hikes on certain tickets and passes for Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California.
While the cost for both parks’ basic day passes remains the same, prices for annual passes for Disney World are increasing between $30 and $50. The most expensive pass, the Incredi-Pass, now costs $1,449, a nearly 10% jump.
In California, Disneyland’s annual pass is increasing between 3% and 21%, depending on the plan. For the highest annual pass at Disneyland, you’ll now pay $1,649, that’s up $50.
Last month, the Walt Disney Company announced it would be investing roughly $60 billion into its theme parks and cruise lines over the next decade.
