All articles tagged with #gaza border
Following two years of conflict and the October 7 Hamas attack, some Israelis are moving to the Gaza border to rebuild and advocate for peace, while others remain traumatized or refuse to return, reflecting a divided society grappling with safety, trauma, and the hope for peace.
The US plans to build a large military base near the Gaza border to support international forces in enforcing the ceasefire, with a budget of around half a billion dollars, in cooperation with Israel, potentially housing thousands of troops and expanding US military presence in the region.
The US plans to build a $500 million military base near Gaza to house thousands of troops, signaling a significant escalation in US involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and potentially shifting control over Gaza's humanitarian and security operations.
Actor Michael Douglas visited Kibbutz Be'eri on the Gaza border, where nearly 100 people were killed and 26 taken hostage in an October 7 Hamas attack, before heading to Tel Aviv for a photography exhibit.
An Egyptian soldier was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces at the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border. The incident, which left other Egyptians wounded, is under investigation by both countries. Tensions have risen since Israel seized the Rafah crossing earlier this month, straining the 45-year peace between Egypt and Israel. Reports conflict on who fired first, with Egypt denying initiating the exchange.
Julian Assange begins his final legal battle against U.S. extradition in London, facing up to 175 years in prison if convicted; Egypt is building a wall near the Gaza border amid tensions with Israel, potentially displacing up to 150,000 Palestinians; the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on managing homelessness in cities; Capital One is acquiring Discover Financial in a $35.3 billion deal; and a special on Apple TV+ tells the origin story of Franklin, the first Black Peanuts character.
The IDF mistakenly hit attendees of the Nova festival near the Gaza border while targeting Hamas militants, resulting in the deaths of 364 people. A police investigation suggests that Hamas did not have prior knowledge of the festival. Dozens of festivalgoers were also kidnapped and taken to Gaza.
IDF lookouts along the Gaza border reportedly warned their commanders about suspicious activity for months before the October 7 terrorist attacks, but were ignored, told to stop bothering them, and even threatened with court-martial. The lookouts observed unusual training protocols and increased presence near the fence, but their concerns were dismissed. Some lookouts reported seeing people with maps and noticed a change in the atmosphere, but their warnings were not taken seriously. The lookouts who were present during the attacks are not receiving psychological assistance from the army and were threatened with transfer if they didn't return to service within two weeks. The military claims that soldiers are being supported by mental health professionals and denies any intention of taking disciplinary measures against the lookouts.
IDF lookouts who had warned about unusual activities along the Gaza border in the months leading up to the October 7 attack were reportedly ignored by their commanders and even threatened with a court-martial. The lookouts observed increased training and suspicious behavior near the border, but their concerns were dismissed. Additionally, the lookouts are not receiving psychological support from the army and have been told to return to service within two weeks or be transferred elsewhere. The IDF stated that the soldiers will be gradually reintegrated and denied any intention of disciplinary action against them.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul experienced an emotional trip to Israel, where she met with Israeli leaders, toured the Gaza Border, and learned of her father's death while en route. Hochul witnessed the aftermath of the attack on Kfar Aza, a kibbutz near the Gaza border, and expressed her support for Israel's right to exist and defend itself. She met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog to discuss rescuing hostages and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Despite representing a large Jewish population, Hochul acknowledged protests against Israel's treatment of Palestinians but emphasized the heinous nature of the recent attack. Hochul made personal stops at the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to pray for peace and her father. She credited her father for inspiring her political career and plans to visit her family in Florida upon returning from Israel.
An American woman living on a kibbutz near the Gaza border describes the terrifying ordeal of a surprise Hamas attack, where terrorists infiltrated the area, stole IDF uniforms and tanks, and attempted to penetrate the kibbutz before being neutralized. The woman and her family barricaded themselves in a safe room, with her brother-in-law protecting them. She expressed concern for her young daughters and the lasting trauma they may experience. Living on the border has become a fact of life for her, and she is considering moving further north for a sense of safety, although she acknowledges that nowhere in Israel is truly calm.