QUESTION: Socrates appears to have picked the Hamas Attack. There was a double Directional change on the currency for the week of October 2nd and then two more directional changes for the following two weeks. There are rumors that people knew it was coming and were buying Northrop Gruman shares the week before. Am I reading correctly that Socrates picked this up in advance because people were positioning themselves in advance?
SF
ANSWER: This is how Socrates has been forecasting such events. As I have said many times at conferences, I began to understand this back in the 1980s. Those who know of such events start to move the money in advance. Socrates picked up a Double Direction Change the week of September 11th. The previous week was the lowest weekly closing on Northrop Gruman. The main turning point was the week of October 2nd. This showed up in the currency as well, confirming that the target zone was Israel. The same was true looking around at the surrounding economies.
We will address this complex tope at the WEC Nov 17-19th.
Posted originally on the CTH on October 23, 2023 | Sundance
Tucker Carlson releases a lengthy discussion of the ramifications of an expanded Israeli War in the Middle East.
(2:00) Col. Douglas Macgregor (4:20) Threats to the homeland (6:12) Iran & its missiles (13:00) Going into Gaza (19:40) American hostages (22:45) Impact on the American economy
Anthony Blinken appears on CBS Face the Nation to discuss the U.S. response to the Israeli war against Hamas terrorists. Margaret Brennan clutches her pearls and gives her best defense of Hamas/Palestinian terrorists. But the babies and the children, or something; all of that is propaganda. WATCH:
[Transcript] – MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is at the State Department. Good morning to you, Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN: Morning, Margaret, good to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Tension is very high in the region. Are you changing your security posture? Are you pulling any US personnel out of the area?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Margaret, we are concerned at the possibility of Iranian proxies, escalating their attacks against our own personnel, our own people. We’re taking every measure to make sure that we can defend them and if necessary, respond decisively. Not at all what we’re looking for, not all we want, but we’ll be prepared, if that’s what they choose to do.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So it sounds like quite possibly pulling people out. In terms of the threat from Iran, you just referenced there, President Biden in his Oval Office address said that the U.S. would hold Iran accountable. What does accountable mean?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, what you’ve seen already, Margaret is very- a very clear message from the President, backed up by the deployment of two of our largest aircraft carrier battle groups, to make sure that it’s clear. No one should take advantage of this moment to escalate to further attacks on Israel or for that matter attacks on us, on our personnel. And this is not by way of, in terms of what we’re doing by provocation, it’s designed to deter, designed to make clear that no one should use this moment in any way to escalate. No one wants a second front, a third front, and at the same time, we want to make sure that our own people in the region, wherever they are, are safe and protected, and that we’re in a place as we are to respond decisively if we need to. The President’s been clear about that, both in what he said and in what we’re doing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll stay tuned. In terms of what’s happening in Gaza. I know there are an estimated 500-600 Americans there. There are only two ways out. One is through the Rafah gate to Egypt. It does not appear any Americans have made it out that way. There’s also another Erez Crossing into Israel. Is there any chance Israel lets some of those Americans out or Egypt allows some of those Americans in?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: We have- you’re exactly right. We have several hundred Americans and other nationalities, other civilians from- from other countries who want to leave Gaza. We’ve had people come to Rafah, the crossing with Egypt. And to date, at least, Hamas has blocked them from leaving, showing once again, its total disregard for civilians of any kind who are- who are stuck in Gaza. This is something that we’re working, again, virtually every single day. We have in the- right now in the region on the ground, one of our most experienced diplomats, David Satterfield, working with the different governments concerned with- with Israel, with Egypt, to make sure that we’re ready to be able to get people out, assuming Hamas lets them move. So really, the ball is in Hamas’ court, in terms of letting people who want to leave, civilians from third countries including Americans get out of Gaza.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Just to be clear, you’re saying Hamas is preventing Americans from leaving Gaza?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s correct.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And there are no US personnel who are able to help on the ground?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: We have U.S. personnel on the other side of the border in Egypt, consular personnel who can immediately help and assist those Americans who want to leave. We’re working this very, very actively every day, including with partners who may have influenced connections with Hamas that we don’t have, to make sure that people can get out. So we’re tracking this. We want to make sure it happens.
MARGARET BRENNAN: In terms of the Americans who are believed to be unaccounted for or potentially hostages. Does Hamas have all of them or do other militant groups have them?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Look, you’ll understand I can’t speak to the – to the details of this. We’ve been engaged from virtually the first day of this. I don’t want to be clear when it was clear that Hamas had taken men, women, young children, elderly people hostage, including Americans. It was really gratifying. Yesterday, I got a chance to speak to the two Americans, the mother, daughter, Judith and Natalie Raanan, who were released. I spoke to them. We are very appreciative of the assistance that we got from the Government of Qatar, to make sure that they could get out and now soon be reunited with their families. We’re hopeful that- that others follow. It is imperative that every single hostage, every single hostage of whatever nationality, be released immediately and without condition.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But the Israeli invasion appears imminent. Have you asked the Israeli government to delay in order to give you more time to broker the release of these hostages?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: First, step back for a second, because it’s important to remember what happened. It’s incredible how quickly that gets lost because it was only a couple of weeks ago that Hamas invaded Israel with its terrorist fighters and slaughtered – and I use that- that word very deliberately- slaughtered so many people again, men, women, young children, babies, old people, you name it. And they continue to rain rockets down on Israel when I was there. A few days ago, we were in the bomb – we were- we had to take shelter a couple of times, because of incoming rockets from Hamas. So, my point is this, no country- no country can be expected to tolerate this, to live with this. And as we said, from the start, Israel has both the the right and even the obligation, not only to defend itself, but to try to make sure that, to the best of its ability, this can’t happen again. So, we talked to the Israelis about what they’re- what they’re planning. We give them our best advice. It’s important, as we said, not only what they do, but how they do it, particularly when it comes to making sure that civilians are as protected as they possibly can be in this crossfire of Hamas’ making. We want to make sure that humanitarian assistance gets in and both countries care deeply about the- the hostages. There are many, many Israelis who are hostage and of course, hostages from other nationalities. So we’re working to do everything we can, using whatever levers, partnerships, relationships, we have to get them out. Israel is doing the same. But in terms of what we’re talking to Israel about in their- with regard to their military operations, it really is focused on both how they do it, and how best to achieve the results that they seek.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, let’s talk about how they do it. You’re right to lay out just how absolutely horrific that attack was two weeks ago. Turning the page to what has happened during the following two weeks, UNICEF says 1,524 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip during these bombings. Why isn’t the US calling for at least a temporary ceasefire?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: First, Margaret, when I hear the stories, when I see the pictures of young children, who have lost their lives in this conflict of Hamas’ making- whoever they are, wherever they are, whether they’re Palestinians, whether they’re Israelis, whether they’re- they’re Jews or Muslims. It hits me, and I know it hits virtually everyone right in the heart. And that’s why it’s so important to do everything possible to protect them, and why it’s so important to do everything possible to get assistance to those who need it. Food, medicine, water-
MARGARET BRENNAN: So why not ask for at least a temporary pause in the bombing–
SECRETARY BLINKEN:
We’ve seen-
MARGARET BRENNAN: — as was proposed at the UN this week?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: We’ve seen first of all that, in order to get assistance in. We’ve had, we’ve had that happen. And you saw the first 20 trucks go in yesterday, I expect more will follow today and the day after that. We want to make sure that we have sustained delivery of food, medicine, water, the things that people need. At the same time, I said something a minute ago that- that we have to- we have to remember. Israel has to do everything it can to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Freezing things in place where they are now would allow Hamas to remain where it is and to repeat what it’s done sometime in the future. No country could accept that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: One of my colleagues, who is on the ground in Israel and has traveled to the West Bank conducted an interview with Mr. Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian politician, I’m sure, you know. He said he doesn’t understand why President Biden, when he was in Israel, did not say “enough is enough. You wanted to respond and you responded, you killed 4,000 Palestinians. Stop.” Instead, you’re encouraging a ground invasion. How do you respond to “enough is enough?”
SECRETARY BLINKEN: “Enough is enough” should have been the case with- with Hamas two weeks ago. It would be good to hear the entire world speaking clearly, and with one voice, about the actions that Hamas took, about the slaughter of people, about the fact that that should be absolutely intolerable, unacceptable to anyone, anywhere, any country, any people. Second, as I said, for- for a country to not only not respond- it’s not about responding. It’s not about retaliating. It’s about defending Israel from these ongoing attacks. As I said, the rockets continue to this day. And it’s about taking the steps necessary to try to make sure, to the best of Israel’s ability, that this can’t happen again. Now, as we said, very clearly, the President’s been very clear about this- how Israel does that matters. Making sure that to the greatest extent possible civilians are protected. Civilians are deliberately put in the crossfire by Hamas. Hamas undertook the slaughter. It knew Israel would have to respond and yet all of its people, its senior leaders, its weapons, its tunnels, all are co-located in residential buildings. They’re buried underneath hospitals and schools. It knew that in Israel’s necessary response, civilians would be caught in that crossfire. It’s the last thing we want to see. It’s imperative that every step be taken to protect them. But what does anyone expect Israel to do? It can’t allow the situation to continue. No country can live like that. So that’s what’s- I think, in the minds of Israelis right now. Again, we’re speaking to them, as I said, about how they do it, and also how they can best achieve the results that they seek.
MARGARET BRENNAN: In terms of US interests in the region, one of America’s closest allies, the King of Jordan, gave an impassioned speech saying “Palestinian lives seem to matter less than Israeli ones. Our lives matter less than other lives, the application of international law is optional and human rights appear to have boundaries based on races and religions.” That’s a warning from one of America’s closest friends in the region, that this is a dangerous message to be sending and it could have blowback. Are you concerned?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Margaret, every life- Palestinian, Israeli, Jewish, Muslim, Arab, every life has equal worth. When I see the reports, when I see the photographs, when I hear the stories of young children, Palestinian children, who’ve been killed or injured, it hits me right in the gut too. Just as it does, when I hear- when I see these other stories, wherever it is. We had, here in our own country, a little boy, six-years-old, Wadea, in Chicago, who was viciously murdered, apparently, because he was Palestinian American. A little boy, six-years-old, didn’t do anything to anyone. I feel that strongly across the board, no matter where it is. But this is on Hamas. And the fact is, Hamas doesn’t represent the Palestinian people. It doesn’t represent their just cause, it doesn’t represent their aspiration, and legitimate aspiration for a state of their own. On the contrary, it does everything to make life worse, and more miserable for–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Does the US assess that it is actually possible for Israel to destroy both Hamas as an entity and its ideology. Is it actually a military possibility?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So, you make a very good point, Margaret. And I think it’s important to focus on that, too. There’s the military aspect of what Israel needs to do and try it- and try to make sure this doesn’t happen again. But you’re exactly right. The best way, the only way to defeat an ideology, no matter how warped, and the case of Hamas, it’s about as warped as it possibly can be, is to make sure that there is a better, a clearer alternative for people. And that alternative is very clear. And it’s very stark. We have on the one hand, countries throughout the region who want to come together, to integrate, to normalize relations, and to lift up the rights of the Palestinian people, to be able to have a future where they work together, go to school together, do business together, travel to each other’s countries. That’s one vision. The other vision is the vision that Hamas has: death, destruction, nihilism, darkness. Now, the responsibility that those of us who believe in the first vision have is to do everything possible to make it real, so that people not only see it, but they can achieve it. That’s exactly what we were working on before this horrific attack on October 7th. And that’s the vision that we need to get back to. But at the same time, we also have to deal with the fact that Hamas represents an active, ongoing threat, and that has to be dealt with too.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Secretary, thank you for your time this morning.
Posted originally on the CTH on October 21, 2023 | Sundance
Today, the sketchy Pentagon statements about the USS Carney are starting to make sense. The initial suspicions within the originating statements {GO DEEP} are well founded. Today, the Pentagon is admitting the events in the Red Sea were “much more significant” than originally outlined. Here’s the big picture, and we will go a little deeper.
The USS Carney is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer assigned to USS Ford Carrier Strike Group 12. As part of the October 8th deployment into the eastern Mediterranean, the USS Carney took up a defensive position for the strike group by going through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea. Fortunately, the Carney arrived in the Red Sea, on mission, Wednesday, just hours before four cruise missiles and 15 drones entered the established defensive perimeter airspace.
The Carney’s interceptions, the defensive activity against the missiles and drones, took place over 9 hours on Wed/Thursday. All of the interceptions happened in commercial airspace, meaning the drones and missiles were targeted to fly at altitudes of commercial air travel. Obviously, the destination of the missiles and drones was/is unknown; however, the Pentagon said “potentially” targeted to hit Israel.
Now keep in mind, this report from CNN (think State Dept) is from a U.S. official that is NOT the Pentagon. Meaning this report is political in nature and slanted to provide the State Dept/political Intelligence Community perspective. Again, this is not a military report; this is a report from the U.S. political angle of government.
CNN — A US warship that intercepted drones and missiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday encountered a larger and more sustained barrage than was previously known, shooting down 4 cruise missiles and 15 drones over a period of 9 hours, according to a US official familiar with the situation.
The USS Carney, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer that traversed the Suez Canal heading south on Wednesday, intercepted the missiles and drones as they were heading north along the Red Sea. Their trajectory left little doubt that the projectiles were headed for Israel, the official said, a clearer assessment than the Pentagon’s initial take.
A sustained barrage of drones and missiles targeting Israel from far outside the Gaza conflict is one of a series of worrying signs that the war risks escalating beyond the borders of the coastal enclave.
[…] On Thursday, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the missiles were fired by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen and were launched “potentially towards targets in Israel.” At the briefing, Ryder said three land-attack cruise missiles and “several” drones.
Some of the projectiles were traveling at altitudes that made them a potential risk to commercial aviation when they were intercepted, the US official said. The drones and missiles were intercepted with SM-2 surface-to-air missiles launched from the USS Carney.
US interceptions of Houthi launches are exceedingly rare, making the timing of this incident, as tensions rise in Israel, more significant. In October 2016, the USS Mason deployed countermeasures to stop an attempted attack in the Red Sea targeting the Navy destroyer and other ships nearby. In response, the US fired sea-launched cruise missiles at Houthi radar facilities in Yemen. (read more)
We have already addressed the originating problems with the Pentagon report. Just the 1,300-mile flight distance alone is problematic when attaching this origination to the Houthis. Since when did this Yemen rebel group gain missiles and drones that could target at such distances? Something doesn’t add up.
In reality, the original Pentagon statement does make sense. They don’t know where they came from, and they don’t know where they were going. However, they entered a defensive perimeter established by USS Ford, via the battleship Carney, as part of their strike group mission and formation.
With the carrier strike group in place, the proximity and overall direction of the unknown missiles and drones was a threat. So, we shot them down. That is the standard mission priority.
The political message to CNN, not from the Pentagon, is to firm up the most likely originating location as Yemen and establish the most likely destination as Israel.
However, there are multiple alternatives, one of which is alarming and would also explain the intense sensitivity of the Pentagon in using the word “potentially”; the truth is, they really don’t know. Factually, USS Carney arrived literally hours before this took place, a very fortuitous arrival on mission all things considered.
We can well imagine if the Carney was still navigating the Suez Canal at the time the missiles and drones flew overhead. We, or whoever was the target of 4 cruise missiles and 15 drones, lucked out.
Which brings us to the part of “potential” destinations. Considering the motives and intents of the hostile and opposition elements globally and regionally, there’s just as solid an argument to make that the USS Carney did exactly what it was supposed to do, defend the USS Ford strike group. Meaning, the target could have been the U.S. fleet and the USS Ford itself.
Then we look at “potential” origination. Again, the Houthi’s may have received a very recent Iranian missile capable of delivering a payload over this distance. They did not have them before, but they could be newly acquired; so, the origination could be Yemen. However, it is worth remembering that China is the #1 investor in Yemen, and has a geopolitical relationship in Yemen driven in part by a very nearby Chinese navy military base in Djibouti.
In 2017, China established its first overseas naval base in the small East African country of Djibouti. The base, where perhaps 2,000 Chinese troops are stationed only a few miles from the U.S. Navy’s own Djiboutian base, Camp Lemonnier, set off alarm bells in Washington about Africa’s role in China’s growing military profile. (link)
China has been selling weapons to Yemen as part of the geopolitical alignment between Iran, Russia and China. China also supports the current status of peace between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and has been working diligently to keep all of their interests aligned.
Were the advanced missiles part of the relationship between China and Yemen?… Or were they Iranian? The former seems increasingly likely, the latter not quite as much.
So, with the Pentagon admitting they are not certain, and with the State Dept motive to downplay the significance, let’s put the process together.
China would have a solid motive for supporting Yemen in the actual targeting of the USS Ford. What faster way to bring the U.S into yet another engagement than by targeting a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group. For Yemen and the Muslim Brotherhood, this would be medal of honor level success, exceeding any joyful targeting of Israel.
The U.S., in this scenario the great satan, is pulled into yet another protracted Middle East quagmire along with prior commitments to Ukraine. Now, with both a European and Middle East conflict, the beneficiaries would be Iran, Russia, China, the Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey, Syria and the list goes on from there. This diverts all U.S. resources away from the Pacific Theater and leaves Taiwan as easy pickings. Smiling panda.
Posted originally on the CTH on October 19, 2023 | Sundance
Something about this story just doesn’t pass the proverbial sniff test.
It is 1,300 straight line miles from Yemen to Israel; add in the Red Sea path claimed, and you add another approximately 200 miles. So, the claim is around 1,500 +/- miles.
The Raytheon built Tomahawk cruise missile, with GPS enabling, some of the most advanced cruise missile tech in the world, has a max targeting distance of 1,000 miles [LINK]. How the hell did Yemen get missiles and drones capable of flying 1,500 targeted miles?
Additionally, if Yemen had this level of missile technology available, the Houthi rebels would have flown them at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over the past decade during their war.
Now that I have shared that context, look carefully at how the statements are worded (emphasis mine).
(VIA ABC) – The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer in the Red Sea, on Thursday shot down multiple missiles launched by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen that the Pentagon said were potentially headed toward targets in Israel.
The ship intercepted three land attack cruise missiles and about eight drones, Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a press briefing.
The preliminary U.S. assessment was that the USS Carney was not the target of any of the Houthi missiles or drones.
Information about the engagements was still being processed, Ryder said. “We cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea potentially to targets in Israel.
It’s unclear from where the Houthi militia’s missiles were fired but they were headed in a northerly direction, an official said.
The incident occurred during the early evening hours Thursday local time and the missiles were taken down over water, not land, the Pentagon said.
The missiles fired by the Houthis were engaged by SM2 missiles carried aboard the USS Carney, an official said. (read more)
On the afternoon before pudding brain gives his national address on the Israeli war, the Pentagon is reporting on a fleet of missiles and drones, eleven in total, flying from Yemen to Israel, thereby exceeding the capacity of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile systems by 50%. You buying this?
…Oh, AND they collectively would have flown over Egypt to arrive in Israel if not intercepted.
Sorry, I don’t mean to sound like a conspiracy nut, but this just doesn’t add up. This sounds like the seeds of an expanded war narrative to me.
In combination with the ‘couched’ Pentagon statement, Suspicious Cat remains, well, suspicious.
America’s adversaries no longer live in fear. They see how divided the nation has become under one of the most disastrous administrations in US history. Only a few short years ago this would not have happened. When the Taliban was threatening the US, then President Trump sent the leader of the Taliban a picture of his house.
What happened when ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was captured? Trump went on national TV to announce that the US would make good on their threats. He explained to the world how the leader of ISIS “died like a dog” who spent his last moments in fear, running from American forces like a “coward” and hiding behind women and children. In another instance, Trump posted a simple picture of the American flag to social media moments before an airstrike in Iraq that killed one of Iran’s top generals. Trump promised to obliterate all of America’s enemies and America was feared.
Our enemies feel they have the upper hand now. Iran publicly threatened America a day before Joe Biden was set to arrive in Israel. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adviser, Mohammad-Javad Larijani of the Axis of Resistance, issued a warning to America that aiding Israel “would be a strategic mistake” and would make it a “legitimate target for the resistance fighters in the entire region” He ominously uttered that “the war will not be limited to Gaza”and said “in the near future, America’s presence in Syria and Iraq will be very costly for them.”
America’s enemies are growing bolder under Biden’s weak leadership. A nation divided cannot stand strong.
COMMENT: Thank you for your analysis of the Israel incident. We have to wonder what took place. Nothing makes sense.
REPLY: Israel did not respond to the attack for many hours. This is not realistically possible. This appears to be a setup to expand the war against Russia, assuming they will support Iran, Syria, and Hamas. There is no way that 1,000 people could breach the Gaza defense in 15 places, and nobody knew. The technology there will be triggered if a cat touches the fence. They have killer drones that will shoot directly at anything that breaches the fence. Claiming Iran hacked that security is not plausible. None of the private communications in that area were impacted.
Some see that this has been a covert action that sacrificed Israelis to achieve the end goal of trying to force Russia to defend the Middle East, all to create war BEFORE the 2024 election. As I have been warning, our computer has projected World War III unfolding post-2024. This is all be orchestrated.
Posted originally on the CTH on October 16, 2023 | Sundance
The agenda here is transparently obvious.
♦ First, there is no strategic benefit to Israel from a Joe Biden visit. ♦ Second, notice how there was no advanced notice when Biden visited Kiev, Ukraine. Yet here, with a real backdrop of violence, a Biden visit to Israel is announced in advance. ♦ Third, think about the extensive planning and security measures that are traditionally taken for these types of trips; the absence of which, underlines the urgency of motive.
Next, consider the devastating recent polls showing Biden collapsing in every state that matters. President Trump is crushing Joe Biden, as the American people can feel and see the terrible consequences of Biden policy. Then, overlay the recent CBS (60 minutes effort), to cast Joe Biden as a victim of circumstance. Lastly, there is ideological benefit in buying more time for the Muslim Brotherhood (Hamas). What motive do we discover in the factual alignment of data?
The people behind Joe Biden are sending him to Israel for (1) part of a rebranding effort; and (2) to impede Netanyahu and buy time for Hamas.
The people behind Biden (Obama network) are also pushing Biden into a meeting in Egypt. **ahem** Exactly as I outlined the agenda. Biden is going to the international summit to determine the future of the Palestinian people terrorists and put pressure on Egypt.
Joe Biden finds out he’s going to a real war zone, not Ukraine.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will travel to Israel this week,putting himself in harm’s way to show that he stands squarely with the country as it reels from Hamas’ surprise attack and prepares a ground invasion meant to wipe out the militant group on its border.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip — the president’s second foray into an active war zone this year, having traveled to Ukraine in February under the tightest secrecy.
Biden is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders during the trip, which may also include a visit to neighboring Egypt. U.S. officials have been discussing with Egypt ways to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza caught up in Israel’s siege of the densely populated territory. (read more)
Posted originally by the CTH on October 16, 2023 | Sundance
Everything, and I do mean e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g, that comes from the mouth of Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obaida, should be viewed through the prism of extremist propaganda. Hamas is doing and saying everything possible to manipulate media and create pressure on Israel in advance of the ground invasion.
That said, Abu Obaida is claiming that “at least” 250 hostages were taken during the terrorist attack on October 7th, yet some of the hostages were not taken by official Hamas groups, but by other members of the Palestinian resistance who crossed the border behind Hamas to retrieve hostages “for their own purposes.”
The number of non-Hamas hostages is claimed to be around 50, possibly more, and they were likely abducted for pathological purposes, ie. torture for fun and Palestinian enjoyment, community abuse to be recorded for celebratory purposes, public rape and sex slavery, along with other forms of horrific human degradation. [If any of these people are factually still alive, they would likely be better off dead.]
Abu Obaida is claiming that Hamas officially has 200 hostages, and “some” of them are foreign nationals. They are willing to release the “foreign nationals” unconditionally when passage is safe. This “foreign nationals” part of the claim appears intended to target the international community of public opinion – to put pressure on Israel to back off.
Richard Engel (MSNBC) has a video report here. Although, I would caution you to review this narrative with extreme cynicism. Time Magazine has also reviewed the Abu Obaida video statement, and their review/analysis is below:
(GAZA – Newsweek) – The spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing has announced that the group is prepared to release non-Israeli prisoners among at least 200 people in custody once their safety could be guaranteed amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes against the Gaza Strip.
Speaking in a 10-minute video published Monday, Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obaida said that, while he could not provide an exact count of the number of people seized in the shocking Palestinian air, land and sea assault conducted on October 7, he estimated the total figure to be “between 200 and 250, or exceeding that.”
“The Al-Qassam Brigades has about 200 prisoners and the rest are distributed among other components of the resistance or in places in which we cannot count them,” Abu Obaida said.
He stated that 22 prisoners have been killed so far in Israeli airstrikes, but that the group was treating all those taken fairly.
“We deal with prisoners according to the dictates of the teachings of our religion,” Abu Obaida said. “Their care is required by moral and humanitarian duty. They eat what we eat, they drink what we drink, and they live under the same conditions as all the people in Gaza.”
He said that among the captives were those of “different nationalities” that could not be verified in full as a result of the ongoing wartime conditions.
“They are our guests we seek to protect them and the moment the conditions on the ground allow we will release them,” Abu Obaida said. (read more)
(Via Wall Street Journal) – The U.S. military has selected roughly 2,000 troops to prepare for a potential deployment to support Israel, U.S. defense officials said.
The troops are tasked with missions like advising and medical support, the officials said, and they are from across the U.S. armed services. They aren’t intended to serve in a combat role, the officials said. No infantry have been put on prepare-to-deploy order.
The troops are currently stationed both inside the Middle East and outside, including Europe, the officials said. It isn’t clear under what circumstances the U.S. could deploy the troops or to where, but the Pentagon decision signaled it is preparing to support Israeli troops should Israel launch a ground incursion into Gaza.
It is unclear how many of those troops, should they be deployed, would go into Israel. But the officials said that at least some of them could enter the country to support Israeli forces. A predeployment order doesn’t mean the troops will certainly deploy but rather shortens the time troops need to be ready to move. (more)
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
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This is a library of News Events not reported by the Main Stream Media documenting & connecting the dots on How the Obama Marxist Liberal agenda is destroying America
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