Hamas strike on Israel - mod warning in OP updated 19/10/23

Looks like we both thought too soon… The interesting part is the reasons given for rejecting the proposal (hint, there were none):

The US and Israel have rejected an Arab plan for the post-war reconstruction of the Gaza Strip that would allow the 2.1 million Palestinians living there to stay in place.

However, Israel's foreign ministry swiftly rejected the Arab League's statement endorsing the Egyptian plan, saying it "fails to address the realities of the situation following 7 October 2023, remaining rooted in outdated perspectives".

"Now, with President Trump's idea, there is an opportunity for the Gazans to have free choice based on their free will. This should be encouraged!" it added.

Let’s hope a draft 2.3.4 or 5 of that plan will ultimately be acceptable - wasn’t expecting an initial proposal to be accepted anyway but they need to move away from the Gaza riviera idea with no Palestinians - that’s just not going to happen - a riviera with Palestinians , maybe.

I do agree with you but I will hope for the best. After 80 years of knocking lumps out of each other, I can't see anyone other than the extremists wanting anything other to live in peace and security - whether that's a 1 or 2 state solution or something else, I don't know.

Certainly, Egypt and Jordan were able to come to terms with Israel over the decades and given Ireland's experience of sorting out very complex issues, there has to be some hope…

This is interesting. I'm not sure how to parse this. Can't imagine the Israelis being comfortable with not knowing it was going to happen.

The U.S. is holding secret talks with Hamas in Doha on securing the release of U.S. citizens still held hostage in Gaza, as well as the possibility of a broader agreement to end the war, U.S. news website Axios reported, citing two sources with knowledge of the talks.

The negotiations, spearheaded by U.S. President Trump's hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler, are the first time the U.S. has directly engaged with Hamas. According to one source in the report, the Trump administration discussed with Israel the possibility of holding such talks, but Israel found out about various aspects of the negotiations through other channels.

These unrelated items indicate that Netanyahu now appears to be losing support from senior figures, including the President, after losing support of the public.

Perhaps his remaining time in power is shrinking as his support evaporates.

In response to the criticism of the Shin Bet by Netanyahu's circle, National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz said: "Instead of taking responsibility, apologizing, and establishing a state commission of inquiry, the prime minister is throwing mud at the Shin Bet Netanyahu is hiding behind briefings and busy searching for scapegoats."

• Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Herzel Halevi said in his farewell speech that he takes responsibility for the October 7 massacre. "In the name of responsibility, I am ending my role… I see responsibility as a matter of values, not just legalities." Halevi added that "It is not right for only the IDF to investigate such an event; it is part of a national order. Establishing a state commission of inquiry is vital and critical, not to assign blame, but primarily to get to the root of the problems."

In a joint meeting with incoming IDF chief Eyal Zamir, Israeli President Isaac Herzog told Halevi that he agrees that a state investigation committee must be established, and called for "taking the IDF out of politics."

I see Trump has since posted on his social account for Hamas to return the remaining hostages and remains and then get out of dodge- he’s essentially saying if Hamas don’t lay down arms now, he’s going to finish them- not good- it’s essentially giving Israel licence to push the Palestinian people out of Gaza on way or another

Rumours about the U.S. engaging in discussions with Hamas regarding Phase 2 of the ceasefire and the future of Gaza have been circulating in Israel since late last week. I use the word 'rumors' because nothing has been confirmed and I don't believe it myself—it goes against U.S. foreign policy for starters. Word on the street—though purely speculative—is that meetings have taken place with Hamas, alongside mediators from Egypt and Qatar. Reportedly, Hamas is willing to leave Gaza during the rebuilding process. Personally, I find that very hard to believe. Who would govern Gaza if that happens? If Hamas leaves, I can't see a path for them to return to power in Gaza—can you? But for the events in Washington last Friday these talks would be headline news.

Blanket threatening everyone there, as though they haven't been through enough. The Israeli extremists chomping at the bit to resume bombing too. Gaza must be hell on earth.

Hamas should be neutralised as a terrorist organisation. If they wish to renounce violence and become purely political, I think that's fair enough. But in their current guise, they should not be in power in Gaza - or anywhere for that matter.

I read a while back that Hamas had agreed that they would not take control of Gaza again.

One thing is for sure, the Israelis will start attacking Gaza again soon and as usual, the rules of engagement and IHL will be ignored. They are hungry for more terror on the civilians of Gaza. It will be impossible to tell if all the Hamas terrorists are dead, so they can continue to kill and maim and starve indefinitely. Trump has given Netanyahu a blank cheque for murder. Even if all the hostages are returned, Israel will find an excuse to keep killing and preventing aid. Trump couldn't care less. Netanyahu and Trump want the innocent civilians out of Gaza, dead or alive.

Take your first line of posting

"One thing for sure the Israelis will start attacking Gaza again soon and as usual, the rules of engagement and IHLwill be ignored'

How do you know that ?

Oh yawn Brendan. I have asked you several times why you were filling the thread with repetitive vague noise and you didn't reply. Why bother now?

It's only a matter of time. More 2000 lb bombs on the way.

Rubio bypassed Congress to rush these arms over. Trump has given them carte blanche.

Rubio signs declaration to expedite delivery of $4 billion in military aid to Israel | Reuters

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday he had signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.The Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel, Rubio said in a statement, adding that it "will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats."

The Pentagon said on Friday that the State Department had approved the potential sale of nearly $3 billion worth of bombs, demolition kits and other weaponry to Israel.The administration notified Congress of those prospective weapons sales on an emergency basis, sidestepping a long-standing practice of giving the chairs and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees the opportunity to review the sale and ask for more information before making a formal notification to Congress.

If you are against genocide than you should be against what is happening in Gaza for the last 17 months.

If by "what is happening in Gaza" you mean Hamas still being in charge of the place, then yes.