World at War ........ Part 9a ......... Oct 22, 2023

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/hezbollah-risks-dragging-lebanon-war-which-will-be-mistake-its-life-netanyahu

Hamas & IDF Ground Forces Clash For 1st Time Inside Gaza: Israeli Soldier Killed, Others Wounded

Update(1515ET): Hamas has claimed to have repelled a brief Israeli ground incursion, in what marks the first such reported direct ground fight between two sides in Gaza. The Al-Qassam Brigades announced its fighters destroyed two Israeli military bulldozers and a tank as part of an ambush amid the IDF's conducting 'limited' incursions into the strip.

"The soldiers of the Zionist force that fell into the Khan Younis ambush left their vehicles and fled east of the fence on foot," the Hamas wing said on social media. The IDF as expected did not confirm the claims, saying only that "shots were fired at IDF soldiers operating west of the Gaza Strip security fence, in the area of Kissufim." Instead, the IDF said only that "An IDF tank struck the terrorist cell who fired at the soldiers" - but did confirm its forces were operating inside Gaza at the time of the incident. 

The IDF appears to have begun taking casualties, and the major ground offensive has yet to even begin. Importantly, an IDF statement cited in a fresh Times of Israel update appears to back Hamas' account of repelling the IDF tank and bulldozers:

 

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 https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2023-10-20/nato-undersea-sabotage-sweden-finland-11767308.html

NATO allies send planes and ships to Baltic Sea following suspected sabotage

By

John Vandiver

Stars and Stripes • October 20, 2023 

 STUTTGART, Germany — Drones, reconnaissance planes and ships have been dispatched to the Baltic Sea, a move that comes in response to recently discovered damage to critical undersea infrastructure, NATO said this week............

 

 

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http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2023/october/19/wests-pro-israel-position-accelerates-its-loss-of-power/

 

 

West's Pro-Israel Position Accelerates Its Loss Of Power

Written by Moon of Alabama

 

 Western media start to note how their politicians' unwavering support for Israel and Ukraine is diminishing their countries' global standing.

At Naked Capitalism Yves Smith notes the devastating political effects of the Gaza bombing on Biden's foreign policies: Biden Gets Zelensky Treatment in Middle East as Israel Tries to Escalate..

 

 

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 https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2023-10-19/mediterranean-sea-fleet-flagship-11757765.html

USS Mount Whitney underway as US looks to deter wider Middle East conflict

By

John Vandiver

Stars and Stripes • October 19, 202

 STUTTGART, Germany — A Navy command and control ship departed its southern Italy base to support U.S. military operations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where thousands of Marines also are sailing, as U.S. military operations build up in response to the Israel-Hamas war.

USS Mount Whitney departed Gaeta, Italy, on Wednesday, the Naples-based 6th Fleet said in a statement. The ship is part of a rapidly expanding fleet in the region, where the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group is already positioned and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier group is headed on a mission to deter the possibility of a wider conflict.

The Mount Whitney provides added flexibility to the military because it ensures command and control missions can be carried out in international waters, not just ashore................