news

In more positive news, the Taliban has cut opium production by 95%

‘Gaza 2023 makes hell look like a tea party’

Mads Gilbert, a Norweigan doctor who has regularly volunteered at al-Shifa Hospital, says targeting hospitals is part of the Israeli military’s doctrine.

“They will shoot at anything that they consider Palestinian: Infrastructure, schools, churches, mosques, hospitals, ambulances, civilians. So, of course, what we see now is the most extreme expression of a racist politic where you do not respect human values,” Gilbert told Al Jazeera.

“The scenes from al-Shifa today were horrific … would this have been accepted by Europe and the US if these had been hospitals caring for white people in Europe? Never ever. This is racist politics, it’s utterly disgusting and I think we have to consider this as the greatest moral collapse in Western politics in my generation.

“It keeps going, and it’s not hell. Gaza 2023 makes hell look like a tea party,” Gilbert urged.

Getting real hard out there for IDF propaganda, people are literally watching tanks siege a hospital with snipers hitting people in scrubs walking between the complex buildings. Just bond villain level of evil

Also looks like the UK government will ban pro-Palestine protests, not surprisingly using the same playbook as the anti-apartheid protests from decades ago

hmm let's check out how Germany's doing:

German police crack down on pro-Palestine rallies, raising alarm:

Israel is literally a bully state that bombs hospitals and blames it on Hamas in a classic "stop hitting yourself" dickhead bully move.

Communism will win

I wonder where Zelensky would rank among people who have done the most damage to America. Like you could do adventurism for 50 years and not drain NATO's stockpiles to the degree he did

I hope all the non Zionist Jews never forget the Republican debates where they spent the first half accusing anyone who was critical of Isn't real of anti-semitism.

They were a fucking joke. Like what nation are you trying to be a leader of and are you completely that stupid and ignorant? I realize it's rhetorical. But holy shit the fascist on display is frightful.

a 24-year-old journalist- Bisan, has been missing for over 17 hours.

this was her last post, i really hope shes ok.

EDIT: shes alive :)

I've been googling 'Hezbollah Brazil' every single day since that story broke because I'm a sicko and it was such an absurd story. here's the latest:

Brazil is pissed that Isntreal made it sound like they're being ordered around:

Mossad's comments angered Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino, who on Thursday delivered a stiff rebuke to Israel, saying on social media that "Brazil is a sovereign country," and "no foreign force orders around the Brazilian Federal Police."

Dino did not explicitly deny any of the details in the Israeli statement, but seemed more angered by its timing, tone and the link it drew to the current war in Gaza.

"We appreciate appropriate international cooperation, but we reject any foreign authority that deems to direct Brazilian police bodies, or use our investigations for the use of propaganda or its political interests," he wrote, adding that Brazil's probe had "nothing to do with international conflicts."

A Brazilian Federal Police source said Dino was angry because the Mossad statement made it look like Brazil was taking orders from Israel and could be perceived to be taking sides in the war.

for what it's worth, the guys involved are completely denying the charges:

The first suspect told the judge it was "absurd" to suggest he was a member of either Hezbollah or Hamas.

The second suspect, a Brasilia resident arrested at a Sao Paulo airport after returning from Lebanon, also denied any connection to the militant groups.

Justice Minister Flavio Dino accused the Israeli service of wanting to "anticipate the result of an active investigation... for reasons of political propaganda."

over/under on them having just made this shit up because they're pissed at Lula for mildly condemning them?

Timothy Snyder writing about how Ukraine is the battle for democracy “of the century” on the very same day Zelenskyy declares no elections in Ukraine.

Israel now says 1,200 were killed not 1,400. It's funny how that works.

Israel adjusts death toll from 7 October attacks to 1,200

Israel has revised downwards the death toll from last month’s Hamas attacks in the south of the country from 1,400 to about 1,200, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Friday.

“This is the updated number,” the spokesperson, Lior Haiat, told AFP.

“It is due to the fact that there were lot of corpses that were not identified and now we think those belong to terrorists not Israeli casualties.”

Israel previously said Hamas fighters who poured across the heavily militarized border on 7 October killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, the news agency said. Friday’s statement now says that “about 1,200 people” were murdered by Hamas.

- The Guardian

This Gaza war update at the BBC is like an Onion article.

BREAKING: Academy Award nominee & movie star Ana de Armas has unfollowed former IDF soldier and attempted actress Gal Gadot on Instagram

Cuban-Israeli diplomatic relationship in real time.

Israel found the tunnel and destroyed it

Al- Qassam Brigades from the second tunnel

(Via google lens translate)

A thread on Hamas' anti-tank tactics and weaponry:

Many have asked me about the efficiency of these Rockets fired by Hamas on Israeli Merkava tanks. Merkava IV is equipped with a trophy, an active protection system designed to protect it from anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). It intercepts them by firing counter projectiles. However, not all variants of Merkava are equipped with an APS system. Merkava IV can survive not one but several Standard RPG-7 and grenades. Merkava IV is a big challenge but it also has its limitations in Urban settings that are being exploited by Hamas. APS is not very effective when it comes to intercepting projectiles fired from a range less than 45m and very fast like Russian Kopyo SPG-9, Heavy Antitank Grenade Launcher, which does not give APS enough time to react.

Hamas is operating not standard PG-7 but PG-7VR tandem-charged with an explosively formed penetrator (EFP). Along with Al Yasin, an anti-tank tandem charged 105mm calibre rocket which is effective against reactive armour. Tandem charge refers to a projectile having two or more stages of detonation. So basically the first stage impact creates a hole allowing the the remaining part of the projectile to penetrate the case of amour more easily. Since the start of the war, we have seen multiple strategies executed by Hamas to deal with Israel Merkava IV Tanks.

1. Drone-dropped PG-7VR tandem heat PGs. Merkava IV is most vulnerable from the top. Hamas released a video of one successful attack. IDF was preparing for such tactics when moving deeper into Gaza that's why we saw Merkava tanks on the Gaza border having "salt armour".

2. Firing Al Yassin 105 tandem heat Anti-Tank missile from 'zero distance' (<50m). Video released earlier had visuals suggesting these missiles bypassed Trophy to hit armoured vehicles But keep in mind any engagement from the rear would for sure lead to penetration. Moreover, they likely fire multiple in quick succession.

3. Placing warhead right under the Trophy Active protection system on the Merkava tank, firing Al-Yassin after denoting the warhead to bypass the system.

4. Hamas also have AT-14 Kornet ATGMs, which were also used by Hezbollah during the ongoing border skirmishers with Israel, successfully targeting and destroying multiple Merkava IV Tanks.

5. Hamas also have operational Bulsae-2 laser-guided HEAT missiles. Though I read reports about Kornet but still haven't seen any video or report mentioning the operationalization of Bulsae 2 yet during the ongoing conflict.

Having said that, there are multiple factors involved when it comes to these anti-tank missiles; distance, area of impact, and missile used but even in case it doesn't fully penetrate, any successfully hit Merkava would likely need repair or in cases would be beyond repair.

Tlaib censured

Here are the dems who voted for it: https://twitter.com/JordanUhl/status/1722099671643165136

Me when my dog just destroyed a couch cushion: yes you are the best girl in the whole world and you deserve all the treats and petting I know you made a mistake but sometimes these things just happen I know deep down you are the goodest girl

Me when I get around to unloading the dishwasher two minutes later than I had planned to: I am LITERAL FILTH not fit to be CALLED a PERSON

Ever notice how the mouthpieces always talk about “peace” like it was a lost set of car keys? “It’s so frustrating that we can’t find peace”

A doctor in Gaza

11 surgeries back to back today

11 broken bodies

11 shattered lives

11 stories of heartbreak, sorrow and grief over loved ones slain

11 Palestinians betrayed by a humanity that sides with powerfull against the rightious

11 unknown futures without loved ones

Nitter

https://nitter.net/SanaSaeed/status/1723084192672542800#m

Corona Del Mar High School suspended a Palestinian student for saying ‘free Palestine’ to an Israeli student who called him a ‘terrorist’. 2 weeks prior, he was threatened w/violence by 2 Israeli students who faced no consequences.Check the book they found on the Principal’s desk

https://nitter.net/Esqueer_/status/1722977496646181029#m

Peaceful pro Palestinian protesters were assaulted by counter protesters but the narrative that it was the protesters that were violent threats is already being amplified by congressmembers.

“Hohsia we’re watching the debate and they’re saying tik tok is a threat to national security”

(Obviously not mentioning china has loads of other methods to use when it comes to recon) Sounds kinda silly and I don’t think there’s much evidence of that.

“Well that’s what they’re saying so I don’t know”

?

When your own parents are just a perfect representation of the average American voter

South Africa to Withdraw Its Diplomats from Israel

Since October 7, Gaza has been under constant bombardment by Israeli forces, which has killed at least 10,022 Palestinians.

The South African government announced on Monday that the country's cabinet decided to withdraw its diplomats in Israel for consultations on the situation in Gaza.

"The South African government has decided to withdraw all its diplomats in Tel Aviv to hold consultations. The withdrawal for consultations is a serious signal that South Africa takes a very dim view of the situation in that part of the world," Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, minister in the presidency, told a press conference.

Ntshavheni said South Africa is disappointed by the continued Israeli bombardment of schools and clinics in Gaza and the closure of humanitarian crossings. "A genocide cannot be tolerated under the surveillance of the international community," Ntshavheni said.

The minister added that "the cabinet has also taken note of the continued derogatory comments by the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who oppose the Israeli government's atrocities and genocide."

Ntshavheni brought up the "very untenable" position of the Israeli ambassador to the country, which is why "the cabinet has decided to instruct the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to take the necessary steps within diplomatic channels and protocols to address the conduct of Israel's ambassador to South Africa."

The South African country has recently urged Israel to comply with its obligations under international law, calling on the Israeli authorities to expedite the departure of its nationals from the territory and to protect civilians in Gaza.

Since October 7, Gaza has been under constant bombardment by Israeli forces, which has killed at least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women, while more than 25,000 were injured, according to updated data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The collapse of hospitals and shortages of supplies - drinking water, food, medicine, electricity and fuel - amid the Israeli blockade of the enclave have forced the displacement of more than 1.5 million people..

What I don't understand about Western journalism is why it relies so much on single-person sources without backing evidence and character assassinations that don't affect the news itself.

Four consecutive news megas with the highest number of comments on Hexbear prior to October 7th. Posting levels are off the charts. The button is a distant memory.

The Country of the Week is still Lebanon!

As mentioned in the preamble, feel free to post or recommend any material related to Lebanon, whether from a thousand years ago or yesterday. You can post it anywhere in the thread, but you can also reply to this comment if you wish.

If you're feeling particularly ambitious and want homework, you could take on any or all of these questions (no reward, but I'll be very proud of you):

• Who are the main political actors? Are they compradors, nationalists, international socialists, something else?
• What are the most salient domestic political issues; those issues that repeatedly shape elections over the last 10, 20 years. Every country has its quirks that complicate analysis - for example, Brexit in the UK.
• What is the country's history? You don't have to go back a thousand years if that's not relevant, and I'm counting "history" as basically anything that has happened over a year ago.
• What factions exist, historically and currently? If there is an electoral system, what are the major parties and their demographic bases? Are there any minor parties with large amounts of influence? Independence movements? Religious groups?
• How socially progressive or conservative are they? Is there equality for different ethnic groups, or are some persecuted? Do they have LGBTQIA+ rights? Have they improved over time, or gotten worse?
• What role do foreign powers play in the country’s politics and economy? Is there a particular country nearby or far away that is nearly inseparable from them, for good or bad reasons? Is their trade dominated by exports/imports to one place? Are they exploited, exploiters, or something in between?
• If applicable, what is the influence of former colonial relationships on the modern economy and politics?
• Is the country generally stable? Do you think there will be a coup at some point in the future, and if so, what faction might replace them?

The previous country was Palestine.

This is our Geopolitics Reading List so far! Please chime in with suggestions!

General Theory:

• Super Imperialism, by Michael Hudson.
• Imperialism in the Twenty-First Century: Globalization, Super-Exploitation, and Capitalism’s Final Crisis, by John Smith.
• Superexploitation and the Imperialist Drive of Capitalism: How Marini's 'Dialectics of Dependency' Goes beyond Marx's 'Capital', by Andy Higginbottom.
• Capital Volume 3 Lecture Series, 32 videos, 10-15 minutes each, by Andy Higginbottom.
• World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction, by Immanuel Wallerstein.
• Geopolitical Economy: After US Hegemony, Globalization and Empire, by Radhika Desai.
• Capitalism, Coronavirus and War: A Geopolitical Economy, by Radhika Desai.

Canada:

• Canada in the World: Settler Capitalism and the Colonial Imagination, by Tyler Shipley.

Chile:

• 1000 Days of Revolution: Chilean Communists on the Lessons of Popular Unity (I cannot personally find an online version).
• Santiago Boys Podcast, analyzing Allende's government and Cybersyn.

Lebanon:

• A History of Modern Lebanon, by Fawwaz Traboulsi.

United States:

• Drug Cartels Do Not Exist: Narcotrafficking in US and Mexican Culture, by Oswaldo Zavala.

Venezuela:

• Objective Conditions in Venezuela: Maduro’s Defensive Strategy and Contradictions Among the People, a longform article by Steve Ellner.

Yemeni Armed Forces announce:

Their air defenses were able to shoot down an American MQ-9 drone while it was carrying out hostile, monitoring and spying activities in the airspace of Yemeni territorial waters and within the framework of American military support for the Israeli entity.

📖 The next 48 hours seem to be decisive, we're heading either to a ceasefire or escalation.

1- The situation in hospitals is extremely critical we're on the verge of starting to see mass deaths

2- Very intensive diplomatic efforts by many countries in many capitals

3- Tomorrow : Arab summit, Nasrallah speech, Islamic summit.

During Arab summits, typically, Americans try to give roles for the Arab rulers to make them look like decision makers. Americans might decide to do a ceasefire and let the Arab leaders do the talking to make it look like it was their pressure and diplomatic intelligence that led to a ceasefire. The ceasefire would provide instant relief to hospitals and the wounded and sick and avoid a catastrophe. The cinema of "the responsible Arab that made the ceasefire".

4- Iranian diplomats changed the tone from "if you continue the region is heading to escalation" to "the region is certainly heading to escalation". (Shows that the situation is critical and unbearable anymore and all the diplomatic efforts and the pressure on the field didn't lead to a ceasefire yet).

All this shows that it's either make it or break it.

God I hope so badly they’re right, might pray for the first time in years since I became an atheist tbh

https://nitter.net/me_observer_/status/1722977675701022990 https://twitter.com/me_observer_/status/1722977675701022990

good news everyone! We've already been doing humanitarian pauses!

Mr Hagari added that there would be no ceasefire but Israel has been allowing for humanitarian pauses at specific times to give residents an opportunity to relocate south.

forcible relocation chic

The Israeli Air Force is currently carrying out airstrikes on the cities of Aita al-Shab, Naqura and Khiam in southern Lebanon.

If you can't give us some financial support, please give us credit and we will give you back money

Zelensky's credit score:

I wish US unions would actually do something. the USPS union came out with a statement, but imagine if they'd decided to strike - the country would basically shut down and they'd have to declare a ceasefire within a few days.

China's real estate share of GDP drops to 19.4%

This is even as China's GDP grows 5% YoY.

Bodies strewn near al-Shifa hospital: Official

An Al-Shifa official has said that dozens of bodies remain abandoned near the hospital and in its courtyard.

“We asked to be able to bury the bodies, but anyone who goes out into the courtyard of al-Shifa hospital gets shot,” said Mohammed Zaqut, director-general of Gaza hospitals.

The Gaza health ministry, he added, is “no longer able” to report on the dead and injured due to lack of access.

An al-Shifa ambulance driver also confirmed that their vehicles have come under Israeli sniper fire while trying to approach the bodies.

Palestinian-American US congresswoman Tlaib decries effort to censure her

Rashida Tlaib, who has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s offensive in Gaza and US policy on the war, currently faces three separate resolutions attempting to censure her in the US House of Representatives.

The first resolution, introduced by firebrand Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, failed last week.

One of the new resolutions – introduced by Republican Rich McCormick – accused Tlaib of “promoting false narratives” on the October 7 Hamas attack and “calling for the destruction of the state of Israel”.

In a statement, Tlaib said that “it’s a shame my colleagues are more focused on silencing me than they are on saving lives, as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 10,000”.

“Rather than acknowledge the voice and perspective of the only Palestinian American in Congress, my colleagues have resorted to distorting my positions in resolutions filled with obvious lies,” she said.

-Al Jazeera

Her tweet

Remember. And do not forget.

That cute person you sometimes see on the bus? Hamas.