This isn't a war. It is a fight for survival. It would be like the Elves from Middle Earth saying Sauron isn't so bad. He can be reasoned with. No he can't. You either kill him or he kills you. There is no compromise or middle ground.

Rainy crappy cold day here, so went down the YouTube rabbit hole and found these two interesting videos:

Beretta Model 71 and its history amongst Israeli Special Forces and Mossad (stay for the stories starting around the middle of video, some interesting names):




History of Mossad both success and failures (Interesting about the German Nazis helping Egypt and training PLO):



More Mossad videos at Criminals and Crime fighters

Israel and Hamas close to hostage deal that would halt Gaza war for two months

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/384257

American-led negotiators are edging closer to an agreement in which Israel would suspend its war in Gaza for about two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas, The New York Times reported on Saturday night.

According to the report, negotiators have developed a written draft agreement merging proposals offered by Israel and Hamas in the last 10 days into a basic framework that will be the subject of talks in Paris on Sunday.

While there are still important disagreements to be worked out, US officials told The New York Times that negotiators are cautiously optimistic that a final accord is within reach.

In the first phase of the new deal, fighting would stop for about 30 days while women, elderly and wounded hostages were released by Hamas. During that period, the two sides would work out details of a second phase that would suspend military operations for roughly another 30 days in exchange for Israeli soldiers and male civilians being held.

The ratio of Palestinian Arabs to be released from Israeli prisons is still to be negotiated but that is viewed as a solvable issue, according to The New York Times. The deal would also allow for more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

While the agreement would not be the permanent ceasefire that Hamas has demanded for the release of all hostages, officials believe that if Israel halts the war for two months, it would likely not resume it in the same way that it has waged it until now.

The report comes as Israel and Hamas, through mediators, continue to discuss a possible hostage release deal.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Israel and Hamas broadly agree in principle that an exchange of hostages for prisoners could take place during a month-long ceasefire.

The sources added, however, that the framework plan is being held up by the two sides' differences over how to bring a permanent end to the Gaza war.

On Monday, Axios reported that Israel has given Hamas a proposal, through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, that includes up to two months of a pause in the fighting as part of a multi-phase deal that would include the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza.

Israeli officials said they are waiting for a response from Hamas but stressed they are cautiously optimistic about the ability to make progress in the coming days.

Later, CNN reported that Israel has proposed that Hamas senior leaders could leave Gaza as part of a broader ceasefire agreement.

According to the report, Israel’s suggestion was discussed as part of broader ceasefire negotiations at least twice in recent weeks. However, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani said that the Israeli idea “would never work”.

American-led...

They misspelled "lied".

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
American-led...

They misspelled "lied".

Cynic! ...its one of the things I like about you

It's based on history.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Good. It should be one mile instead of one kilometer. No, make that two miles.

I think the protesters were sorta on the right track, just confused. From the river to the sea is a great idea, it needs to be all Israel.

Exclusive: Israeli source says “some progress” in hostage negotiations but too early for optimism

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news...o-early-for-optimism

As Israeli Mossad Chief David Barnea arrives in Paris to meet with negotiators from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt on a potential hostage deal with Hamas, an Israeli source tells i24NEWS that although there is “some progress” in the talks, it is too early to be optimistic.

"There is nothing to congratulate. The talks can still fail as quickly as they started. We are doing everything we can to bring about the release of the hostages."

The source refused to answer whether there is any change in Hamas' pre-conditions for a deal.

The Mossad chief is accompanied by the head of Israel’s Internal Security Agency (Shin Bet) Ronen Bar. On Saturday, the Qatari Prime Minister, head of Egyptian intelligence, and CIA director William Burns all arrived in Paris ahead of the talks.

This business will get out of hand....

Tell me again who would start WWIII if he got elected.

***********

3 US service members killed, many injured in drone attack in Jordan by ‘radical Iran-backed militant groups’

Three US service members were killed, and many others wounded, following a drone attack on Saturday night in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, officials said.

“While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iran,” Joe Biden said in a statement.

https://nypost.com/2024/01/28/...yp&utm_medium=social

^^^^^
Can't say what I wanna say. This just overcooks my grits! JSMH...

FJB
FJB
FJB
.
.
.

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
Israel and Hamas close to hostage deal that would halt Gaza war for two months

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/384257

American-led negotiators are edging closer to an agreement in which Israel would suspend its war in Gaza for about two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas, The New York Times reported on Saturday night.

According to the report, negotiators have developed a written draft agreement merging proposals offered by Israel and Hamas in the last 10 days into a basic framework that will be the subject of talks in Paris on Sunday.

While there are still important disagreements to be worked out, US officials told The New York Times that negotiators are cautiously optimistic that a final accord is within reach.

In the first phase of the new deal, fighting would stop for about 30 days while women, elderly and wounded hostages were released by Hamas. During that period, the two sides would work out details of a second phase that would suspend military operations for roughly another 30 days in exchange for Israeli soldiers and male civilians being held.

The ratio of Palestinian Arabs to be released from Israeli prisons is still to be negotiated but that is viewed as a solvable issue, according to The New York Times. The deal would also allow for more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

While the agreement would not be the permanent ceasefire that Hamas has demanded for the release of all hostages, officials believe that if Israel halts the war for two months, it would likely not resume it in the same way that it has waged it until now.

The report comes as Israel and Hamas, through mediators, continue to discuss a possible hostage release deal.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Israel and Hamas broadly agree in principle that an exchange of hostages for prisoners could take place during a month-long ceasefire.

The sources added, however, that the framework plan is being held up by the two sides' differences over how to bring a permanent end to the Gaza war.

On Monday, Axios reported that Israel has given Hamas a proposal, through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, that includes up to two months of a pause in the fighting as part of a multi-phase deal that would include the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza.

Israeli officials said they are waiting for a response from Hamas but stressed they are cautiously optimistic about the ability to make progress in the coming days.

Later, CNN reported that Israel has proposed that Hamas senior leaders could leave Gaza as part of a broader ceasefire agreement.

According to the report, Israel’s suggestion was discussed as part of broader ceasefire negotiations at least twice in recent weeks. However, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani said that the Israeli idea “would never work”.

Victor Davis Hansen said Israel would try to eradicate Hamas, but they wouldn't be allowed to.

Infuriating, and generals should be fired.

Our posture in the Middle East is obvious to anybody with time spent living with, and fighting these barbarous cultures: deal with them ruthlessly and use overwhelming violence to pacify them. And keep your boot on their throat for as long as you remain engaged. Or, if you are unwilling to act in the necessary manner, that’s fine just leave. But staying without acting appropriately is the worst possible option and the one our idiot leadership class has chosen.

quote:

Originally posted by arabiancowboy:
Infuriating, and generals should be fired.

Our posture in the Middle East is obvious to anybody with time spent living with, and fighting these barbarous cultures: deal with them ruthlessly and use overwhelming violence to pacify them. And keep your boot on their throat for as long as you remain engaged. Or, if you are unwilling to act in the necessary manner, that’s fine just leave. But staying without acting appropriately is the worst possible option and the one our idiot leadership class has chosen.

I don't often full-quote, but the above was re-quoted in its entirety because it needs to be repeated far, wide, and frequently.

Not sure where this belongs, so I'll put it here...

Three US troops are killed and 25 injured in drone strike by Iran-backed militia in Jordan, US says

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Three American troops were killed and 25 were injured Sunday in a drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, the U.S. military said. President Joe Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes by the groups against American forces across the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war.

With an increasing the risk of military escalation in the region, U.S. officials were working to conclusively identify the precise group responsible for the attack, but they have assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it.

Biden said the United States “will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing.”

Iran-backed fighters in east Syria began evacuating their posts, fearing U.S. airstrikes, according to Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet. He told The Associated Press that the areas are the strongholds of Mayadeen and Boukamal.

According to a U.S. official, the number of troops wounded in the attack by a one-way attack drone may grow. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not made public, said a large drone struck the base, which two other American officials identified as an installation in Jordan known as Tower 22. It is along the Syrian border and is used largely by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces.

The small installation, which Jordan does not publicly disclose, includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops.

The U.S. military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Tower 22. The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for U.S. forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near the intersection of the Iraq, Syria and Jordan borders.

Jordanian state television quoted Muhannad Mubaidin, a government spokesman, as insisting the attack happened across the border in Syria.

U.S. troops long have used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a basing point. U.S. Central Command put the toll at three killed and 25 injured.

Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed in Jordan.

Since the war in Gaza began Oct. 7, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles. The attack Sunday was the first targeting American troops in Jordan during the Israel-Hamas war and the first to result in the loss of American lives. Scores of U.S. personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks.

The militias have said that their strikes are in retaliation for Washington’s support for Israeli in the war in Gaza and have also said they aim to push U.S. forces out of the region.

The U.S. in recent months has struck targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Biden, who was in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday, was briefed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and principal deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. He was expected to meet again with his national security team later Sunday.

The president called it a “despicable and wholly unjust attack” and said the service members were “risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. It is a fight we will not cease.”

Syria is still in the midst of a civil war and long has been a launch pad for Iranian-backed forces there, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Iraq has multiple Iranian-backed Shiite militias operating there as well.

Jordan, a staunch Western ally and a crucial power in Jerusalem for its oversight of holy sites there, is suspected of launching airstrikes in Syria to disrupt drug smugglers, including one that killed nine people earlier this month.

An umbrella group for Iran-backed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq earlier claimed launching explosive drone attacks targeting three areas in Syria, as well as one inside of “occupied Palestine.” The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.

https://apnews.com/article/bid...558d840ae91263037489

Remember the good old days Jake? Happy days are here again. Remember.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFxpQfbskv8

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
Not sure where this belongs, so I'll put it here...

Three US troops are killed and 25 injured in drone strike by Iran-backed militia in Jordan, US says

Well, it was posted five posts above yours already, so here is probably good a place as any.

^^^Mine's Bigger...

I feel terrible for the families of these service men that have been sacrificed by this administration.

I am sorry for those that have suffered TBI's due to the failed policy of appeasement from this administration.

I hope that they all get answers to why this administration continues its failed policies, after all the evidence of their inability to deal with any real issue.

Nancy Pelosi condemned by US Muslims for Gaza ceasefire claim

US Muslim group condemns Pelosi for saying Gaza ceasefire protests have Russia link; Pelosi: "Some of these protesters are spontaneous, and organic, and sincere. Some I think are connected to Russia, their “financing should be investigated."

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/384308

Reuters reports that a Muslim group in the US criticized former House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday because she suggested that some protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza could be linked to Russia, even though she had no evidence. Pelosi urged the FBI to investigate.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) dismissed her comments as "unsubstantiated smears" and said they amounted to dehumanization of the Palestinian people.

Pelosi made these comments after she was asked in a CNN interview whether opposition to President Joe Biden's policy in the war in Gaza could harm the Democrats in November's presidential election.

Pelosi claimed that "this is directly connected to what he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) would like to see. Some of these protesters are spontaneous, and organic, and sincere.” “Some I think are connected to Russia," she added, claiming that their “financing should be investigated,” and asking the FBI to investigate that."

This was the first time a prominent U.S. lawmaker has accused Russia's leader of backing U.S. protesters calling for a ceasefire.

More at link