Joe Biden’s mission in the Middle East. The White House has confirmed that the American president will be in Israel tomorrow. Meanwhile, overnight raids by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip hit over 200 Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets. This is the latest news today Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Biden in Israel and Jordan
US President Joe Biden will therefore be in Israel tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, “to demonstrate his firm support for Israel in the face of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack and to discuss next steps.” Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Here the White House underlines in a note: “It will reiterate that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination and will discuss the humanitarian needs of the civilian population in Gaza.”
IDF: 200 Hamas and Jihad targets hit in attack on Gaza
Raids by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip hit over 200 Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets overnight. This was reported by the IDF itself, according to which the raids also came from naval vessels and hit Hamas command centers and ammunition depots.
At least 71 people have been killed in Israeli bomb attacks in the Gaza Strip in the past few hours, reports satellite television al-Jazeera based on data from the Ministry of Health. According to the broadcaster, areas in the south of the Gaza Strip were also targeted in the bombings, including Khan Yunis, Rafah and Deir el-Balah. Medical sources cited by al-Jazeera said hundreds were injured. According to correspondence from Gaza journalist Safwat Kahlout, people are still trapped under the rubble of the affected buildings.
Rockets from Gaza against Israel “after an 11-hour standoff”
More rockets from the Gaza Strip against Israel. After an 11-hour standoff, rockets were fired at Israel from the Palestinian enclave, triggering warning sirens in areas in the south of the country, the Times of Israel reported. The Ynet news site also reports that rockets were fired into Israeli territory near Gaza this morning.
Israel: 4 terrorists who attempted to enter from Lebanon were killed
Israeli forces have thwarted an infiltration attempt by a cell from Lebanon, killing four terrorists. The IDF announced this on
Hamas Shura chief killed in Gaza
In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet said that Asma al-Mazini, head of Hamas’ Shura Council, was killed during operations in the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli security forces, al-Mazini was the “minister” in charge of Hamas prisoners in Israeli prisons and directed terrorist attacks against Israel. Al-Mazini was responsible for negotiating the exchange of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
The US is sending 2,000 marines to the area
CNN reported that the United States is deploying a US Navy rapid reaction force to waters off the coast of Israel, adding that the Pentagon is preparing American troops for a possible deployment to the country. A defense official close to the operation spoke of a force of 2,000 marines and sailors.
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