Former special envoy Nathan Sales appeared on “FOX News Live” Sunday to discuss recent attacks by Iranian proxies on American forces in the Middle East.
“Iran is behind everything we see in attacks on U.S. forces,” Sales said. “We see Iranian proxies attacking Americans in Syria and Iraq and now Yemen. And they will continue like this until we make them stop.”
Sales argued that the U.S. military needed to do more than “blow up empty munitions depots in the desert in the middle of the night” to mitigate the attacks.
“You actually have to take action and take action against those responsible for these attacks,” he said. “And that doesn’t just mean the deputies. This also includes the Iranian masterminds who are pulling the strings.”
The former ambassador added that Yemen’s Houthi movement, which was considered a terrorist organization under the Trump administration and was delisted when President Biden took office, should be reclassified as terrorists.
“Within weeks of her taking office, the Biden administration removed her from the terrorism list,” Sales said. “Maybe they need to reconsider and reinstate them.”
Posted by Andrea Vacchiano
4:03 p.m., December 3, 2023
Kirby blames Hamas for breaking the ceasefire: “We know they are holding more women and children.”
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Sunday blamed Hamas for the termination of the temporary ceasefire agreement with Israel.
During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Kirby told host Shannon Bream that the United States believes eight or nine Americans are still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, including a woman whose condition and whereabouts are unknown .
“We just don’t have perfect visibility,” Kirby said. “We’re literally at it by the hour, and that’s what we want to achieve [cease-fire] be put back in place so that more hostages can get out.
read this Full article about John Kirby by Danielle Wallace
Posted by Andrea Vacchiano
4:03 p.m., December 3, 2023
Reporter’s Notebook: Two Months in Hell; covers the maelstrom of the Middle East
Next week will mark two months since the horrific Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and 240 held hostage.
And it is also our second trip to the region during this crisis. Some things have gotten a little better.
During the brief ceasefire, over a hundred hostages were released and some relief supplies made their way to the stricken people of Gaza.
But overall, things have gotten worse and more complicated.
read this full piece by Greg Palkot
Posted by Andrea Vacchiano
1:40 p.m., December 3, 2023
Israeli Air Forces continue fighting across the Gaza Strip as attacks resume
Fox News’ Greg Palkot joined “Fox News Live” on Sunday to cover the Israel-Hamas war as negotiators reached an impasse in their talks with Qatar.
Israeli forces continue to intensify their campaign against Hamas and are now focusing on the southern Gaza Strip. Israel targeted Hamas and Hazbollah with attacks throughout the day.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
1:12 p.m., December 3, 2023
“Catastrophic” intelligence failures before September 11th and October 7th: Mollie Hemingway
Joe Biden’s deputy Kevin Walling and Fox News contributor Mollie Hemingway joined MediaBuzz to discuss a New York Times report that found Israel ignored terror warnings before Hamas’ October 7 attack.
Hemmingway compared the situation to similar intelligence failures that occurred in the United States before the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
12:45 p.m., December 3, 2023
Jayapal says condemnation of Hamas must be “balanced” with Israel’s “crimes against Palestinians.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., says any condemnation of Hamas for its terrorism should be “balanced” with criticism of Israel for its “crimes against Palestinians.”
Jayapal made the statement during a Sunday morning appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” with host Dana Bash. Bash urged Jayapal to condemn Hamas for its crimes against women, particularly during the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.
While Jayapal condemned Hamas, she argued that Israel had also committed crimes.
“Rape is terrible. Sexual assault is terrible. I think it happens in war situations. Terror organizations like Hamas are obviously using these as tools,” Jayapal said. “However, I think we need to weigh up when it comes to violence against the Palestinians. 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, three quarters of them women and children.”
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
11:58 a.m., December 3, 2023
According to the Pentagon, US warships and merchant vessels are being attacked in the Red Sea
The Pentagon said Sunday that a U.S. warship and several merchant vessels were attacked in the Red Sea.
The development marks a serious escalation in a series of naval attacks in the Middle East linked to the war between Israel and Hamas.
“We are aware of reports of attacks on the USS Carney and merchant vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available,” the Pentagon said, according to the Associated Press.
The Carney is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
The British military had previously said there had been a suspected drone strike and explosions in the Red Sea, without elaborating.
Read the full article
by Danielle Wallace of Fox News
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
11:28 a.m., December 3, 2023
The Paris stabbing suspect was released from prison after previously planning an Islamist terrorist attack
The suspect arrested in the brutal knife attack in Paris that left a German citizen dead and two others injured steps from the Eiffel Tower was released from prison in 2020 after plotting an Islamist terror attack, according to the French interior minister.
Speaking to reporters late Saturday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the arrested suspect, a French citizen in his 20s, was dismayed at how “many Muslims are dying in Afghanistan and Palestine” and claimed France was an accomplice, according to reports The Associated Press and Politico.
According to the AP, Darmanin said the accused attacker appeared to shout “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).
“I express my deepest condolences to the family and relatives of the German national who died in the terrorist attack in Paris this evening and think with emotion of the people who are currently injured and in care,” Macron wrote on Saturday in a post on X. “My sincere thanks go to the emergency services who made it possible to quickly arrest a suspect. The now sequestered National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office will be responsible for shedding light on this matter so that justice can be done on behalf of the French people.”
French President Emmanuel Macron immediately condemned Saturday’s incident as a “terrorist attack.”
Read the full article by Danielle Wallace of Fox News
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
11:02 a.m., December 3, 2023
Harvard whistleblower points to “blatant calls to murder Jews” amid federal investigation
A Harvard graduate called on the U.S. Department of Education to expand its investigation into the university to include the Ivy League school’s “laissez-faire attitude” toward protesters’ “blatant calls to murder Jews.”
The new allegations stem from concerns about Harvard’s lack of response to anti-Israel protesters who appeared to incite violence against Jews in Israel just a day after the Energy Department announced its investigation.
In a letter sent Saturday to Kristi R. Harris, OCR’s chief attorney in Boston, the alum thanked Harris for launching the investigation but called for it to be expanded.
“Harvard Hillel reported that on November 29th, the day after OCR informed me (and presumably Harvard) that it was opening a Title VI investigation, classes by Harvard College students were disrupted by a coordinated protest , during which megaphones blared vile anti-Semitic chants of “Globalizing the Intifada” and calling for the elimination of the Jewish state “from the river to the sea,” the letter said, citing an Instagram post from Harvard Hillel.
“Both are blatant calls to murder Jews and Israelis,” the alum added.
Read the full article by Danielle Wallace of Fox News
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
10:33 a.m., December 3, 2023
IDF reports show they are preparing for the next phase of the war in southern Gaza
Fox News’ Greg Palkot reported on “Cavuto Live” breaking news from the Israel-Hamas war in the first days since the end of the ceasefire.
Israeli military officials say they are preparing for the next phase of the war, turning their focus to the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “destroy” Hamas, but there remains an extensive civilian presence in the southern region.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
10:06 a.m., December 3, 2023
Israel releases footage of extensive airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon
The Israeli military released footage of extensive air strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday following an attack by the terrorist organizations.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an anti-tank missile attack that left several IDF soldiers “minorly injured.” Israel responded with artillery fire and air strikes.
“IDF warplanes recently attacked a number of targets of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, including terrorist infrastructure and military targets,” IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari wrote in a statement. “Even after the warnings in the north of the country, there have been a number of attacks in the last hour.” Launches towards Israeli territory were detected from Lebanese territory. IDF troops attacked the sources of fire with artillery.”
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
9:44 a.m., December 3, 2023
The US is “not doing enough” in the Middle East, says former Navy secretary
Former Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite joined Fox News to discuss the U.S. response to attacks on U.S. troops by Iranian-backed proxies, as well as U.S. military presence and capability in the Middle East.
Braithwaite argued Saturday that the U.S. is not doing enough to stabilize the region as Israel continues its war against Hamas. The U.S. has tried to deter Iran and its allies from joining the conflict, but Hezbollah and Houthi rebels have stepped up attacks on U.S. bases and Israeli forces.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
9:12 a.m., December 3, 2023
Tens of thousands gather with released Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv and demand the release of the victims
Tens of thousands of people gathered late Saturday with hostages released by Hamas, demanding the immediate release of those still in the Gaza Strip.
“I came to thank you because without you I wouldn’t be here. Now we have to bring my (son) Sasha and everyone back. Now,” said released hostage Yelena Trupanov, 50, during the event in Tel Aviv.
Hamas released more than 100 hostages during last week’s ceasefire, but Israel says the terror organization has backed out of an agreement to release all remaining captive women and children.
About 140 hostages remain in Hamas custody in Gaza.
Portal contributed to this report
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
8:29 a.m., December 3, 2023
British ship hit by missile in Red Sea: report
A British merchant ship was hit by a missile as it passed Yemen’s coast in the Red Sea on Sunday.
Britain’s Maritime Trade Operations Agency said it had “received a report of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) activity, including a possible explosion… from the direction of Yemen,” according to Agence France-Presse. The organization reported no injuries in the incident.
Tensions are rising in the region after Iran-backed Houthi rebels hijacked a ship in the area last month. The terrorist group attempted an attack on another Israeli-linked ship last week.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
7:53 a.m., December 3, 2023
Hezbollah anti-tank missile hits Israeli vehicle, injuring IDF troops
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for an anti-tank missile attack on an Israeli vehicle in northern Israel on Sunday.
The Israel Defense Forces said several soldiers were “minorly injured” in the attack, while Hezbollah claims the attack resulted in at least one death. The Israelis responded with artillery fire at the launch site.
“Following the warning in the north of the country, an anti-tank missile was discovered on an IDF vehicle in the Beit Hillel area. This resulted in damage to the vehicle. Several IDF soldiers were slightly injured by shrapnel,” the IDF wrote in a statement. “In addition, several launches were detected in the Har Dov area. Some of them fell on the territory of Lebanon. IDF troops are attacking the sources of fire with artillery fire.”
Hezbollah acknowledged the attack in its own statement on Sunday.
“In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their courageous and honorable resistance, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance targeted a military vehicle at Beit Hilal on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 1:10 p.m. “The terrorist group has the base with guided missiles fired upon and her crew killed and wounded.”
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
7:20 a.m., December 3, 2023
Lloyd Austin says protecting civilians in Gaza must be a “strategic imperative” for Israel
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he has “repeatedly” called on Israeli officials in recent weeks to do more to protect civilians in Gaza.
Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California on Saturday, Austin said Gaza’s civilian population was the “focal point” of the ongoing conflict. Israel has continued its campaign against Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip after ceasefire negotiations collapsed on Friday.
“In a fight like this, the focus is on the civilian population. And when you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat,” Austin said.
“That is why I have repeatedly made it clear to Israeli leaders that protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza is both a moral responsibility and a strategic imperative,” he added.
Portal contributed to this report
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
6:53 a.m., December 3, 2023
Israeli forces have discovered 800 Hamas tunnel shafts infesting the northern Gaza Strip
Israeli forces say they had uncovered 800 Hamas tunnel shafts leading to the terrorist organization’s underground labyrinth as of Sunday.
The IDF says it has destroyed about 500 of the shafts, but many remain open. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari posted footage on social media Sunday of Israeli soldiers destroying the access points.
Israel is continuing its campaign this week in the southern Gaza Strip, where Hamas is expected to have a similar underground network.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
6:33 a.m., December 3, 2023
Israel is pushing for evacuations around Khan Younis as the campaign against Hamas gains momentum in the southern Gaza Strip
Israel called on Gazans in several areas around the southern city of Khan Younis to stand down on Sunday, as Israeli forces put pressure on Hamas.
Israel says it has achieved a number of military targets in the past 24 hours (as of Sunday morning). Israel’s ceasefire with Hamas collapsed on Friday and the Israeli military resumed attacks in Gaza.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
6:16 a.m., December 3, 2023
Israel’s UN ambassador criticizes Soros for donations to “pro-Hamas groups” that seek the destruction of Israel
Left-wing activist billionaire George Soros is being heavily criticized by Israel’s UN ambassador for pumping over $15 million into a network of non-governmental organizations that allegedly support Hamas.
“George Soros’ donations to organizations that seek the destruction of the State of Israel as a Jewish state are shameful. However, I am not surprised,” Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan told Fox News Digital.
On October 7, Hamas launched a full-scale invasion of southern Israel, mass murdering 1,200 people, including over 30 Americans. Hamas also took more than 200 hostages. American citizens were among the civilians kidnapped by the jihadist terrorist organization.
“For years, Soros has supported and transferred money to organizations that support BDS and seek to isolate Israel,” added Erdan, who is leading the diplomatic campaign at the United Nations to make clear Hamas’ crimes against humanity. “They were never concerned with real peace or a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
BDS is an acronym for the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against the Jewish state. The German and Austrian parliaments classified BDS as an anti-Semitic movement, similar to the Nazi boycott of Jewish businesses in the early stages of the Holocaust.
Rachel Ehrenfeld, author of “The Soros Agenda,” told Fox News Digital: “Support for pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian groups in the US is not limited to foreign organizations. It also comes directly and indirectly from US-based foundations.” George and Alexander Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF) are one of them.”
Posted by Anders Hagstrom
6:13 a.m., December 3, 2023
An Israeli mother says her teenagers compared their captivity in Gaza to Fortnite: ‘Beyond imagination’
A group of released Israeli hostages gave their first public address in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, days after being freed from Hamas captivity.
Hadas Kalderon, the mother of 13-year-old former hostage Erez Kalderon and 16-year-old former hostage Sahar Kalderon, called her children “my very own superheroes.”
She said her children compared their experience in Gaza to the popular video game Fortnite.
“My private superheroes have survived and returned,” Kalderon said. “According to them, it was the war game Fortnite. A game that has become a reality, a reality that is beyond imagination.”
The mother said her husband was still in Gaza and called for his release.
“Her father, Ofer Kalderon, is still there,” she added. “Sahar wants a father! Erez wants a father!”
Andrea Vacchiano of Fox News Digital and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom