.https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/unprepared-saturday-october-7-2023?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
In addition to many soldiers, Hamas captured at least one top Israeli commander:
It seems highly unlikely that commander Aloni’s capture was an accident, which in turn suggests that the action was extremely well-planned with significant intelligence. It also seems unlikely that regional terrorist groups could have accomplished all this without help from a nation-state.
So the big question right now is: how far will this spread? Will other groups be encouraged to join? Anecdotal reports suggest there is a risk of a larger area of effect:
Israeli News 12 reported that an unnamed Israeli minister warned that this might be a distraction before a full-scale war with Lebanon and Syria to the north. Obviously, in the fog or war, there are more hot takes than actual news.
Local Israelis report being mustered up for civilian duty:
It’s a good thing Israelis are allowed to bear arms.
The issue is whether the controversy will spark another regional war. It seems likely that the conflict must get worse before it can get better.
Joe Biden is still sleeping.
But we are awake and praying for all the civilians on both sides, and that cooler heads will quickly prevail.