Politics

Israel Censors Reporting On Military Sites Hit By Iran, Obscuring Extent Of Damage

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– Israel Censors Reporting On Military Sites Hit By Iran, Obscuring Extent Of Damage:

After Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles across Israel on Tuesday evening, with video footage showing many of them hitting their targets, Israel closed off several military zones and barred the publication of reporting on where missiles hit the ground.

The censorship from Israel made it difficult to assess the full damage from Iran’s strikes, with both the US and Israel sending mixed messages regarding the size and impact of Tehran’s attack.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that an initial Israeli assessment of the attack showed minor damage to military bases. The Iranian attack hit the Nevatim air base in the Negev Desert, where Israel has placed some F-35 fighter jets. But Israel’s military declined to share with the Journal the extent of the damage to the air base.

The military said “it didn’t want to give information to Iran” that could help Tehran understand how much damage its attack caused.

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8 Israeli Troops Killed In Hezbollah Ambush As Close-Quarter Fighting Intensifies

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Hezbollah has been preparing for this for years, turning Lebanon into a death trap for Israeli invaders.

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– 8 Israeli Troops Killed In Hezbollah Ambush As Close-Quarter Fighting Intensifies:

On Wednesday Israel has disclosed that its military suffered the loss of eight soldiers killed in combat thus far. The slain troops were young conscripts, ranging in age 21 to 23. Hezbollah sources are claiming that dozens more Israeli troops were wounded.

Israeli media published photos of the young deceased troops, saying they were all killed Wednesday during cross-border ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and mark the first deaths since the launch of ‘Operation Northern Arrows’.

“The six Egoz commandos were all killed during a gun battle with Hezbollah operatives in a southern Lebanon village. Another officer and four soldiers were seriously wounded in the same incident,” Times of Israel writes. Egoz is special forces reconnaissance unit made up of elite commandos. Two other deaths were recorded in a separate battle incident in Lebanon.

Earlier in the day Hezbollah issued a statement saying it set an explosives trap ambush into which an Israeli unit walked, resulting in a group of casualties.

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New Israeli Strike On Damascus Kills Several Civilians Amid Fears Of Regional War

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– New Israeli Strike On Damascus Kills Several Civilians Amid Fears Of Regional War:

Israel on Wednesday has once again targeted Damascus – but which marks the first time Israel’s military has struck Syria since the Tuesday night major ballistic missile attack by Iran.

The fresh airstrike happened in broad daylight in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of the capital, killing at least three civilians, according to state-run SANA. Another three were reported wounded.

Some unverified reports say that a multi-story residential building was hit. It is unclear what Israeli jets might have been targeting, but Israeli media often casts these operations as against ‘Iranian assets’.

Israeli jets often fire into Syria from over unguarded Lebanese airspace, also as Lebanon has no air force or anti-air missile systems to speak of.

Such attacks have been growing in the last days and weeks in the context of the escalating war in Lebanon, despite the Syrian Army staying on the sidelines thus far.

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Iran Braces For Israeli Attack: Shutters Main Airports, Closes Airspace

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– Iran Braces For Israeli Attack: Shutters Main Airports, Closes Airspace:

Update(1315ET): Is tonight the night of the expected big Israeli retaliation attack? Iran appears to be bracing for new aggression from Israel: Iran has just announced the closure of its airspace, and it has diverted all civilian flights.

There are reports the government has shut down Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport in anticipation of the potential Israeli retaliation:

Iran announced that airports in the western half of the country, including Tehran and Mehrabad, are closed until Thursday except for emergency and certain other flights, according to aviation security specialist Osprey Flight Solutions via WSJ.

Speaking from Doha, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country is not seeking war, but in the scenario that “Israel acts against us we will respond.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to be in meetings with his security cabinet Wednesday to mull potential operations to last night’s Iranian attack which saw some 181 ballistic missiles fired directly at Israel.

Israel’s military claims most were intercepted, and that there was almost no damage or Israeli casualties, but the avalanche of available on-the-ground videos contradict these assertions. Israeli media has cited officials who say retaliation on Iran could include hitting targets like gas or oil rigs, and Iran’s nuclear sites.

“An attack on Iranian oil facilities could devastate the country’s economy, and any of the considered responses could mark another escalation, almost one year into the ongoing war that began when the Hamas terror group attacked Israel in October 2023,” Times of Israel writes.

A correspondent from the same publication has cited another official who says the response will aim to inflict “significant financial damage” and that Israeli leaders feel the strike “must be significant, and it must come soon.”

Read moreIran Braces For Israeli Attack: Shutters Main Airports, Closes Airspace

Nuclear Is Back: U.S. Closes On $1.5 Billion Loan To Resurrect Holtec’s Palisades Nuclear Plant – The Reuters report said that the administration aims to triple U.S. nuclear power capacity

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– Nuclear Is Back: U.S. Closes On $1.5 Billion Loan To Resurrect Holtec’s Palisades Nuclear Plant:

Following the news of the Three Mile Island restart plans, it looks like our assertion that ‘nuclear is back’ is correct.

That’s because this week the U.S. closed on a deal to resurrect another nuclear plant, Holtec’s Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, thanks to a $1.52 billion loan from the Biden administration, according to Reuters.

A senior Biden administration official stated that reopening the plant could take up to two years—longer than the company’s estimate.

The Reuters report said that the administration aims to triple U.S. nuclear power capacity as demand rises and climate concerns grow, which could include restarting decommissioned reactors like Three Mile Island, site of the nation’s worst nuclear accident. Restarting these plants is a complex and costly process that has never been done before in the U.S.

Read moreNuclear Is Back: U.S. Closes On $1.5 Billion Loan To Resurrect Holtec’s Palisades Nuclear Plant – The Reuters report said that the administration aims to triple U.S. nuclear power capacity

Israelis Leave Shelters After Iranian Attack Of 180 Ballistic Missiles; IDF Says Preparing To Hit Back

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– Israelis Leave Shelters After Iranian Attack Of 180 Ballistic Missiles; IDF Says Preparing To Hit Back:

Summary:

  • Common estimates show the attack on Israel involved at least 180 ballistic missiles. The Pentagon says about 200, or about twice the size of the prior April attack.
  • The waves of launches constituted the largest missile strike on Israel by Iran in history.
  • IRGC is claiming that 90% of missiles successfully hit their targets in Israel.
  • There were confirmed strikes on the ground, but no official casualties reported.
  • Israel’s emergency authorities have lifted all restrictions, and people in Tel Aviv have emerged from bomb shelters and returned to the streets.
  • White House says Iranian attack on Israel apparently “defeated and ineffective”.
  • Sullivan says there will be consequences for the attack, and US is consulting Israel on next steps or a potential response
  • Axios’ Barak Ravid has told CNN that he expects major Israeli retaliation strikes on Iran to come within the next several hours.
  • Iranian state TV says hypersonic Fatah missiles were used in the attack.
  • Iran’s President on X stated he does not seek war but will face any threat from Israel firmly.
  • Iran has said it gave no prior warning to US, but it did consult with Russia.
  • The IDF is vowing to ‘strike powerfully’ at targets in the Middle East.
  • IDF spox: “Iran carried out a serious act tonight and is pushing the Middle East to an escalation. We will act at the place and time of our choosing, in accordance with the guidance of the political echelon.”
  • IDF spox: “Tonight’s event will have consequences.”
  •  Iran-backed Iraqi militias say if the US takes part in “any hostile action” then US bases will come under attack.
  • UN chief condemns ‘broadening Mideast conflict’ without mentioning Iran.
  • Blinken: Iran’s missile attack on Israel ‘unacceptable,’ entire world should condemn.
  • US says it is ready to defend Israel, with Biden ordering US military assets to confront any further inbound projectiles.
  • At least two guided-missile destroyers in Eastern Mediterranean fired interceptors at inbound Iranian missiles.
  • Pentagon says about a dozen interceptor missiles were fired.
  • Pentagon refuses to say whether US will join in on future kinetic strikes against Iran.

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Newsom Outlaws Voter ID Rules In California

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– Newsom Outlaws Voter ID Rules In California:

California governor Gavin Newsom has just signed a new law banning local governments from requiring residents to present identification to vote in elections.

The legislation – introduced by Sen. Dave Min (D-Orange County) – is a direct response to a ballot measure approved this year by voters in Huntington Beach which required people to show photo identification at the polls.

Read moreNewsom Outlaws Voter ID Rules In California

Looting Erupts After ‘Biblical Floods’ Devastate Southeast US, Sheriff Urges Residents To ‘Carry With Safety Off’

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– Looting Erupts After ‘Biblical Floods’ Devastate Southeast US, Sheriff Urges Residents To ‘Carry With Safety Off’ :

People in parts of the Carolinas, Tennessee, and other storm-stricken states are standing their ground as looting reports flood X. This dire situation highlights the harsh reality that when disaster strikes and the government is nowhere to be found, being prepared and armed will save your life.

Eight illegal aliens were arrested in the eastern part of Tennessee for looting following the tropical system that unleashed flash floods in Washington County. Maybe these migrants were searching ‘for bread’ to feed their families… We suspect not.

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