The Hostages, One Year Later
Truth Dig4 hrs
Israel Launches New Ground Operations Across Gaza
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Above: A Palestinian boy leaves the area with the belongings they could bring with them as he walks in front of a destroyed structure after an Israeli army attack on the town of Bani Suheila, in Khan Yunis, Gaza on Oct. 7, 2024. Image copyright: Hani Alshaer/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Israeli forces moved into areas of northern Gaza once again over the weekend, while the military issued fresh evacuation orders for Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and Khan Younis in the south. Israeli strikes have continued across the strip, with one reportedly killing at least 26 people and wounding 93.
With Monday marking the first anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, Hamas fired a salvo of rockets at Tel Aviv. Over 130 rockets were fired into Israel from Lebanon on Monday, and a ballistic missile was fired at Tel Aviv from Yemen.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7. However, it's in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
Pro-Israel narrative
Amid ongoing terror from Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran, the world has turned its back on Israel. Whole stretches of the region have been taken hostage by Iran-backed terror groups while Israel is fighting to liberate the Middle East. Indeed, Israel does not only have a right to defend itself — it has a right to win.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel is bombing several countries in the Middle East yet continues to play the victim. As it commits genocide in Gaza and works to destroy Lebanon — all in the name of "remaking the Middle East" — it will only create more problems for itself. Indeed, Israel's aggression is only strengthening the resolve of its enemies and pushing the civilian population into their arms.
Narrative D
Hezbollah and Lebanon have experienced immense suffering for supporting Palestine against Israel's genocidal actions, yet the group will continue its noble fight. Hezbollah opened a support front with Israel to stand in solidarity with Gaza which has faced a genocidal Israeli campaign. Its attacks will end when Israel withdraws from Gaza. Nonetheless, Hezbollah is ready and able to defend Lebanon from Israeli aggression.
