Mornin’ Politocadoes!
A QUICK PSA: If you feel like the news is too much for you right now, you have every right to turn your head off for a bit. You are doing no one any good if news consumption is affecting your mental health.
The brewing war in the Gaza Strip has the world holding its breath, as Israel prepares for a possible ground assault. Following Hamas’ unprecedented strike on Israeli civilians that left hundreds dead or rendered hostages, the government is facing public pressure to address the situation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already pledged that this is a war, and sadly, there seems little reason to believe otherwise.
The Gaza Strip is approximately 25 miles long and currently has 2.3 million residents. It is densely packed with little or no way of evacuating. Egypt has moved to block any passage from Gaza through the Rafah border crossing into the Sinai Peninsula, instead encouraging Israel to allow for safe passage of evacuees. To where exactly, is not clear. It is the sole possible crossing point, otherwise the Strip is surrounded by the sea and Israel. The Israeli government has updated its recommendations for people to head south as Egypt makes its moves.
Israel has stopped all deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity to the Strip since Saturday. Palestinians have lined up at bakeries and groceries in the hope of having some provisions as the possibility of a ground assault increases. International aid groups have warned that the death toll could mount as utilities are halted, crippling local hospitals ability to provide to its patients.
Needless to say, other countries have been observing the situation with keen interest. Taiwan, a self-governing island with a cool relationship to a much larger power, was alarmed as the situation blew up so suddenly. Taiwan says it has been subjected to a campaign of intimidation by China and what Israel does next will be important to Taiwan’s ability to forecast upcoming threats.
The actions being taken will affect what other states choose to do in the future. So I would hope that Israel takes pause and thinks real, real hard about next steps. Precedence has power.
Welcome to Thursday! Please be excellent to each other in the comments. The Mayor McSquirrel Rule remains in effect.Something to keep in mind! Police are using digital data to prosecute abortion seekers, and Facebook and Google are helping them! Even if they are not legally required to do so, the tech giants will aid them in this since it’s technically *against the law*. Please be careful when looking for abortion providers or helping someone who is looking for that assistance.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues even if the emergencies end, continue to vaccinate using the latest version of the FDA approved vaccines by Phizer and Moderna. Even if you are vaccinated, please continue to maintain social distancing measures, wear masks in public areas in accordance with CDC guidelines in regard to your own vaccination status.