The Paris Conference for humanitarian assistance to civilians in Lebanon has achieved €1 billion in pledges, far exceeding its target of €450 million. Some of this will go towards Syrians who have left Lebanon ,
Reportedly, France has pledged €100 million, Germany €96 million, Italy $10 million. The US appears to be the largest donor , at around US$300 million.
Australia has announced further humanitarian aid of $10 million to civilians in Lebanon, to be delivered through UN partners. The announcement advised that the aid was in part related to the Paris Conference.
In September, a further $2 million in aid for civilians was announced under existing programs, which mostly involve grants to NGOs.
Since 7 October 2023 Australia has committed $94.5 million in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and Lebanon.
It appears that Israel hit a number of SAM sites, along with obliterating the missile production factory that made the missiles that struck Israel. No nuclear or oil infrastructure was hit. It seems some missile launch related sites were hit, but it doesn’t seem to have been the main target set as these are fairly heavily protected underground.
This is problematic for Iran as they need massed fires to penetrate Israel’s missile defence system. Without the production capacity they can’t strike Israel with enough missiles to make a difference. It increases the risk that Iran moves forward with nuclear weapon development.
Iranian media is talking down the attack, which indicates Iran is going to try to deescalate from here.
They have already been moving ahead and are very close to finishing. This doesn’t risk that or speed it up, they have already been going as fast as they can.
Not what I understand has been happening. Iran has held off enriching uranium up to the % that is relevant to a nuclear weapon. They’ve been increasing their stock of moderately enriched uranium, but it seems they’ve only once enriched to a high level and that might have been an accident.
Iran is sitting at about 1-2 years away from converting that moderately enriched uranium into a stock of weapons grade sufficient for a few bombs. They’ve been sitting at that point for a while, using the threat for diplomatic leverage but not taking the step that will result in repercussions.
IDF statement referred to military targets.
The US confirmed that it was given a head’s up, but not involved. The US noted military targets ( reportedly by agreement with Israel) , referring to the Israel attack as ‘targeted and proportionate’
( Relevant UN obligations have been identified as three basic principles - Distinction, Proportionality, Precaution).
Yeah that’s the “official” bullcrap used to dupe people into thinking it’s all cool. The US and UN like to trot it out. In reality though it is far closer than that to the point that Israel is very very concerned. I would trust Israel’s knowledge of the level that Iran has reached before anything official.
Bit of a watch on Georgia this weekend.
Essentially will determine between their existing path under Georgia Dream of increasing RU appeasement.
Or pivot away, towards a more friendly western coalition and possible future EU membership.
I’m sure Vlad is watching this election with interest.
BBC News - Georgian elections: High stakes as voters decide path in Europe - BBC News
IAEA DG has confirmed that strikes on Israel have not affected Israel’s nuclear facilities.
There are many reports referring to Israel nuclear weaponry.
In the Pentagon readout of Austin’s discussions of 26 October with Gallant, there were references to warning Iran against retaliation, US ironclad guarantees to Israel, including in military weaponry, together with US capacity to defend its own interests and that of its partners in the region.
Austin also referred to an opportunity that he believed now exists to use diplomacy to dial down tensions in the region , including hostage release, a ceasefire deal in Gaza and to an agreement in Lebanon that would allow people on both sides of the Blue Line to return home safely.
Looks pretty damning that Benny.
Sounds like the President is mobilising a protest march later today. I’m concerned how this will play out given the EU have to stand aside of course.
The Israel legislated ban on UNRWA refers to an UNRWA presence in Israel and territories under Israel control. UNRWA has also been designated as a terrorist organisation, so presumably transfers of humanitarian goods and financial assistance from UNRWA into the covered areas would also be blocked .
In addition to Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s operations extend to Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Any deliveries of aid through Israel and occupied territories would be impacted. It is not clear whether Israel’s legal definition of ‘occupied’ would extend to Gaza or the West Bank although the Golan occupied region of Syria would appear to be covered.
The Rafah Gate between Egypt and Gaza appears to be the only land access to Gaza outside Israel borders. That Gate is currently closed on the Gaza side ( although some patients have been evacuated from Gaza through that Gate).
