Israel vs Palestine/Lebanon/Iran/Yemen/Syria: a New Middle East War

[shaberon]

Taken from Emergency Committee defendrojava.org


This is the running story about 1900s map magic, which drew in a spot for Israelis who did not live there, and prevented one for Kurdistan, a nation fragmented across four modern countries.

Currently, the SDF has no significant signs of being an Israeli or US proxy. It has absorbed remnants of the PKK and Ba'ath, as well as local Kurdish resistance, particularly the outstanding female Peshmerga YPJ:

The successes of the transitional government have been overshadowed by sectarian violence, alongside massacres and exclusion of minorities and women from shaping the new Syria, and aggressive neoliberal reforms threatening the sustenance of millions of Syrians. In this context, it is unsurprising that many political representatives and private individuals in NES, particularly women and members of minority communities, are sceptical about the benefits that can be offered by integration with a new government.

It's very similar to an American state. They are pushing for federalism, whereas HTS is pushing for centralization. A visible difference would be, central authority wants to take Rojava's oil revenue and distribute it across Syria, whereas Rojava says they should retain a larger portion.

Comparatively, America is not federal, that word is just a decoration.

Kurdistan houses "minorities", the Kurds themselves, Yazidis and Christians, and is a bastion of women's equality. It can only really speak in "Syria", because it has armaments that so far have prevented HTS from simply walking in. That's what they were doing in Aleppo, sawing down the Kurdish quarter and eliminating their protection.

The second article I linked is massive and is not really about the YPJ, but, phrases it in a geographical way, they are Northeast Syria or NES.

Turkey of course hates it; Iraqi Kurds are rather Americanized; and Iranian Kurds are perhaps one indigenous group that may have legitimate issues with that government. Collectively, and blaming the Treaty of Lausanne, the nation remains fragmented; what happens if they cannot come to terms with the new ideology in Damascus?

NES faces not only military threats from the Syrian government, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), and the SNA, but also the political challenge of integration into a new government ideologically opposed to the DAANES’ stated vision of federalism, pluralism, and women’s and minority rights. Progress on negotiations between NES and Damascus has remained painfully slow and frustrated by external influence, military pressure on NES raises the spectre of sectarian violence like that which has affected other regions of Syria, while the general humanitarian crisis remains acute in NES as throughout Syria.

That's close to the same argument we are having here, except they actually are autonomous because heavily armed.

I don't see it working out. I don't see how they can ever agree; Damascus wants them to turn in their arms and subordinate their military to "Syria". Why would you do that?

It doesn't have any friends, it's not connected to Palestine or even to Jordanians who may be sick of the Hashemites, it's quite stranded, from the Alawite and Druze populations of Syria as well. It is just that among all victims of imperialism, it continues to stand, somewhat independently, but definitely with a coherent national message that is not stark raving mad.

[shaberon]

Today Hamas reached an agreement mainly with Egypt, Qatar, Turkey in forming a new Gaza administration whose membership is only partially disclosed as of now:

A source close to the committee, speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the body will consist of 15 members whose names were agreed upon by Palestinian parties as well as the United States and Israel.

The committee will be headed by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, a veteran engineer and former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority. It will oversee key sectors including health, education, security, justice, and civil services.

The committee will be supervised by the proposed "Peace Council," led by Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov. It is expected to hold its first meeting within the next two days in Cairo, co-chaired by Mladenov and Shaath, marking the official start of its work and the adoption of an initial 30-day action plan.

Offices funded by donor countries are expected to open inside Gaza in the coming days to ensure direct coordination with the needs of the territory's approximately 2 million residents, according to the Palestinian source.

Aed Abu Ramadan, a nominee for committee membership, told Xinhua that selected members have been officially informed and coordination is underway for those currently inside Gaza to assume their duties according to their areas of expertise.

The group did not change its military capacity. The agreement lets other "parties" participate in governance, while mandating a full Israeli standdown.

I don't see how it particularly helps the West Bank or any other areas of concern, but it could help the survivors.

[shaberon]

Concurrent with Gaza going relatively quiet, here is a rapid re-shuffling about Zionism. By wire:


Israeli media reports partial evacuation of the Nevatim Air Base in the Negev amid tensions with Iran


They just kind of want to wash their hands, tone it down, not eat a pre-emptive strike, and let America do the posturing.


The first way it does this is by evacuations:

...the U.S. evacuated troops from multiple bases in the Middle East, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as a precautionary measure. The Qatari government said in a statement that the evacuations “are being undertaken in response to the current regional tensions.”

Later multiple U.S. military aerial tankers, at least six, were spotted taking off from Al Udeid Air Base to an undisclosed destination.

Israeli air defenses have been reportedly placed on high alert, with photos posted online showing the deployment of multiple Iron Dome batteries.

Bomb shelters have also been opened in several parts of the country, including in the city of Dimona, where the Negev Nuclear Research Center is located.

And then from Cairo. there is a rotation against a nascent Zionist satellite:

The Egyptian Air Forces carried out strikes against an arms shipment bound to the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the border triangle between Egypt, Sudan and Libya, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported on January 12.

A separate report released by Italy’s Agencia Nova news agency said that the latest strikes hit a large military convoy including dozens of vehicles loaded with fuel, weapons, and military equipment in the border triangle, causing significant losses.

The RSF, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, has been engaged in a power struggle with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), allied to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and others, for close to three years now.

...the latest Egyptian strikes appear to be a part of wider regional efforts, led by Saudi Arabia, to quell Emirate influence.

Notably, the latest Egyptian strikes came just a few days before Somalia annulled all security and defense agreements with the UAE citing alleged breaches of the country’s sovereignty, national unity, and political independence. The UAE has been accused of backing the breakaway region of Somaliland in the north of the country, which was very recently recognized by Israel.

Israel and UAE are unlikely to be the regional architects.

Egypt, Turkey and even the Saudis as proponents for the stability of Gaza and at least a "respect" of Iran as a more important regional partner than Israel probably are.

[bojancan]

We should not forget Gaza...

Al Jazeera English
17M subscribers
Gaza tries to bury its dead: Some bodies in makeshift graves moved to cemeteries

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=08wr4Rwkr4I

For months, families in Gaza were forced to bury their loved ones wherever they could amid the chaos of war. Now with a ceasefire in place, Civil Defence teams are stepping in to recover at least 50 bodies and transfer them to cemeteries, giving families a proper place to mourn.

[bojancan]

Topic IRAN with Rachel... very sad to see that Israel and US lies again and again... propaganda is not working no more... Trump, you are not saving no one... how about you focus on Americans first...

===

Jan, 14
Rachel Blevins
and Free Palestine TV
Iran READY for WAR as US Military Base EVACUATES Personnel, Trump Cheers VIOLENCE | Laith Marouf

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=P3KhfjrnBh0

[bojancan]

All of those responsible for negotiating Peace in Gaza... do not have a peace plan at all... we all know who they are... they are working with and supporting Israel against Gaza... it won't stop until this administration is removed... I am listening in some reporting voices.. where people are saying "ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE as Trump turns the city in a WAR ZONE"... I think they are committing war crimes against their own citizens.. US citizens... as same against Palestinians..

Jan, 13
The Young Turks
6.4M subscribers
IDF Is DEMOLISHING The Gaza Strip

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=v8WmC2ZxTa8

CHAPTERS:
0:00 NYT analysis of Gaza demolitions
2:45 What's Israel's excuse for this?
4:00 What the peace deal says
5:00 Slaughter campaign continues
6:10 What the New York Times leaves out

[bojancan]

People will never stop speaking out about Gaza... the world desperately depends upon those who speak the truth and shine... as Norman Finkelstein...

Jan, 14
The Chris Hedges YouTube Channel
293K subscribers
Deconstructing Trump's 'Peace' Plan for Gaza (w/ Norman Finkelstein) | The Chris Hedges Report

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1ke5Ss2aZSU

[Ravenlocke]

-- GEROMAN -- time will tell - 👀 --

Trump Iran strike on hold... for now
Starlink was not only jammed but tracked down
Russia played a role - but not only there.

https://x.com/GeromanAT/status/2011910282864476527

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=d5AAZ4cYubs

[Ravenlocke]

dana

🇷🇺🇮🇷BIG BROTHER ONLINE: Russia Helps Iran Execute Largest Internet Blackout in History

Iran Shuts Down Internet on Unprecedented Scale

Iranian authorities drastically blocked internet access, cutting mobile connectivity by almost 100%.

Within the first half-hour of the shutdown, internet traffic was reduced by a staggering 90%, according to Cloudflare Radar.

Selective Blockade Ensures Government Services Remain Online

During the blackout, many state websites and services were quickly restored.

Popular apps like “Snapp!” and payment systems at gas stations continued functioning.

Technical Architecture Developed with Russian Assistance

The blockades utilize Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology provided by Russian companies such as Protei.

This allows blocking specific sites, applications, VPNs, messengers, and even tracking protest coordination efforts.

Russia’s Support Extends Beyond Technology

In addition to technical assistance, Russia has supplied equipment for suppressing protests.

Around 40 armored vehicles (Spartak MRAP) intended for internal security have been delivered since late 2025.

Future Plans Include New National Network Based on Huawei Equipment

Development is underway for a new national network that could enable long-term disconnection from global internet infrastructure.

Enhanced control over information flows within the country will further consolidate power.

ukraine_watch

https://x.com/dana916/status/2011929606010400824

[Ravenlocke]

dana

🇮🇷🇺🇳⚔️🇺🇸 Reaction of Iran's representative at the United Nations to US interventions

The people of Iran fully understand the true meaning of the US's claim of "support"; from designing the August 19, 1953 coup to comprehensive support for Saddam during the imposed war, the shooting down of the passenger plane (Flight 655), and the massacre of 290 innocent civilians.

The peaceful protests of the Iranian people were exploited and turned into violent riots.

We witnessed horrific scenes such as beheadings and burning police and security forces alive.

Ambulances, fire trucks, hospitals, people's homes, and religious sites were set on fire.

The US government and its accomplices, especially the Israeli regime, cannot escape responsibility for the innocent blood that has been shed.

Farsna

https://x.com/dana916/status/2011943443069825388

[Ravenlocke]

The Resonance

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson: “What they've been doing, Mossad principally, CIA and MI6, all backed by Donald Trump, what they've been doing in Iran is acting as if they were Iranian citizens and killing Iranians..”

https://x.com/Partisan_12/status/2011883052398756039

[shaberon]

Posted by bojancan (here)
All of those responsible for negotiating Peace in Gaza... do not have a peace plan at all... we all know who they are...

I actually don't.

The agreement was based on:

Hamas leader Mohammed Nazzal said that the movement was informed of the nomination of former UN diplomat Nikolay Mladenov for the position of Executive Director of the “Peace Council” tasked with administering affairs in the Gaza Strip, following Hamas’s objection to the nomination of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for the post.

Trump pushed back the group's formation for "mechanical" reasons, and appears to be installing himself. That's not as per agreement. Plus it is narcissistic and unnecessary. I don't know if it significantly affects the terms. It's just boorish and crude.

[bojancan]

Who do NOT want a Peace in Gaza?

Opposition to peace in Gaza comes from various actors with complex, sometimes conflicting, motives, including hardline Israeli politicians seeking permanent control or settlements, Hamas's resistance to recognizing Israel, Palestinian militant groups aiming for broader goals, and potentially elements within the Israeli government prioritizing security over immediate deals, while some international players are wary of enforcement roles, creating a multifaceted landscape where sustained peace remains elusive.

Actors & Motivations for Hindering Peace
Far-Right Israeli Politicians (e.g., Ben-Gvir, Smotrich): Oppose ceasefires, prisoner releases, and favor occupying Gaza to facilitate settlement expansion, viewing lasting Palestinian self-rule as a threat.

Hamas: Rejects Israel's existence and opposes traditional peace frameworks like the two-state solution, seeking an interim Palestinian state but not full recognition of Israel, as noted by BBC.
Hardline Israeli Elements: Some within the government resist deals that don't fully achieve security goals or allow long-term Israeli presence, as seen with past defense ministers showing reluctance.

Palestinian Militant Groups:
Other groups beyond Hamas may also resist peace, pursuing different agendas or opposing concessions, though specific examples aren't detailed in the snippets.
Political Calculations: Prime Minister Netanyahu's government has faced pressure, with some analysts suggesting political factors (like upcoming elections or dealing with internal hardliners) influence peace efforts, says Al Jazeera and PBS.

Obstacles to Peace from Other Perspectives

International Actors: Some countries are hesitant to join an enforcement mission in Gaza, fearing entanglement in a prolonged conflict, notes BBC.
Internal Palestinian Division: Israel's preference to deal with Hamas rather than the Palestinian Authority highlights deep rifts, with the PA supporting a two-state solution but lacking control in Gaza, according to BBC and PBS.

In essence, opposition to peace stems from extremist ideologies, security concerns, political leverage, and a lack of trust, with Hamas and far-right Israeli factions often cited as primary obstacles to current efforts, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

https://www.google.com/search?client...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

[sdv]

Hamas: It is impossible to find the truth in Western sources, and very diffucult to find non-Western sources on Hamas and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here is one:

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east...-israel/809237

In its 2017 charter, Hamas officially recognized the existence of the Israeli state and its right to exist. It also stated that its aim was to establish a fully independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, with what was left of Palestine (the now destroyed open-air prison Gaza, the military occupied West Bank where Israelis have continued to illegally steal land and establish Israeli settlements, and East Jerusalem). Today, very few states officially reject the two-state solution. Israel and the USA reject it, although previous American presidents, like Carter, supported it. International organizations such as the UN officially recognize the Palestinian state.

Hamas distinguished between Jewish people, who had lived alongside Muslims and Christians for centuries, and the European Zionists that created the state of Israel on stolen land and have been conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing since then, which has developed into genocide in Gaza.

[Ravenlocke]

Disclose.tv

NOW - Reza Pahlavi: "I went to Israel to show that we are the descendants of Cyrus the Great, who 25 centuries ago helped free the Jewish people and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem."

https://x.com/disclosetv/status/2012258037180866866

[Ravenlocke]

Dana

🇺🇸🇮🇱⚔️🇵🇸‼️Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ordered that large-scale images and posters of the mass destruction in the Gaza Strip be displayed within Israeli prisons holding Palestinian detainees.

Large posters, some several meters tall, were placed on the walls of prison yards and corridors. Palestinian prisoners are reportedly forced to walk past and view these images during their daily exercise hour.

During a publicized visit to a prison, Ben-Gvir stated, "This is what the prisoners should see every day," and "I hope they all see their houses here". He claimed that at least one prisoner had already recognized their destroyed home in the photos.

Resistance trench

https://x.com/dana916/status/2012277765723078839

[Jaak]

Trump just tapped Marco Rubio, Tony Blair, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga as founding members of a so-called Gaza “Board of Peace.”

And ICYMI: months ago JD Vance literally admitted on camera that Kushner is the “investor” in the Middle East “peace talks.”

Let that sink in.

A private citizen, flush with billions from foreign sovereign funds, is now sitting at the table shaping U.S. policy like this is a real estate deal.

This isn’t diplomacy. It’s monetized foreign policy.

[sdv]

I think this is interesting: DropSite News talks to someone who was in Iran and participated in the protests. It is worth listening to the very end and to accept what Iranians want instead of projecting motives on them and jumping on the bandwagon. The person being interviewed makes her contempt for Trump and Israel very clear. Leave us alone is the clear message. My experience in my country is that corruption is unacceptable to the people, no matter who the government is (the USA seems to be a bit different and what other peoples see as corruption, Americans see as admirable ... if you can get away with making billions by exploiting others, you are to be admired, and if you do end up serving time in prison, you pick up where you left off after you served your term).

https://youtu.be/KG4-jgsM2M4?si=Skfye8MacjXNfOz6

[Ravenlocke]

Clash Report

NEW: The Trump administration is asking countries to pay at least $1 billion for a permanent seat on Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace.”

Trump would chair the board, control membership, approve decisions, and oversee funds.

Countries contributing $1 billion in the first year would be exempt from term limits.

Source: Bloomberg

https://x.com/clashreport/status/2012651894305378724

[Ravenlocke]

DD Geopolitics

🇵🇸☦️ The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem REJECT CHRISTIAN ZIONISM

The highest legitimate Christian authority in the Holy Land has issued a rare, unified declaration explicitly condemning Christian Zionism and rejecting outside actors who claim to speak for Christians in Palestine.

Key points:

• Christian Zionism is named as a “damaging ideology” that misleads the public, sows confusion, and harms Christian unity
• Individuals advancing this ideology are accused of claiming authority outside the Church
• These actors have been welcomed at official political levels, amounting to interference in the internal life of the churches
• The Patriarchs state that they alone represent the Christian communities of the Holy Land

Jerusalem’s historic churches are saying that foreign-backed political Christianity is endangering indigenous Christians, undermining church authority, and being used to advance agendas that threaten the Christian presence in the land.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2012675745689272569