The US conducted airstrikes in eastern Syria on targets linked to Iran, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, while President Joe Biden spoke with Qatar’s ruler about trying to secure the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s military pressed on with its offensive against Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union, conducting raids in northern Gaza on the outskirts of the Shati refugee camp, the third-largest in the enclave. Israel says it killed militants in the area, which is in a zone it’s told civilians to leave.
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(All time stamps are Israeli time)
UAE Says the War’s Thrown the Middle East into ‘Chaos’ (8:15 a.m.)
The “crisis has thrown the region into yet another significant period of violence and chaos,” Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, said at a conference in Abu Dhabi.
Hamas initiated the war and “nothing can justify attacks targeting civilians,” he said. “At the same time, we are deeply concerned by the unparalleled response of the Israeli government and military. The disproportionate attacks on civilians cannot be justified and add further fuel to the prospects of greater radicalization in the region.”
He reiterated the UAE’s position that there must be a cease-fire. The conflict underscores the “serious error of the policy of containing the Palestinians,” he said, adding that there must be a new push toward a two-state solution.
Israeli Army Raids Hamas Targets in Shati Camp (08:00 am)
Israeli troops are conducting raids on the outskirts of the Al-Shati Camp in northern Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure they say is located in central governmental institutions in the heart of the civilian population, including schools, universities, mosques, and residences.
“Hamas’ terror infrastructure was deliberately located inside civilian structures,” the Israeli military said, citing the Al-Quds University the Abu Bakr mosque as examples, the Israeli military said in a statement Monday. Troops seized dozens of weapons, military equipment, and operational plans belonging to Hamas.
US Warned Israel That Military Action Is Stoking Lebanon Border Tensions: Axios (7:30 a.m.)
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed concern to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant in a call on Saturday about Israel’s role in escalating tensions along the border with Lebanon, Axios reported, citing unnamed Israeli and US sources briefed on the call.
Axios said Austin’s message to Gallant reflected growing anxiety in the White House that Israeli military action in Lebanon against the militant group Hezbollah is exacerbating tensions and could lead to a regional war.
Some in the Biden administration are concerned Israel is trying to provoke Hezbollah and create a pretext for a wider war in Lebanon that could draw the US and other countries further into the conflict, Axios said, citing unnamed people briefed on the issue. Israeli officials flatly deny it, Axios said. Bloomberg could not immediately verify the report.
CNN Says Hundreds of Foreign Nationals Left Gaza on Sunday (5:25 a.m.)
CNN reported that over 800 foreign nationals passed through the Rafah crossing into Egypt on Sunday, citing an unidentified Egyptian border official. It said this marked the largest number that has passed through the crossing in a single day since evacuations began.
Also on Sunday, Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on social media platform X: “We are relieved that 234 Canadians and their families were able to leave Gaza today.”
It’s unclear whether they were part of the same group reported by CNN.
US Launches Strikes on Iran-Linked Sites in Syria (1:22 a.m.)
The US struck a training facility and a safe house in eastern Syria in its latest airstrikes on Iran-linked targets since the Israel-Hamas war began, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
Austin, who is currently in South Korea, told a press briefing in Seoul on Monday that the US “will take all necessary measures to protect our troops.” The Pentagon said last week that there have been at least 41 attacks on American military personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17.
Biden Speaks With Qatar About Hostage Releases (10:59 p.m.)
President Joe Biden spoke with Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani about “the urgent ongoing efforts to secure additional releases.”
Biden “condemned unequivocally the holding of hostages by Hamas, including many young children, one of whom is a three-year old American citizen toddler, whose parents were killed by Hamas on October 7th,” the White House said.
They also talked about efforts to increase the continuous flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
Israeli President Cautious on Hostages (9:40 p.m.)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed caution about a possible release of hostages held by Hamas, saying “there is nothing substantial right now on the table” though “we are using all tools possible” to bring it about.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said what’s at stake “is the recovery of a significant number” of hostages through negotiations, with Qatar acting as a channel to Hamas. He said the talks were “delicate” and “high stakes.” Both spoke on CBS’s Face the Nation.
Israel’s Central Bank Requires Banks to Review Dividend Policy (7:25 p.m.)
Israel’s central bank is asking all lenders to review their dividend and stock buyback policy as economic circumstances are changing because of the war with Hamas.
“There has been an increase in credit risks, and credit losses are expected to increase significantly in the coming period,” the central bank’s inspector wrote in a letter.
The Bank of Israel is urging lenders to make sure they have sufficient capital cushions to deal with the various risks. They are requested to submit the results of their review by Nov. 15.
Thousands Protest Against Antisemitism in France (5:05 p.m.)
Tens of thousands gathered across large French cities on Sunday to protest against the rise of antisemitism. The largest protest was in Paris, with the participation of ministers, politicians from the left to the right, and celebrities.
President Emmanuel Macron said he would join the demonstrations in his “heart and in thoughts.” In a letter to the nation Macron condemned the “unbearable resurgence of unbridled antisemitism” and called for national unity.
Israel Says 15 Launches Identified From Lebanon Within an Hour (4:48 p.m.)
Israel says 15 launches were identified from Lebanon within an hour Sunday afternoon as cross-border skirmishes continue unabated. Four were intercepted and the remainder fell into open areas, the Israel Defense Forces said. Al Jazeera reported two rockets fired from south Lebanon toward upper Galilee in Israel.
Israel has responded with artillery fire toward the origins of the launches. Seven Israeli soldiers were lightly injured in the area of Manara as a result of mortar shell fire.
