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Two American Judges Witnessed the Devastation of October 7 Firsthand in Israel

Judges Altman (left) and Scola (right). Photo: Ayelet Raymond.

During a recent discussion in Florida, two judges delved into International Humanitarian Law and the laws of war from an Israeli perspective, focusing specifically on the October 7 Hamas massacre.

Judge Roy Altman, the youngest District Court judge ever appointed in the Southern District of Florida, and Senior Judge Robert Scola of the Florida Southern District Court, reflected on an educational trip to Israel that included 14 Federal judges. They also discussed the personal impact of witnessing the aftermath of the October 7th massacre, focusing on the historical significance and the power of human resilience.

Judge Altman shared his personal experiences witnessing the tragedy at Kibbutz Be’eri, located three kilometers from the Gaza border. Over 120 homes were damaged or destroyed, resulting in approximately 100 lives lost, and 40 hostages taken from their homes into Gaza. The community had been known for its progressive beliefs in fostering peace by aiding Palestinians through initiatives like offering employment opportunities and medical assistance.

During their visit to Israel, the judges also honored the victims of the Nova festival massacre, and saw the devastation of the attack firsthand. Judge Altman shared a poignant moment when a grieving mother, overwhelmed by inconsolable sorrow for her lost son, was gently guided away from a memorial mound by her family members.

Amid the sorrow and grief, the judges were uplifted by a group of 50 women who were singing Hatikvah arm in arm. They invited them to join.

Judge Altman said, “In the spot where more Jews were butchered than at any other place on Earth since the Holocaust, these women had left whatever they were doing that day and driven two hours on a bus to the South to sing not of vengeance or vindictiveness or hatred, but of hope — hope for each other, hope for the country, hope for the land for which they and their ancestors had fought for thousands of years. A people who are deserving of our love, our admiration, and our support.”

Judge Scola, who is not Jewish, expressed his gratitude for his first visit to Israel, highlighting the warm reception from Israelis towards US government officials. He was also impressed by the unity and resilience of the Jewish people.

“Whether in the Diaspora or in Israel, when faced with an existential external threat, Israelis from all political persuasions — left, right, and center — understand the importance of setting aside their political divisions and focusing on their survival,” Scola shared.

Judge Scola viewed a 47-minute video of the Hamas massacre that left him deeply traumatized. He said that it “was the longest 47 minutes of my life.” The horror of inhumanity and the evident joy displayed by the terrorists while mercilessly slaughtering innocent civilians left a lasting impression on him.

Reflecting on their trip honoring the memory of all the October 7 victims, survivors, and their families, the judges said that it served as a testament to recognizing the resilience and spirit of the Israeli people in the face of adversity, and that they were proud to stand with the Israeli people.

Ayelet Raymond is an Israel activist, and the creative force behind the @Kosher Barbie character and social media personality.

The post Two American Judges Witnessed the Devastation of October 7 Firsthand in Israel first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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Israel Receives Shipment of Heavy Bombs Cleared by Trump

US President Donald Trump looks on as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, Jan. 31, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States, after US President Donald Trump lifted a block imposed on the export of the munitions by the administration of predecessor Joe Biden, the defense ministry said on Sunday.

The MK-84 is an unguided 2,000 pound bomb, which can rip through thick concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius.

The Biden administration declined to clear them for export to Israel out of concern about the impact on densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip.

The Biden administration sent thousands of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas terrorists from Gaza but later held up one of the shipments. The hold was lifted by Trump last month.

“The munitions shipment that arrived in Israel tonight, released by the Trump Administration, represents a significant asset for the Air Force and the IDF and serves as further evidence of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said late on Saturday.

The shipment arrived after days of concern about whether a fragile ceasefire in Gaza agreed last month would hold, after both sides accused each other of violating the terms of the deal to halt fighting to allow the exchange of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails.

Washington has announced assistance for Israel worth billions of dollars since the war began.

The post Israel Receives Shipment of Heavy Bombs Cleared by Trump first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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US Mideast Envoy Says Phase Two Gaza Talks to Continue This Week

US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy-designate Steve Witkoff gives a speech at the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena on the inauguration day of Trump’s second presidential term, in Washington, DC, Jan. 20, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday that talks on phase two of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian terrorists Hamas would continue this week “at a location to be determined” to figure out how to reach a successful conclusion.

He told Fox News that he had “very productive and constructive” calls on Sunday with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s director of intelligence.

Witkoff said they spoke about “the sequencing of phase two, setting forth positions on both sides, so we can understand… where we are today, and then continuing talks this week at a location to be determined so that we can figure out how we get to the end of phase two successfully.”

The post US Mideast Envoy Says Phase Two Gaza Talks to Continue This Week first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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Arab States to Reveal 5-Year Plan to Rebuild Gaza: No Hamas or Relocation

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attends the Arab summit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, May 31, 2019. Photo: REUTERS/Hamad l Mohammed/File Photo.

i24 NewsArab countries will unveil their plan for the reconstruction of Gaza on February 27 in Cairo. This initiative, developed by the Palestinians and handed over to the Egyptians for implementation, will be presented to the leaders of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The plan provides for reconstruction over three to five years, without the displacement of the Palestinian population and without Hamas control. The funding, estimated at several hundred million dollars, will come from Gulf countries. The work will be carried out by Egyptian companies, representing a significant source of income for Egypt, which is strongly opposed to any migration of Palestinians out of Gaza. The workforce will consist mainly of local Palestinians.

“The goal is to marginalize Hamas so that it understands that it has lost control of Gaza, and to completely eliminate the terrorist organization’s grip on the population and the territory within 5 years from the start of reconstruction,” a source involved in the plan said.

An independent “Palestinian administration,” separate from the Palestinian Authority but relying on it, will oversee the reconstruction. This power structure is designed to get the approval of Israel and the United States, who refuse direct management by the Palestinian Authority.

Arab countries fear a resurgence of fighting by Israel, which could, in their view, favor US President Donald Trump’s plan to move Palestinians to neighboring countries. The former US president said he wanted to see Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab countries welcome more displaced people from Gaza, so that the war-torn area can be “cleaned up.”

According to analyzed satellite images, approximately 65% of the buildings in Gaza have been destroyed during the war. Experts estimate that reconstruction could take more than a decade and cost several hundred billion dollars.

The post Arab States to Reveal 5-Year Plan to Rebuild Gaza: No Hamas or Relocation first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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