As Israel enters a new, dangerous phase in its conflict with Hamas, The Algemeiner is rounding up developments in the region and around the world.

A man weeps during a ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of the Hamas invasion of Israel at the Grand Synagogue in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: Reuters/Yves Herman

‘Carry the Gun with You’: Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Issues Instructions For Shabbat Under Hamas Fire

Israel’s Chief Rabbinate on Thursday issued revised instructions for how Jews in Israel should observe Shabbat as Israel continues to face down Hamas terrorism.

“Anyone who has a gun…should carry the gun with you even on Shabbat,” the instructions say. “All instructions and recommendations of the Home Front Command must be strictly obeyed. When the instruction is to shut yourself in at home, do not leave the house at all, not even for prayer….Try to have at least one armed person in every synagogue.”

The Rabbinate also instructed believers to keep a telephone available at all times and to leave a radio running on Israel’s “quiet wave” alert system.

The alterations to some of the most fundamental aspects of Jewish religious life are a reflection of the profound threat that Israel continues to face from Hamas. Five days after the massacre of more than 1,200 people in Hamas’ invasion of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to find Hamas terrorists inside Israeli territory.

France Bans Pro-Hamas Demonstrations: Interior Minister

France’s Interior Minister has now announced a systematic ban on all pro-Palestinian demonstrations as the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza intensifies. Gérald Darmanin confirmed on Thursday afternoon that he had issued “strict instructions” to ban “pro-Palestinian demonstrations because they are likely to generate public order disturbances,” underlining that the “organization of these prohibited demonstrations should lead to arrests.” Earlier, Darmanin reported more than 100 outrages targeting French Jews since the massacre perpetrated last weekend by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel.

No Credible Threats to American Jewish Community: SCN

The primary homeland security monitoring network for the North American Jewish community on Thursday said that they are not aware of any credible threats to Jews in the United States in the wake of Saturday’s Hamas attack in Israel.

Speaking at a briefing with FBI Director Christopher Wray, Secure Community Network CEO Michael Masters said that despite statements from Hamas, American Jews should be resilient but unafraid.

“As of this time, we are not aware of any direct, credible threats against the Jewish community in the US,” Masters said. The Algemeiner’s Andrew Bernard has more.

Uncertainty Over Status of $6bn Transferred by US to Iran as Blinken Says, “We Retain the Right to Freeze” Funds

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday implicitly denied reports that the US and Qatar have frozen $6 billion in Iranian funds held in a Qatari bank.

“None of the funds that have now gone to Qatar have actually been spent or accessed in any way by Iran,” Blinken said. “We have strict oversight of the funds and we retain the right to freeze them.”

That statement contradicts a Washington Post report from earlier on Thursday that a Treasury Department official had informed Congressional Democrats that the US and Qatar had agreed to freeze the funds. Congressional Republicans and a growing number of House and Senate Democrats have urged President Joe Biden to formally freeze the money given to Iran as part of a prisoner exchange deal in September, amid concerns that Iran helped plan or supported Saturday’s Hamas massacre of more than 1,200 people in Israel.

Israeli Policemen Shot by Terrorist in Jerusalem

Two Israeli policeman have been wounded, one of them seriously, in a shooting attack near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City. According to the Israel Police, the terrorist who carried out the shooting was shot dead. United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Yoni Ben Shimol said: “Together with additional first responders I provided initial treatment to two policemen. At this stage, one of them is in serious condition and the other is in moderate to mild condition.”

US Antisemitism Envoy Condemns Colombian President’s Comparison of Israeli Military with “Nazis”

The US State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism has issued a forthright condemnation of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who on Sunday compared the Israeli military “Nazis” one day after Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, killing, kidnapping and raping civilians. In a tweet, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt said she was “shocked” by Petro’s comments.

https://twitter.com/StateSEAS/status/1712488175531085905

‘Sickening’: University of Florida President Ben Sasse Slams Higher Education’s Response to Hamas Atrocities

University of Florida president Ben Sasse on Wednesday issued a statement sharply condemning Hamas’ campaign of terror against the state of Israel and Israeli citizens.

“Too many people in elite academia have been so weakened by their moral confusion that, when they see videos of raped women, hear of a beheaded baby, or learn of a grandmother murdered in her home, the first reaction of some is to ‘provide context’ and try to blame the raped woman, beheaded baby, or the murdered grandmother.” The Algemeiner’s Dion J. Pierre has more.

German Jewish Soccer Club Cancels Matches and Training, Citing Security Fears Over Hamas Supporters

German Jewish soccer club TuS Makkabi Berlin has canceled its competitive games and suspended training sessions in the wake of the Hamas onslaught on Israel, citing security fears.

“Ultimately, if we are honest, this is an absolute defeat for Germany, an absolute defeat of our democratic system of values,” Alon Meyer, president of the Makkabi Germany Association, told the FAZ news outlet. “The fact that we can no longer maintain safe games and training operations at a Jewish club due to an escalation in the Middle East is an absolute defeat for all of us.”

Meyer also called on the German authorities to clamp down on supporters of Hamas, so “that we do not continue to support these organizations, institutions and associations that have nothing better to do than celebrate these inhumanities with taxpayers’ money.” He said as well that many Jewish sports clubs in Germany had been impacted by the war: “I know of a lot of club members who have to fly back to Israel, including those who have just finished their military service in Israel and are now returning.”

French Justice Minister Urges “Strict, Swift” Prosecution of Antisemitic Offenders

France’s Minister of Justice has urged the swift prosecution of offenders charged with antisemitic acts, as the country’s Interior Minister reported more than 100 outrages targeting French Jews since the massacre perpetrated last weekend by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel. Éric Dupond-Moretti  said he was “asking the public prosecutor’s offices to be strict and swift… Antisemitism is not an opinion, it’s an offense. Apology for terrorism is an offense punishable by 5 years’ imprisonment, and 7 years when it receives a certain level of exposure.” The Algemeiner’s Ben Cohen has more.

Top US Diplomat Says 25 Americans Killed in Hamas Massacre

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Thursday that at least 25 Americans were killed in Hamas’ brutal invasion of Israel last weekend.

“Tragically, the number of innocent lives claimed by Hamas as heinous attacks continues to rise. Among those, we now know that at least 25 American citizens were killed,” Blinken said at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.

‘I’m Heartbroken, Angry and Sickened:’ Dozens More Celebrities Comment on Israel-Hamas War

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Usher, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are just a few of the celebrities who have taken to social media to post about the war between Israel and Hamas. They all condemn the “horrendous” terrorist attacks being carried out by Hamas and some even shame other social media users for staying “chillingly silent” about the violence. ” The Algemeiner’s Shiryn Ghermezian has more.

Blinken Visits Israel, Says US Will ‘Always Be there’ for Jewish State

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel on Thursday as the Jewish state continued striking Hamas targets in Gaza following the Palestinian terror group’s invasion that killed more than 1,200 Israelis.

“You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself. But as long as America exists, you will never ever have to. We will always be there by your side,” Blinken told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint conference.

I’m in Israel today to make one thing clear: The United States stands with Israel and its people, and we will always stand — resolutely — against terrorism. pic.twitter.com/25KCfkjp3S

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 12, 2023

Netanyahu called Blinken’s visit a show of “unequivocal support” for Israel in its war against Hamas.

According to reports, Blinken will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday.

Satirical series starring Sean Penn About War Hostages Gets Delayed

A satirical television series starring Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn about four Australian soldiers taken hostage by “freedom fighters” in a war-torn country has been pushed back until further notice, and will not make its debut next week at Mipcom, an international television conference in Cannes, France. The show’s distributor said the decision was made to not present the show at Mipcom “in light of the current situation unfolding in Israel” and added, “at this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.” The Algemeiner’s Shiryn Ghermezian has more.

Israeli Military Says Hamas Raised ISIS Flag During Terror Onslaught

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday said that Hamas brought an ISIS flag into Israel on Saturday when the Palestinian terrorist group invaded the Jewish state.

“Hamas brought ISIS flags to massacre Israeli children, women and men,” the IDF wrote on X/Twitter. “Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization. Hamas is worse than ISIS.”

Hamas brought ISIS flags to massacre Israeli children, women and men.

Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organization.

Hamas is worse than ISIS pic.twitter.com/j3BagCudor

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 12, 2023

It was unclear from the IDF post where the ISIS flag was located. However, some Israeli journalists said the flag was hung at a kibbutz targeted by Hamas.

Hamas is ISIS: An ISIS flag was found among the possessions of Hamas terrorists who stormed Kibbutz Sufa. pic.twitter.com/pkXYcJuYOD

— Ariel Oseran (@ariel_oseran) October 12, 2023

In its invasion, Hamas murdered over 1,200 Israelis and took dozens more hostage back to Gaza.

To catch up on the events of the Israel-Hamas war from Wednesday, click here.