Today in History (October 16th, 1793)
Marie-Antoinette, the queen consort of Louis XVI of France, was indeed a prominent figure during the French Revolution. She was often a target of criticism from the revolutionaries due to her extravagant lifestyle and perceived role in the political instability of the French monarchy. Her involvement in various court intrigues and her Austrian origin also made her a subject of suspicion. On October 16, 1793, she was executed by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris.
Summary of Today’s News
Israel readies for attack as a million people evacuate.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “demolish Hamas” in retaliation for attacks by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip that occurred eight days prior, resulting in significant casualties. Israel resumed water supply to southern Gaza, following talks between Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden, after a week of stopping the water supply as part of a “complete siege” on the Palestinian enclave.
The Israel Hamas conflict and Nusseibeh’s analysis
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighting several key points. It underscores a critical intelligence failure on the part of Israel and the United States, emphasizing how Hamas’s surprise attack boosted their morale. The impact on the Palestinian Authority is also discussed, with Hamas potentially gaining more support in the West Bank. The text acknowledges the heavy toll on innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza, who bear the brunt of the leaders’ decisions.
The world needs to stop taking water for granted
The theme for this year’s World Food Day, “Water is Life, Water is Food,” underscores the essential role of water in food production and the pressing need for responsible water management. Decades of inadequate water management, misuse, pollution, and the climate crisis have led to the degradation of freshwater resources and ecosystems.
Israel, Hamas, and the laws of war.
The article discusses the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. It emphasizes that IHL regulates both when countries can use force in international relations (jus ad bellum) and how wars are to be fought (jus in bello). The Israel-Hamas conflict falls under non-international armed conflict (NIAC) as per Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
