According to Israel's defense minister, "Gaza is burning," as the military launches an intense new operation. News outlets describe the assault as Israel "burning the ground" in the city, signaling a significant escalation in the conflict that began after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. This long-threatened ground invasion follows a period of relentless Israeli air strikes on the area.

The Israeli military's push aims to take over and occupy Gaza City. As troops began their ground incursion, reports confirmed that this operation is a major part of the ongoing Gaza war. Civilians have been seen fleeing the city as the offensive gets underway, creating a desperate situation for the local population. The military action represents a determined effort by Israeli forces to advance deep into the Palestinian territory.

International reactions have been swift and pointed. Hamas has stated that the United States bears "full responsibility" for the consequences of the invasion, accusing it of enabling "crimes, which have violated all laws." Meanwhile, the US president has issued warnings to Hamas against using Israeli captives as "human shields" during the offensive. Adding to the international pressure, a UN report has been released that alleges genocide is taking place.

The human cost of the escalating conflict is stark. The ground operation is unfolding in what is described as a "famine-stricken" Palestinian territory, compounding the crisis for residents. The United Nations has voiced its concerns over the offensive, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation as Palestinians are forced to flee the intensifying violence in Gaza City.

Partnership

I use ProtonVPN with Proton Unlimited to secure my digital footprint. With no-logs policy, end-to-end encryption, and Swiss privacy, it keeps me safe online.

Benefits I love:

• Proton Sentinel: AI-powered protection against suspicious logins.
• Fast, Global Access: 12,000+ servers in 120+ countries for seamless streaming.
• NetShield: Blocks ads and malware.
• All-in-One: Includes Proton Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass with 500GB storage.

Trust ProtonVPN like I do!

Learn more

Other News

The world is holding its breath as a convergence of crises unfolds both at home and abroad. In the United States, the assassination of a major political figure has sent shockwaves through the nation, fueling intense partisan battles and raising urgent questions about security and rhetoric. Simultaneously, international tensions are escalating, with a major Israeli offensive in Gaza, growing friction in the Pacific, and a potential U.S. government shutdown threatening to compound the instability. Here’s a look at the key developments shaping our volatile world.

The Aftermath of an Assassination: The Charlie Kirk Case

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has ignited a political and legal firestorm.

• The Investigation: The FBI has expanded its investigation to include "a lot more" than 20 individuals who were in Discord chats with the accused assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that texts showed Robinson’s intent to kill Kirk, citing "hatred that cannot be negotiated with." Utah prosecutors are seeking the death penalty on charges of aggravated murder. The investigation has also highlighted significant security lapses at the event, where only six university officers were assigned.
• The Political Fallout: The response in Washington has been swift and deeply divided. House Speaker Mike Johnson led a vigil for Kirk, while Republicans Nancy Mace and Buddy Carter introduced resolutions to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar from her committee assignments over comments she made following the assassination. VP JD Vance condemned those celebrating the violence, stating there can be "no unity" with individuals who justify such acts. Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed to take action against violent threats, clarifying that hate speech that escalates to threats is not protected by the First Amendment.
• Societal Response: In the wake of the killing, the Charlie Kirk Data Foundation has begun crowdsourcing a database of over 60,000 social media users who allegedly celebrated Kirk's death, raising free speech concerns. In a separate incident, Texas Tech student Camryn Giselle Booker was arrested and expelled after being filmed mocking a vigil for Kirk.

Washington on Edge: Shutdown Looms as Trump's Agenda Moves Forward

Political tensions are running high in Washington as President Trump's administration pursues its agenda amidst a looming government shutdown and legal battles.

• Government Shutdown Showdown: Republicans have proposed a 50-day stopgap spending bill to avert a shutdown, including a funding increase for lawmaker security. However, top Democrats have rejected the "partisan" offer, escalating the risk of a shutdown by October 1st.
• Trump's Executive Actions: President Trump has ordered the National Guard to Memphis to crack down on crime, a move mirroring federal actions in D.C. He also announced a deal for a U.S.-owned TikTok is imminent and has proposed that public companies report earnings semi-annually instead of quarterly to promote long-term focus. The White House is also seeking an additional $58 million from Congress for executive and judicial branch security following Kirk's assassination and prior attempts on Trump's life.
• Battle Over the Federal Reserve: The Fed's independence is under scrutiny. An appeals court blocked President Trump's attempt to fire Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud, a landmark ruling seen as upholding the central bank's autonomy. Meanwhile, Trump loyalist Stephen Miran was confirmed as a new Fed governor just before a key meeting where a rate cut is anticipated.

Global Hotspots: Israel's Gaza Offensive and Rising Geopolitical Tensions

The international stage is fraught with conflict, from the Middle East to the Pacific.

• Israel-Gaza Conflict Intensifies: Israel has launched a major ground offensive in Gaza City targeting Hamas, prompting condemnation from the UN, EU, and UK over humanitarian concerns. The move has terrified hostage families, who are protesting outside Prime Minister Netanyahu's residence, accusing him of sacrificing their loved ones. A UN report has accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza, a charge Israel vehemently rejects as "distorted and false." The conflict has been complicated by a failed Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, which derailed ceasefire talks and drew international criticism. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Hamas has a "very short window" to accept a ceasefire deal.
• U.S.-China Tensions: The U.S. and its allies are pushing back against Chinese influence. Palau has declared itself "at war" with China over economic coercion, seeking a greater U.S. presence. In a show of force, the U.S. deployed the Typhon missile system to Japan for the first time, drawing a sharp rebuke from Beijing. A U.S. destroyer and a U.K. frigate also conducted a transit of the Taiwan Strait.
• Ukraine's Struggle and Russia's Drills: With U.S. support wavering, Ukraine is ramping up domestic arms production to achieve self-sufficiency, though it faces critical shortages in air defense. Meanwhile, Russia is conducting massive "Zapad" military drills near NATO's border with 100,000 troops, joined by allies including India and Iran, raising alerts across Europe.

Defense & Technology Roundup

Nations around the globe are advancing their military and technological capabilities at a rapid pace.

• U.S. Military Advances: A U.S. Air Force F-22 set a record for the longest-known air-to-air missile shot using an RTX Raytheon AMRAAM. Northrop Grumman's new Cygnus XL spacecraft set a cargo record for the heaviest commercial resupply mission to the ISS.
• Global Defense Innovation: Turkey has inducted its 4th T-70 helicopter, while HAVELSAN and Yonca Shipyard's new SANCAR armed unmanned surface vessel (USV) completed live-fire trials. In Europe, Rheinmetall unveiled its advanced MASS nova ship protection system, and ARX Robotics revealed a new combat robot designed with feedback from the Ukrainian front lines.
• Strategic Investments: Australia is investing A$12bn in its Henderson Defence Precinct to support the AUKUS partnership and naval shipbuilding. In a bid to boost its own defense tech, Israel is offering NIS 200M in state guarantees for two new venture capital funds. Meanwhile, top South Korean shipbuilders are partnering with the Pentagon to help revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

Today's VA Mortgage Rates

30-Year Fixed VA Loan:

• Veterans United Home Loans: 5.375% (down from last week's 5.375%)
• Navy Federal Credit Union: 5.250%
• Pennymac: 5.490% (APR 5.880%)
• Bankrate (National Average for Refinance): 8.08% (down from last week's 8.09%)

15-Year Fixed VA Loan:

• Navy Federal Credit Union: 4.750% (APR 5.431%)
• Pennymac: 5.375% (APR 6.005%)

20-Year Fixed VA Loan:

• Pennymac: 5.490% (APR 6.014%)

Other Rates:

• CalVet: Interest rates as low as 5.25%

If you enjoy my content, please follow me on Social Media and consider sharing this content with your friends! Thank you so much for reading today's article!

𝕏 / Threads / Facebook / Instagram

Views are solely those of That Smoke Pit Veteran, not reflecting the U.S. Government or Defense / War Department's stance, policies, or endorsements. Content is for informational & entertainment purposes only, not affiliated with or endorsed by any government.