Israel Launches All-Out Offensive on Gaza City.
Israel Yet Again Trying to Defeat Hamas.
Defence Minister Israel Katz says "Gaza is burning" as the IDF attacks Gaza City from the land and the air. Overnight, massive airstrikes were launched upon the city, if you can call it that. Much of the city is now in ruins, and what's left is being pummeled to smithereens. Israel is launching a final push to defeat Hamas once and for all. Gaza City dwellers are being forced south to so-called humanitarian areas. These areas are already overcrowded, and sending more folk there will make things go from bad to worse.
Civilians are already paying a high price in death and destruction. Israel, though you do not hear about it, is paying and has paid a high price in fallen military personnel. The war must be bankrupting the country. Netanyahu says this is the final phase of the war, but he is a liar. As long as he can keep the war going, he is immune from prosecution. So it's in his interest to keep the conflict going. Israel bombed the so-called Hamas peace group, talking about the latest peace plan. The Israeli attack on Doha, Qatar, killed several Hamas leaders and a Qatari intelligence official. This peace plan is now dead and buried, as Qatar was one of the countries trying to bring the conflict to an end. How much the Americans knew about it is open to question. Why the Qatari air defences and air force did not counter these attacks is open to question. Qatar hosts a huge American base, so don't tell me the base was not aware of the attack.
Did the Americans tell the Qataris to stand down any defensive moves? It wouldn't surprise me in the least!!!
The American Foreign Affairs person, Marco Rubio, flew into Jerusalem to meet with Netanyahu. Mr. Rubio said he had differences with Netanyahu over the attack on Doha, but the US still stood shoulder to shoulder with Israel. How that makes Qatar feel is unknown, as Qatar is supposedly a strong supporter of America. But Qatar always knew that when it comes to important matters, America will always choose Israel. Qatar and other Arab Allies of the US will always be playing second fiddle to America's first love - Israel.
The US could stop Israel in its tracks tomorrow if it chose to. But it doesn't because it allows Israel to get away with things that no nation on Earth is allowed to do. One could speculate as to why, but it's a waste of time. For whatever reason, the US and the West in general back Israel. Some Western nations, like Spain, are taking a stand. But by and large, the West backs the Jewish state.
The fact that Israel attacked a Hamas stronghold in Qatar shows Israel does not want peace. Israel has said it will go after its enemies no matter who they are or where they are. Israel has silenced and degraded Hezbollah. Israel has seen the downfall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Israel and Iran exchanged blows, and who came out the better is hard to say. Israel exchanges blows with the Houthis, even taking out the Houthis' prime minister and cabinet. However, since Hamas launched its awful attack on Israel, Israel has failed to achieve its two ultimate goals. To defeat Hamas and get all of the hostages home, dead or alive.
What makes Israel think it can defeat Hamas now in its latest offensive? Hamas has paid a high price, losing leaders, fighters, etc. Hamas' ability to get weapons through to its fighters is limited now that Israel controls the Gaza-Egyptian border. How many Hamas tunnels are left? How many Hamas underground workshops producing weapons have been put out of action? Can Hamas keep recruiting Gazans when the population is trying to survive?
Despite all of the above, Hamas continues, along with other Gaza groups, to resist Israel. If, after this, the Gaza City operation is wrapped up and Hamas remains a threat, Israel has wasted its time. Unless Israel does indeed defeat Hamas, this war in Gaza is like the Vietnam War, the recent Afghan War, unwinnable.
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About the Creator
Nicholas Bishop
I am a freelance writer currently writing for Blasting News and HubPages. I mainly write about politics. But have and will cover all subjects when the need arises.
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Richard Burgon: TUC Meeting.
Richard Burgon was a minister in Jeremy Corbyn's opposition cabinet. Had Mr. Corbyn won the 2015 general election or even the 2019 one, he would have been in power. This would have enabled him and his Boss, Corbyn, to enact the policies they promised. However, victory for the Corbyn government in waiting did not transpire. In both cases, Theresa May hung on by a finger in power. In 2019, Boris won a landslide, literally blowing Corbyn away politically speaking.
By Nicholas Bishop4 months ago in The Swamp
“Pray With the Pope”: A Living Network of Communion in a Divided World
In a world increasingly shaped by conflict, polarisation, and digital noise, the simple invitation to pray together may seem almost radical. Yet that is precisely what “Pray with the Pope” represents — a global initiative that has grown into a real network of spiritual communion, uniting millions of people across continents in moments of shared reflection, hope, and intention. At a time when societies feel fragmented and trust in institutions is eroding, this movement offers something profoundly countercultural: silence instead of shouting, unity instead of division, and prayer instead of performance. What Does “Pray With the Pope” Mean? “Pray with the Pope” is not a slogan or a marketing campaign. It is an open invitation issued through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, encouraging people to join the Pope each month in prayer for specific global intentions — ranging from peace and justice to climate responsibility, migration, families, and the dignity of human life. These intentions are shared publicly, often accompanied by short reflections or videos, but the heart of the movement lies elsewhere: in private homes, churches, hospital rooms, classrooms, refugee camps, and quiet corners where individuals pause to pray at the same time, for the same purpose. This shared rhythm transforms prayer into a collective act of solidarity. A Network Without Borders Unlike traditional institutions, this network has no headquarters filled with people checking attendance or enforcing participation. Its strength lies in its invisibility. Participants come from every continent. Some are lifelong Catholics, others are new to faith, and many do not even belong formally to the Church. What connects them is not ideology but intention — the desire to lift the world’s wounds into a space of hope. In a divided world marked by war, political polarisation, and social fragmentation, “Pray with the Pope” functions as a quiet counter-network — one that refuses to mirror the world’s fractures. Prayer as a Response to Global Division Pope Francis has consistently framed prayer not as an escape from reality, but as a way of entering more deeply into it. His monthly intentions often focus on the most painful issues of our time: armed conflict, poverty, environmental degradation, loneliness, and the suffering of migrants. Critics sometimes dismiss prayer as passive. But for participants, praying together becomes an act of moral attention — a refusal to look away. In this sense, the movement challenges the idea that change only happens through loud action. It suggests that interior transformation is also a force — one capable of shaping compassion, responsibility, and long-term commitment. Digital Faith in a Disconnected Age Ironically, the network thrives through digital tools. Social media, mobile apps, and online videos allow people separated by oceans and cultures to feel part of a shared moment. Yet unlike most online spaces, this one does not thrive on outrage or instant reaction. Instead, it invites slowness. A person in Manila may pray at sunrise, while someone in São Paulo joins hours later. The time zones differ, but the intention remains the same. In a culture of constant updates, this rhythm introduces a sense of sacred continuity. Beyond Religion: A Human Language Although rooted in Catholic tradition, “Pray with the Pope” speaks a language that goes beyond doctrine. Its themes — peace, care for the Earth, dignity, reconciliation — resonate with universal human concerns. This inclusiveness matters. In a world where religion is often portrayed as a source of division, this initiative demonstrates another possibility: faith as a bridge rather than a boundary. Many participants describe feeling connected not only to God, but to one another — even to people they will never meet. Communion in a Time of Crisis The concept of “communion” has deep theological roots, but here it takes on a modern meaning. Communion is not uniformity. It does not require agreement on everything. It means choosing connection despite difference. As wars continue, climate anxiety grows, and social trust weakens, the idea of a spiritual network committed to shared concern becomes increasingly relevant. “Pray with the Pope” does not promise quick solutions. Instead, it cultivates something slower and arguably more durable: empathy. A Quiet Form of Resistance In a world driven by speed, productivity, and visible results, taking time to pray can feel almost rebellious. This movement resists the pressure to constantly react. It resists the idea that only those with power or platforms matter. It reminds participants that even unseen acts — when multiplied — can shape the moral climate of the world. In that sense, “Pray with the Pope” is not just spiritual. It is deeply human. Why It Matters Today The world does not lack opinions. It lacks listening. It does not lack information. It lacks wisdom. By inviting people into shared silence and intention, this global prayer network offers a different way of being present to the world’s pain — one that neither denies reality nor becomes consumed by it. In a divided world, communion itself becomes a message. Final Reflection “Pray with the Pope” reminds us that unity does not always arrive through agreement, and change does not always begin with noise. Sometimes, it begins with millions of ordinary people pausing — wherever they are — to hold the same fragile hope. In that shared pause, a divided world finds a moment of communion.
By Muhammad Hassan4 days ago in The Swamp
Center Stage with Gina C.
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler5 days ago in Interview
Comments (1)
Killing Children and Older, more and more young people will rebel againts Israel. This war has no end. I has to be stopped. US funding to Israel must be stopped. Israel is going to squeeze the last drop of US tax payers money and because of this the war has potential to last a decade and more, thousands more innocent will die. We live in a cruel world!