The Israel-Hamas cease-fire was extended yet again, with Hamas agreeing to release more hostages as part of the extension.
Not long after the extension was made public, three people were shot dead at a bus station near Israel, with 11 others being wounded.
According to the Israeli police, the shooting was carried out by Hamas terrorists.
Early Thursday morning, it was announced that yet another extension of the cease-fire was negotiated between Israel and Hamas by Qatar.
The extension was announced after Hamas announced that it would release another 16 hostages in exchange for 30 Palestinians that Israel was holding.
The new deal was announced as Secretary Blinken arrived in Israel, presumably to push for a permanent cease-fire, as Joe Biden has been facing significant pressure from the left to have this war ended.
Biden has also made some somewhat questionable statements on this issue, with many believing he is now wavering under that pressure.
For instance, Biden posted on X:
"Hamas unleashed a terrorist attack because they fear nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace.
"To continue down the path of terror, violence, killing, and war is to give Hamas what they seek. We can't do that."
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) was among the first to call Biden out, stating:
"It took Biden only a few weeks after the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust to turn on Israel and compare Israel's actions to terror."
While Israel seems open to negotiating a longer cease-fire, PM Netanyahu made it quite clear that there will be no more negotiations on Sunday.
The new cease-fire deal had barely been in place when reports surfaced of a massacre at the hands of Hamas at a bus station near Jerusalem.
According to local officials, Hamas operatives opened fire on civilians at the station, killing three and wounding 11 others.
One of the victims at the station was a 73-year-old Rabbi.
Both shooters were shot and killed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), with another civilian being shot and killed during the firefight.
A Jerusalem District Police spokesperson stated:
"The initial investigation indicates that the terrorists arrived to the scene by car in the morning, armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun.
"At a certain point, the terrorists began shooting at civilians before subsequently being killed at the scene. A police search of the terrorists' car revealed ammunition and weaponry."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew condemned the attack with a post on X…
Abhorrent terrorist attack in Jerusalem this morning. We unequivocally condemn such brutal violence. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and I offer my sincere condolences to all those affected.
— Ambassador Jack Lew (@USAmbIsrael) November 30, 2023
In addition to this attack, the IDF reported that an Israeli checkpoint was attacked, located adjacent to Moshav Beka'ot in the Jordan Valley area.
According to the IDF, the suspect tried to ram the checkpoint, but he was shot and neutralized.
I doubt anyone was surprised by Hamas violating the cease-fire, but what is surprising is that Netanyahu has managed to stay calm and continues to abide by it.
He clearly sees the big picture and the pressure that Biden is under, so I would suspect that is why Israel made the statement that once Sunday comes, there will be no more cease-fires.
The truly interesting aspect of this entire report is how Biden now appears to be leaning more toward a permanent cease-fire rather than a temporary one.
Biden has put himself into a no-win situation by caving to the far left on too many occasions.
If Biden crosses Israel on this, he will lose the support of the Jewish community in this country as well as moderates and Democrats who largely support Israel.
If he supports Israel continuing the war, he loses the support of the far left as well as certain members of Congress who have made it clear they support Palestine over Israel.
Regardless of where Biden stands, he will lose significant support as we head into the final stretch of the 2024 election cycle.
