FBI warns of increased terror threats in the US; Feds arrest student for antisemitic death threats

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Good morning,

We hope you had a wonderful Halloween! Here’s a glimpse at Baby Olivia’s TV news debut last night.

🍁 With Halloween in the rearview mirror, some of us are now getting ready to begin our holiday shopping and start pumping this seasonal classic.

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Mosheh, Jill, & Lauren

🗞 HAMAS-ISRAEL WAR ENTERS DAY 26

IDF STRIKES NORTH GAZA
The Israeli military took responsibility for an airstrike inside the Jabalya Refugee Camp in northern Gaza on Tuesday. They claim it took out Ibrahim Biari, a top Hamas commander who was one of the leaders of the October 7 attack. They said he was hiding among civilians.

The IDF said "a large number of terrorists" were killed in the strike, which also led to the collapse of the underground infrastructure they were using.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said dozens of people were killed.
Photos from the scene showed large craters and widespread damage, with bodies covered by white sheets.

THE FALLOUT: The attack is sparking even more anger against Israel, particularly in the Arab world.
- The Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi Arabian and Qatari foreign ministries have issued statements condemning the strikes.
One reporter from CNN said witnesses told him that there were kids carrying injured kids.
IN RESPONSE: Israel says they had warned civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south for the past two weeks.
- They said they struck in between two buildings in an effort to kill Hamas terrorists in the tunnels below, and that nearby buildings collapsed because of the Hamas tunnels had weakened the foundations. They accuse Hamas of war crimes for basing their fighters and rocket launchers amongst civilians. (Arab nations are accusing Israel of war crimes for hitting the camp).
- They’ve also pushed back on claims that a large number of children and women were killed.
MORE ON THE CAMP: The Jabalya refugee camp, founded in the late 1940s and now a large, dense urban neighborhood with buildings, is located in northern Gaza and is the largest of the Gaza Strip's eight refugee camps. It had a pre-war population of about 40,000—including the 4th and 5th generation families of the original refugees from the 1948 war.

GROUND INVASION?
Israeli ground forces continue to push into Gaza, as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a ceasefire.

They are calling it the second phase in this war— not a full "ground invasion," but an "expanded operation.”

THE HOSTAGES
The Israeli military said 240 people had been taken hostage during the Hamas attack. Just four have been released; one has been rescued.

We got an update from Hamas yesterday, saying they are considering a release of all foreign hostages, which make up just over half, from 40 different countries.
It’s unclear whether it’s just foreigners, or people who hold dual passports (including Israeli passports).

CRISIS IN GAZA
At least 66 trucks crossed the border into Gaza yesterday — the highest single-day delivery of aid to the area so far, according to the White House.

Israel has agreed to allow 100 trucks of food and medical supplies to cross daily — the prewar average was 450 trucks per day.
The Rafah border crossing will open today for a few dozen Palestinians who were injured in Gaza to complete their treatment in Egyptian hospitals, Egyptian medical and security sources as well as a Palestinian border official said.
- Egypt is still not opening the border for Palestinian civilians.
UNICEF officials said that “more than 420 children are being killed or injured in Gaza every day.”

TERROR THREATS IN THE US
Meanwhile, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that Hamas' actions in the Middle East could inspire other terrorist attacks, including by violent extremists in the U.S.

Wray told the Senate Homeland Security committee— "We assess that the actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate years ago.”
The FBI has "multiple, ongoing investigations" into people affiliated with Hamas.
CORNELL UPDATE: A 21-year-old junior was arrested Tuesday for making online threats to Jewish students.
- Patrick Dai was charged with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications.

SHOW ME THE MONEY
US military and diplomatic leaders are urging a divided Congress to send aid to both Israel and Ukraine. During the hearings, protesters interrupted, calling for a ceasefire.

The House GOP released a $14.3 billion standalone measure for Israeli aid.
Biden proposed a $106 billion aid package two weeks ago, which included $14 billion for Israel and $61 billion related to Ukraine

⏳ SPEED READ

🚨NATION

📌 Senate confirms Jack Lew as U.S. ambassador to Israel as war rages in Middle East (NBC NEWS)

📌 Raging fire in California forces thousands from their homes (NY TIMES)

📌 White House rolls out proposal to protect retirement security (NBC NEWS)

📌 Grand Canyon University fined $37.7M for deceiving students about cost of doctoral degrees (USA TODAY)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

📌 Israel shot down a ballistic missile fired from Yemen, U.S. officials say (NBC NEWS)

📌 King Charles expresses "deepest regret" for Kenya colonial wrongdoings (REUTERS)

📌 China facing a deep population decline (TIME)

📌 Saudi Arabia set to host 2034 World Cup after Australia backs out (CNBC)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

📌 US consumers feeling slightly less confident in October for 3rd straight month (AP)

📌 Biden administration approves biggest offshore wind farm yet, in Virginia (NY TIMES)

📌 Scientists start returning rescued corals after deadly Florida heat wave (AXIOS)

📌 Treasury Department announces new Series I bond rate of 5.27% for the next six months (CNBC)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

📌 From inventing the huddle to trying a new helmet, Gallaudet is home to a proud football tradition (AP)

📌 James Harden trade grades: Clippers finally land former MVP (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED)

📌 Robert De Niro lashes out and takes stand to deny former assistant's gender discrimination claim (BBC)

📌 Future queen of Spain Princess Leonor rings in 18th birthday with tradition — and a symbolic new necklace (PEOPLE)

🗓 ON THIS DAY: NOVEMBER 1

1512: The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, painted by Italian artist Michelangelo, is exhibited to the public for the first time.
1946: The first NBA game featured the New York Knickerbockers defeating the Toronto Huskies, 68-66.
1993: The European Union was officially established; it called for a strengthened European parliament, the creation of a central European bank, and common foreign and security policies.
1997: James Cameron’s Titanic, a drama about the doomed ocean liner, had its first public screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
- The movie would become one of the highest grossing of all time, and it made Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet international stars.