Vance Blasts Critics Of Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan As “Living In A Fantasy Land”

Tyler Durden
Sat, 11/22/2025 – 13:25

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/vance-blasts-critics-trump-ukraine-peace-plan-living-fantasy-land 

NEW YORK — There was a time when presidential hopefuls played coy about their ambitions, crisscrossing the country under the guise of helping other candidates and deflecting when pushed on their obvious plans.

Not so for some Democrats considering running in 2028. With no clear party leader and Democratic voters raring for a fight, some could-be candidates are being far more transparent about their intentions, doing away with pretensions as they try to gain maximum visibility at a time when authenticity is in high demand.

“Of course I’m thinking about it. I haven’t ruled it out,” New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker recently told Fox News during a trip to early-voting New Hampshire, even as he stressed that his focus is on 2026, when he will be up for reelection.

“I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying and I can’t do that,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CBS when pressed on whether he will consider a run after the midterms next year.

To be sure, many Democrats remain circumspect.

Of the dozen potential 2028 candidates The Associated Press requested interviews with to discuss the changing dynamic, none was immediately available. Some Democrats deflect questions and say their attention is elsewhere even as they campaign for others in early-voting states.

On the Republican side, an entirely different dynamic is brewing under the surface. Potential candidates are keeping low profiles amid expectations that President Donald Trump will play kingmaker in choosing his would-be successor.

Presidential campaign strategists say the Democrats’ less guarded approach makes sense given the wide-open 2028 field and sheer number of candidates competing for attention. Among the others who have said they are considering a run: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who also was a White House chief of staff, and Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.

“Old rules just don’t apply to anything anymore,” said Jess O’Connell, a Democratic strategist who advised Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign. She said the change was a good thing for the party.

“You’ve got to be out there every single day fighting and sharing your vision,” she said. “And I think the more runway they have to talk to people in this moment and to communicate about meeting the needs of the future,” then the better.

New dynamics at play

Alex Conant, a veteran of the presidential campaigns of Republicans Marco Rubio, a former Florida senator who is now Trump’s secretary of state, and Tim Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor, said the dynamics of the emerging Democratic primary, with no clear front-runner, have changed the calculus for candidates.

“I think the Democratic primary is going to be the longest primary of our life. It’s hard to recall a field that is this wide open. And the Democratic base is so hungry for someone to take on Trump and win back the White House,” he said. “The more crowded it is, the more important it is to start early.”

Candidates, he noted, are also “immediately more relevant if you might be the next president,” adding to the incentive to say the quiet part out loud.

Voters these days are also turned off by the kind of politician-speak that was once the norm.

“One of the takeaways from Trump is that people want authenticity,” Conant said. “Voters are rejecting candidates who sound like politicians, so the rhetorical tricks that politicians have used for decades to avoid answering questions now just irritates voters.”

Some are elusive

Not everyone has embraced the approach.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker played coy on stage during a recent interview with journalist Kara Swisher, repeatedly dodging her questions about his expected timeline.

“Blah, blah,” she responded as he tried to pivot to talking about the strength of the Democratic bench.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has been equally circumspect, refusing to acknowledge any White House ambitions or even commit to running again for governor, even as the shadow of 2028 follows him everywhere he goes. But during an appearance on “The Breakfast Club” podcast last month, as he reflected on the arson attack on his official residence, he sounded like someone who is eager to remain in the arena.

“I love public service,” he said. “You can’t walk away now, with everything that’s on the line. … This is not a time to quit.”

His perceived national ambitions have become a frequent attack line for his potential GOP rival for governor, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity.

“We need somebody that is more interested in Pennsylvania and not on Pennsylvania Avenue,” Garrity said recently on a conservative radio show in Philadelphia.

There are risks for candidates

That is one of the risks for candidates, said Mike DuHaime, a longtime GOP strategist who advised the presidential campaigns of Chris Christie, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and George W. Bush.

In 2013, he noted, Christie’s opponent in the New Jersey governor’s race often tried to use his national buzz as a campaign issue against him.

Candidates, DuHaime said, also need to strike a balance and make that they are not distracting from midterm races by funneling money or attention away from candidates who need them.

“I think it makes sense not to be so coy because people kind of get it, but they still should be careful about putting themselves in front of the country cause it could backfire,” he said. They “have to be careful that they still look a little bit like team players.”

In other cases, candidates have genuinely not made up their minds, and may be lured by party leaders in early-voting states eager to draw rising stars to their events, DuHaime said.

“It’s very intriguing and exciting for candidates and would-be candidates to be asked,” he said, with some deciding, “Let’s go experience it, the national circus. Let’s be part of that.”

Along with potential legal considerations, O’Connell, the Democratic strategist, also noted that many of those expected to run have day jobs they need to balance. While picking fights with Trump certainly puts them in the spotlight, it could have ramifications for constituents if the Republican president retaliates, meaning that candidates will need to choose their moments wisely.

“You have to fulfill your obligations to the states that you’re in,” she said. “It’s not so much that you’re playing a game, it’s that I think that there are some practical considerations.”

“I think we’re going to see people struggling with that,” she added.

She also urged candidates to embrace what she called a “Beyonce-Taylor Swift strategy,” referring to the pop stars’ boosting the economies of the cities where they performed on tour.

“What I would advise anyone who wants to be president in 2028,” she said, “is to roll up your sleeves and help.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/potential-presidential-candidates-2028/ 

Christian Cardoza of Aurora was enjoying a bicycle ride around downtown Aurora Friday evening while waiting for the start of the city’s Winter Lights Fest.

“I’ve been here a number of times. I mostly come for the vibe that comes when Christmas is just around the corner,” he said as he stepped off his bike for a moment. “If they are are having Winter Lights, I’m here.”

Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, the city of Aurora’s Winter Lights Fest offered a three-hour holiday season kickoff that included the largest parade ever at the event, a drone show, photos with Santa and the traditional tree-lighting ceremony.

Temperatures in the mid-40s made this year’s fest more comfortable, although city officials insisted that when it comes to Winter Light Fest folks come regardless.

“We’ve had this when there were single digits three years ago and we still had thousands of people down here,” said Mike Nelson, director of special events for the city of Aurora.

He noted this year’s event featured “the largest parade we’ve ever had with 30 units, an increase of about six or seven from a year ago. We’re growing this parade substantially every year.”

One of the floats at the parade came from the popular Lehnertz Avenue group in Aurora which has put up holiday displays in its neighborhood for 74 years.

Members of the Simply Destinee youth dance team wave to the crowd while on a float during the Winter Lights Fest parade in Aurora on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (Sean King/For The Beacon-News)

Lisa Hardekopf, a member of the group, came with some of her neighbors and said they have been part of the Winter Lights parade for nearly a decade.

“It’s not the holidays until we have this parade. It definitely starts off the season for us,” Hardekopf said. “We’re always on Lehnertz Avenue getting ready for the whole year but this is the night that kicks things off – we’re on go. I love seeing the kids reacting to the float going by.”

The tree-lighting outside the GAR Memorial Hall at 23 E. Downer Place featured the city’s horticulturalist Cathy Hayen, who Nelson said “helped us locate a new evergreen, a new holiday tree.”

City of Aurora horticulturalist Cathy Hayen and Mayor John Laesch react after Hayen hits the switch to light the city’s Christmas tree during the Winter Lights Fest in Aurora on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (Sean King/For The Beacon-News)

“It’s very special for us that she’s helping throw the switch,” Nelson said of turning on the lights of the city’s holiday tree at the fest. “Internally, we’ve got one of the most beloved colleagues and co-workers helping us light the tree and she’s retiring this February. She is responsible for all the decorating you see in the downtown and why it looks so great.”

Lyla Blanchard of Genoa was back participating in the Winter Lights Fest parade with her horse Beau.

“I look forward to this parade. It’s awesome to be a part of it and kick off the season and everybody is in such a great mood and it’s such a fun night to be out here with all the lights and the show,” she said. “Aurora has always been so warm and welcoming to us and we’re just grateful to be part of the festivities. It’s not Christmas until you have Winter Lights.”

A crowd watches as the city’s Christmas tree is illuminated during the Winter Lights Fest in Aurora on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (Sean King/For The Beacon-News)

Heather Barbosa of Montgomery said she has made the Aurora holiday event a tradition every year.

“The lights down here are spectacular and the city does a great job setting it up and the music is great,” she said. “We’ve been here for about eight years and we love the way this has grown.”

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/winter-lights-fest-kicks-off-holiday-season-in-downtown-aurora/ 

A Home Rule Sales Tax, a Local Motor Fuel Tax, an Alcohol Beverage Tax, a Municipal Electricity Use Tax, a Municipal Utility Tax, and a Municipal Use Tax were created as revenue alternatives, Elgin City Manager Richard Kozal said.

The city council asked staff to look at those alternatives to see if increasing any would help avoid a property tax increase next year.

Kozal said Elgin is already at the maximum level of return for the Municipal Electricity Use Tax, Municipal Utility Tax, and Municipal Use Tax.

Currently, the Home Rule Sales Tax is 1.5%. The amount is lower than Carpentersville, at 2%, but higher than West Dundee, East Dundee, Algonquin, and Hoffman Estates. The tax is 1% in those communities.

“These are our neighboring competitors,” Kozal said. “Many of these potential revenue streams have the ability of pushing people to other communities if they want to save money.”

Kozal said Elgin is competitively positioned among other communities.

Increasing the sales tax would help boost revenues, but retailers would likely want to weigh in on any potential increase, Kozal said.

Elgin has the highest Local Motor Fuel Tax among surrounding communities. The current tax is 4 cents.  “If there’s any one area that people shop literally by the pennies, it’s with gas stations,” Kozal said.

Alcoholic Beverage Taxes are imposed differently in other communities. Some have a food and beverage or packaged sales tax. In Elgin, there’s a 3% tax on alcohol sales consumed on premises only.

“I think an important point here is when we talk about doing increases here, a number of these increases wouldn’t be enough to do us much good,” Mayor Dave Kaptain said.

If we do some of the other taxes, “people are going to shop in other places,” Kaptain said. Property taxes are more stable, he said.

Management Analyst Giovanni Jungo provided an example of an actual property tax to explain how much the average homeowner would pay. The three-bedroom, two-bath westside home was assessed at $253,722 in the tax year 2024, payable in 2025.

The property owner paid $6,128.10 to nine taxing bodies. Elgin’s share was $1,108.41, or 18% of the bill, Jungo said. The amount is for the general fund and public safety pensions.

If that property is assessed at the same amount in 2025, for taxes payable in 2026, Elgin’s share of the tax bill would go up to $1,258.91, a $150.50 increase.

Whether or not the city increases the property tax levy, the pension levy would go up slightly due to pension obligations.

The largest amount of the tax bill, $3,916.39, went to School District U-46.

Kaptain said the Kane County Clerk is opening a satellite office in Elgin, where residents can ask questions about their tax bills.

The city council is expected to approve the budget next month.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for the Elgin Courier.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/elgin-officials-tax-revenue-budget/ 

Lawmakers Want To Block US Purchases Of Chinese Chipmaking Equipment

Tyler Durden
Sat, 11/22/2025 – 12:50

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/lawmakers-want-block-us-purchases-chinese-chipmaking-equipment 

Por AAMER MADHANI y WILL WEISSERT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Con su nuevo plan de 28 puntos para poner fin a la guerra de Rusia en Ucrania, el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump retoma su argumento de que su homólogo ucraniano Volodymyr Zelenskyy no “tiene las cartas” para continuar en el campo de batalla y debe aceptar un acuerdo que se inclina marcadamente del lado de Moscú.

Trump —quien ha mostrado poca estima por Zelenskyy desde su primer mandato— dijo el viernes que espera que el mandatario ucraniano responda al nuevo plan de su gobierno para poner fin a la guerra para el próximo jueves.

“Creemos que tenemos una manera de lograr la paz”, dijo Trump a los periodistas en una aparición en el Despacho Oval. “Va a tener que aprobarla”.

Azotado por un escándalo de corrupción en su gobierno, reveses en el campo de batalla y otro invierno difícil que se avecina al tiempo que Rusia mantiene sus bombardeos a la red eléctrica de Ucrania, Zelenskyy dice que su país se enfrenta ahora a la que quizá sea la decisión más difícil de su historia.

Trump y Zelenskyy han tenido una relación complicada

Zelenskyy no ha hablado con Trump desde que el plan se hizo público esta semana, pero ha dicho que espera hablar con el presidente republicano en los próximos días. Es probable que sea otra de una serie de conversaciones difíciles que ambos líderes han mantenido a lo largo de los años.

La primera vez que hablaron, en 2019, Trump intentó presionar al entonces recién nombrado presidente ucraniano para que descubriera algo turbio sobre Joe Biden antes de las elecciones de 2020. Esa llamada telefónica desencadenó el primer juicio político de Trump.

Trump convirtió el apoyo de Biden a Ucrania en uno de los temas centrales de su exitosa campaña de 2024, mantuvo que el conflicto había costado demasiado dinero a los contribuyentes estadounidenses y prometió que él pondría fin a la guerra rápidamente.

A principios de este año —en una desastrosa reunión en la Oficina Oval— Trump y el vicepresidente JD Vance criticaron duramente a Zelenskyy por lo que, según ellos, era insuficiente gratitud por los más de 180.000 millones de dólares que Estados Unidos había destinado para ayuda militar y otro apoyo a Kiev desde el inicio de la guerra. Ese episodio provocó una suspensión temporal de la asistencia estadounidense a Ucrania.

Y ahora, con la nueva propuesta, Trump presiona a Zelenskyy para que acepte conceder territorio a Moscú, una reducción drástica del ejército ucraniano y un acuerdo de Europa que afirme que Ucrania nunca será admitida en la alianza militar de la OTAN.

“Ahora Ucrania podría encontrarse ante una decisión muy difícil: la pérdida de su dignidad o el riesgo de perder a un aliado clave”, expresó Zelenskyy en un discurso por video el viernes.

En el centro del plan de Trump se encuentra el llamado a Ucrania para que ceda la totalidad de su región oriental del Donbás, a pesar de que una vasta franja de ese territorio permanece aún bajo control ucraniano. Analistas del Institute for the Study of War (Instituto para el Estudio de la Guerra), un grupo independiente de expertos en análisis y asuntos militares, con sede en Washington, han estimado que, con base en su ritmo actual de avance, al ejército ruso le tomará varios años apoderarse de ese territorio por completo.

No obstante, Trump insiste en que la pérdida de la región —que incluye ciudades que son centros vitales de defensa, industriales y logísticos para las fuerzas ucranianas— es un hecho consumado.

“Perderán en poco tiempo. Lo saben”, respondió Trump el viernes cuando se le preguntó durante una entrevista en la estación Fox News Radio sobre su presión para que Ucrania ceda el territorio. “Están perdiendo territorio. Están perdiendo territorio”.

La paciencia de Trump es una incertidumbre

La propuesta de Trump fue presentada formalmente a Zelenskyy en Kiev el jueves por Dan Driscoll, secretario del Ejército de Estados Unidos. El plan en sí mismo sorprendió al personal de Driscoll, quienes incluso el miércoles ignoraban que su jefe viajaría a Ucrania como parte de un equipo para presentar el plan a los ucranianos.

Oficiales del ejército se marcharon de esa reunión con la impresión de que los ucranianos consideraban la propuesta como un punto de partida que evolucionará a medida que avanzan las negociaciones, según un funcionario estadounidense, quien habló bajo condición de anonimato para poder discutir las delicadas conversaciones.

No está claro cuánta paciencia tendrá Trump para negociar más. Karoline Leavitt, secretaria de prensa de la Casa Blanca, declaró el jueves que el nuevo plan de Trump refleja “las realidades de la situación” y ofrece el “mejor escenario en el que ambas partes ganan más de lo que deben dar”.

Cuando se le preguntó sobre la vacilante respuesta inicial de Zelenskyy a la propuesta, Trump recordó el altercado de febrero en el Despacho Oval con el presidente ucraniano: “Recuerdas, justo en el Despacho Oval, no hace mucho, le dije: ‘No tienes las cartas’”.

Zelenskyy se encuentra ahora en una situación vulnerable

La creciente presión de Trump se produce a la vez que Zelenskyy lidia con las consecuencias de 100 millones de dólares en sobornos por contratos con la empresa estatal de energía nuclear. El escándalo provocó la renuncia de altos ministros del gabinete e implicó a otros allegados de Zelenskyy.

Konstantin Sonin, economista político y experto en Rusia de la Universidad de Chicago, opinó que “para lo que Donald Trump es muy bueno, sin duda, es para detectar los puntos débiles de la gente”.

Uno de los 28 elementos de la propuesta de Trump exige la celebración de elecciones dentro de los 100 días siguientes a la promulgación del acuerdo.

“Creo que es una evaluación racionalista que se puede ejercer más presión sobre Zelenskyy que sobre Putin”, refirió Sonin, y añadió que “Zelenskyy está contra las cuerdas” y que “su gobierno podría colapsar si acepta” la propuesta estadounidense.

Mientras tanto, Ucrania muestra cada vez más signos de estrés en el campo de batalla tras años de guerra contra un ejército ruso mucho más numeroso y mejor equipado. Ucrania intenta desesperadamente defenderse de los incesantes ataques aéreos rusos que han provocado apagones continuos en todo el país justamente antes del invierno.

Kiev también enfrenta dudas sobre el futuro. Un plan europeo para financiar el presupuesto del próximo año para Ucrania mediante préstamos vinculados a fondos rusos congelados está ahora en duda.

La propuesta de Trump, en su forma actual, también incluye varios elementos que vulnerarían profundamente el orgullo ucraniano, explicó David Silbey, historiador militar de la Universidad de Cornell.

Una disposición insta a Rusia y Ucrania a abolir “todas las medidas discriminatorias y garantizar los derechos de los medios de comunicación y la educación ucranianos y rusos”, y “toda ideología y actividades nazis deben ser rechazadas y prohibidas”. Ese elemento podría ser interpretado del lado ucraniano como una forma de dar crédito a la difusión de narrativas históricas distorsionadas por parte de Putin para legitimar su invasión de 2022.

Putin ha afirmado que la guerra es, en parte, un intento para “desnazificar” a Ucrania y se quejó del “régimen neonazi” del país como justificación para la invasión por parte de Rusia. La realidad es que, en las últimas elecciones parlamentarias ucranianas de 2019, el apoyo a los candidatos de ultraderecha fue del 2% —cifra considerablemente menor que en muchos otros países europeos.

La disposición del plan es “claramente un intento de sostener la pretensión de Putin de que haya una identidad cultural rusa en Ucrania”, dijo Silbey. “Desde la pérdida de territorio hasta la reducción sustancial del ejército ucraniano y las concesiones culturales que se han exigido, simplemente no creo que Zelenskyy pueda aceptar este acuerdo y mirar a su gente a los ojos”.

___

Los periodistas de The Associated Press Michelle L. Price y Konstantin Toropin contribuyeron a este despacho.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/trump-acorrala-a-zelenskyy-con-nuevo-plan-para-poner-fin-a-guerra-de-rusia-en-ucrania/ 

Por CIARÁN FAHEY

BERLÍN (AP) — El joven Lennart Karl, de 17 años, fue clave para que el Bayern Munich, líder de la Bundesliga, remontara dos goles en contea para vencer el sábado 6-2 al Freiburg.

Karl, quien estaba haciendo su novena aparición en la liga y su segunda como titular, envió un mensaje oportuno al entrenador de Alemania, Julian Nagelsmann, antes del Mundial del próximo año al instigar la remontada del Bayern con un gol, una asistencia y un juego deslumbrante.

Michael Olise también brilló al anotar dos tantos y asistir en tres más.

El Freiburg aprovechó el inicio pasivo del Bayern con goles de Yuito Suzuki y Johan Manzambi tras saques de esquina en los primeros 18 minutos. Fue la primera vez que el Bayern se colocó atrás en casa esta temporada.

Karl respondió cuatro minutos después tras controlar el balón de Olise con su pie izquierdo y marcar con el derecho, y el joven devolvió el favor para que Olise igualara antes del descanso.

El incansable Karl podría haber anotado de nuevo después del descanso, solo que un posible gol fue anulado tras la revisión del VAR por fuera de juego en la jugada previa.

Dayot Upamecano anotó en un tiro de esquina de Olise y Harry Kane aumentó su cuenta como líder de la liga a los 60 minutos.

Karl salió entre aplausos resonantes al 71 después de recibir un golpe en la cadera, dejando a Olise para asistir al suplente Nicolas Jackson para el quinto al 78. Olise completó la goleada al 84, asistido por Hiroki Ito, quien tuvo su primera aparición de la temporada.

El delantero del Stuttgart Deniz Undav concedió un penal y luego anotó una tripleta para lograr empatar 3-3 ante el Borussia Dortmund.

Después de despedir a su entrenador y director deportivo durante el parón internacional, las esperanzas de Wolfsburg de un nuevo comienzo se vieron frustradas con una derrota 3-1 en casa ante el Bayer Leverkusen.

El Borussia Mönchengladbach ganó 3-0 en Heidenheim, y el Augsburgo derrotó 1-0 al Hamburger SV.

El Eintracht Frankfurt visita más tarde al Colonia.

___

Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/el-joven-lennart-karl-lidera-remontada-del-bayern-para-vencer-6-2-al-freiburg-en-la-bundesliga/ 

Brazilian Police Make ‘Preventative Arrest’ Of Jair Bolsonaro, Fearing He’ll Flee

Tyler Durden
Sat, 11/22/2025 – 12:15

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/brazilian-police-make-preventative-arrest-jair-bolsonaro-fearing-hell-flee 

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israel’s military on Saturday launched airstrikes against Hamas fighters in Gaza in the latest test of the ceasefire that began on Oct. 10, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said five senior Hamas members were killed. Health officials in Gaza reported at least 24 people killed and another 54 wounded, including children.

The Israeli strikes came as international momentum was building on Gaza, with the U.N. Security Council on Monday approving the U.S. blueprint to secure and govern the territory. It authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security, approves a transitional authority to be overseen by President Donald Trump and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state.

Israel has previously carried out similar waves of strikes after reported attacks on its forces during the ceasefire. At least 33 Palestinians were killed over a 12-hour period Wednesday and Thursday, mostly women and children, health officials said.

One of Saturday’s strikes targeted a vehicle, killing 11 and wounding over 20 Palestinians in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood, said Rami Mhanna, managing director of Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. The majority of the wounded were children, director Mohamed Abu Selmiya said.

Associated Press video showed children and others inspecting the blackened vehicle, whose top was blown off.

A strike targeting a house near Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza killed at least three people and wounded 11 others, according to the hospital. It said a strike on a house in Nuseirat camp in central Gaza killed at least seven people including a child and wounded 16 others.

Another strike, targeting a house in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, killed three people, including a woman, according to Al-Aqsa Hospital.

“Suddenly, I heard a powerful explosion. I looked outside and saw smoke covering the entire area. I couldn’t see a thing. I covered my ears and started shouting to the others in the tent to run,” said Khalil Abu Hatab in Deir al-Balah. “When I looked again, I realized the upper floor of my neighbor’s house was gone.”

He added: “It’s a fragile ceasefire. This is not a life we can live. There’s no safe place.”

Israel’s military in a statement said it launched attacks against Hamas after an “armed terrorist” crossed into an Israeli-held area and shot at troops in southern Gaza. It said no soldiers were hurt. The military said the person had used a road on which humanitarian aid enters the territory, and called it an “extreme violation” of the ceasefire.

In separate statements, the military said soldiers killed five “terrorists” in the Rafah area, and two others after firing at four people who crossed into Israeli-held areas in northern Gaza and advanced toward soldiers in two separate incidents.

The war began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed some 1,200 people and took over 250 hostage. Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says 69,733 Palestinians have been killed and 170,863 injured in Israel’s retaliatory offensive. The toll has gone up during the ceasefire both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war.

The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/israel-launches-gaza-strikes-testing-ceasefire/