Texas Tourists Sheltering in Israel Amidst Hamas Attacks
A group of Texas tourists, who embarked on an educational journey to Israel with the Florida-based tour company Mejdi Tours, now find themselves in a precarious situation as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies. These Lone Star State visitors are anxiously awaiting confirmation of safe passage out of the country while the volatile situation unfolds around them.
Mejdi Tours, founded by Aziz Abu Sarah and Scott Cooper, has long been dedicated to providing travelers with unique and immersive experiences in regions deeply impacted by religious and political divisions. This innovative company offers a distinct approach, employing both a Jewish or Israeli guide and a Palestinian guide on their tours. This dual-guide system allows tourists to gain a multifaceted perspective on the complex historical and cultural landscape of Israel and the occupied territories.
The co-founders, Abu Sarah and Cooper, come from diverse backgrounds themselves. Abu Sarah, with Palestinian roots, and Cooper, who is Jewish, aim to foster understanding and empathy among their tour participants. Their tours serve as a microcosm of their mission: to break down the barriers of ignorance, fear, and hatred that have divided communities for generations.
In the wake of the surprise attack by Hamas militants in Gaza, the Texas tourists chose to remain in Israel as they awaited their chance to leave through neighboring Jordan. Aziz Abu Sarah, ever committed to his mission, emphasized the group’s collective heartbreak and the pervasive sense of despair that has gripped the country.
While nearly 50 American tourists were in Israel at the time of the Hamas attack, the majority managed to exit the country safely through Jordan. However, this particular group from Texas, driven by a desire to understand the complexities of the region, made the difficult decision to stay behind.
The conflict, which escalated into a full-fledged war following the attack, has already claimed the lives of over 1,100 people on both sides, with thousands more suffering injuries. The violence shows no signs of abating as Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel, met with retaliatory airstrikes.
The situation took a grim turn when CNN reported on video evidence showing at least four civilians who had been killed while in the custody of Hamas militants near the Gaza border. The authenticity of these videos was verified by the news outlet, raising concerns about the safety of hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. Among these hostages are high-ranking army officers and individuals from various nationalities.
The community of Be’eri, situated just three miles from the eastern border of Gaza, was one of the first to bear the brunt of the Hamas attack. Israeli authorities confirmed that most Hamas militants in Be’eri have been neutralized, but Israeli troops are working tirelessly to secure the area and eliminate any remaining threats.
As the conflict rages on, the fate of the hostages remains uncertain. Reports indicate that Hamas has taken more than 100 Israelis hostage, with their location in Gaza unknown. Another Palestinian armed group, Islamic Jihad, has also claimed to be holding at least 30 hostages in Gaza, though these claims remain unverified.
The situation remains fluid and highly volatile, with Israel deploying troops and maintaining a state of high alert along its borders to safeguard vulnerable areas and prevent further incursions. The Texas tourists, like many others caught in the crossfire, can only hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict that has touched the lives of so many on both sides.
Tel Aviv – Officials have confirmed the release of 20 hostages from Gaza on Monday under the ongoing ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. The Israeli government verified the names late this evening, following coordination with the International Red Cross.
The newly freed hostages include a mix of civilians, soldiers, and festival-goers who were taken captive during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks—the deadliest single day in Israel’s modern history. Many had been held for more than two years. Families and supporters gathered outside hospitals across the country as buses carrying the released Israelis arrived for medical checks and reunions.
According to information confirmed by multiple outlets, including Reuters and Israeli government sources, the following hostages have been released:
- Matan Angrest, 22 – IDF soldier kidnapped from a tank near Nahal Oz.
- Gali Berman, 27 – Kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza with twin brother.
- Ziv Berman, 27 – Kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza with twin brother.
- Elkana Bohbot, 35 – Taken from the Nova music festival in Re’im.
- Rom Braslavski, 22 – Security guard at the Nova festival.
- Nimrod Cohen, 21 – IDF soldier abducted near the Gaza border.
- David Cunio, 35 – Kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz; wife and daughters were released in an earlier exchange.
- Ariel Cunio, 28 – Kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside his brother.
- Evyatar David, 24 – Abducted from the Nova festival.
- Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 23 – Kidnapped from the Nova festival.
- Maxim Herkin, 35 – Ukrainian immigrant, taken from the Nova festival.
- Eitan Horn, 38 – Visiting his brother in Kibbutz Nir Oz when abducted.
- Segev Kalfon, 27 – Taken from the Nova festival grounds.
- Bar Abraham Kupershtein, 22 – Security guard at the Nova festival.
- Omri Miran, 47 – Kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz.
- Eitan Abraham Mor, 23 – Security guard at the Nova festival.
- Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25 – Kidnapped from the Nova festival after helping the wounded.
- Alon Ohel, 24 – Abducted from the Nova festival; sustained an eye injury.
- Avinatan Or, 32 – Kidnapped from the Nova festival; his partner was rescued earlier.
- Matan Zangauker, 25 – Taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz; his girlfriend was released earlier.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that all 20 individuals were transferred to Israeli custody and transported to hospitals for evaluation. Most are reported to be in stable physical condition, though several are being treated for malnutrition and trauma.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the release “a moment of light amid great darkness,” while reiterating that efforts continue to bring home the remaining captives. According to Israeli officials, the bodies of more than 28 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, including several soldiers and foreign nationals.
Many of the newly freed hostages had become familiar names to the Israeli public through posters, rallies, and social media campaigns that kept their stories alive during their long captivity. Families of the Nova festival victims—where over 378 civilians were massacred—said the release provides hope but not closure.
“We’re grateful to have them back,” said one relative of a released hostage, “but we can’t forget those who are still there.”
Negotiations for the exchange were mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, and come as part of a phased truce agreement aimed at reducing hostilities while addressing humanitarian conditions inside Gaza. The arrangement required Israel to release Palestinian prisoners in return.
Security analysts caution that the deal may only provide temporary relief, noting that Hamas has previously leveraged hostage releases for political advantage. Meanwhile, families of the deceased continue to pressure the Israeli government to keep negotiations alive until every last hostage is home.
As of Monday night, crowds gathered in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” lit candles and held Israeli flags in silent tribute. The mood was one of gratitude, tempered by grief—and a collective resolve that the fight for the missing must continue.
Source attribution: Hostage names confirmed via Israeli government statement and Reuters report, October 13, 2025.
South Korea – A groundbreaking study from South Korea has dropped a bombshell on the world of public health, exposing a potential link between COVID-19 vaccinations and sharp increases in several major cancers. Drawing from an enormous dataset of over 8 million people, the research—published this week in Biomarker Research (Springer Nature)—shows vaccinated individuals facing risks up to 69% higher for prostate cancer, with significant elevations across thyroid, gastric, colorectal, lung, and breast cancers in the year following vaccination. This isn’t fringe speculation; it’s hard data from a national health database, urging a hard look at vaccine safety in vulnerable populations.
The study, led by Hong Jin Kim from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery, analyzed records from the Korean National Health Insurance Service for 8,407,849 Seoul residents vaccinated between 2021 and 2023. Using rigorous propensity score matching, researchers balanced 595,007 vaccinated participants against 2,380,028 unvaccinated controls, minimizing biases in age, sex, and health status. The results? Crystal-clear hazard ratios (HRs) signaling elevated dangers:
- Thyroid cancer: HR 1.35 (95% CI 1.21–1.51) – a 35% increased risk.
- Gastric cancer: HR 1.34 (95% CI 1.13–1.58) – 34% higher.
- Colorectal cancer: HR 1.28 (95% CI 1.12–1.47) – 28% bump.
- Lung cancer: HR 1.53 (95% CI 1.25–1.87) – a staggering 53% rise.
- Breast cancer: HR 1.20 (95% CI 1.07–1.34) – 20% elevated.
- Prostate cancer: HR 1.69 (95% CI 1.35–2.11) – nearly 70% surge.
These aren’t abstract stats; they translate to thousands of potential excess cases. For instance, the analysis flagged 1,000+ additional cancer diagnoses among the vaccinated cohort, with risks amplified by specifics like vaccine type. Viral vector vaccines (e.g., AstraZeneca) correlated with spikes in thyroid, gastric, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers. mRNA formulations (Pfizer and Moderna) showed ties to thyroid, colorectal, lung, and breast. Even heterologous (mixed) regimens hinted at thyroid and breast elevations. Boosters? They pushed gastric and pancreatic risks even higher, with HRs climbing to 1.40+ in some subgroups.
Demographics painted a targeted picture: Men saw outsized gastric and lung threats, women thyroid and colorectal. Under-65s faced amplified thyroid and breast risks, while those over 75 grappled with steeper prostate dangers. The study’s multivariate adjustments for confounders—like smoking, BMI, and comorbidities—held firm, suggesting these patterns aren’t easily dismissed.
Kim and team hypothesize biological pathways: Vaccine-induced inflammation, or the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein’s potential oncogenic effects, could be fueling tumor growth. “COVID-19 vaccination could be associated with an increased risk of six specific cancer types,” they conclude, calling for optimized strategies—perhaps pausing boosters for at-risk groups—and molecular investigations to confirm causality.
| Cancer Type | Hazard Ratio (HR) | 95% Confidence Interval | Key Subgroup Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thyroid | 1.35 | 1.21–1.51 | Higher in women under 65; mRNA & viral vector links |
| Gastric | 1.34 | 1.13–1.58 | Men at greater risk; boosters amplify |
| Colorectal | 1.28 | 1.12–1.47 | Women elevated; viral vector strong tie |
| Lung | 1.53 | 1.25–1.87 | Men dominant; both vaccine types implicated |
| Breast | 1.20 | 1.07–1.34 | Under-65s hit hardest; mRNA association |
| Prostate | 1.69 | 1.35–2.11 | Over-75s vulnerable; viral vector peak |
As expected, voices long aligned with Big Pharma interests have rushed to downplay the findings, citing “healthy user bias” from increased screenings among the vaccinated. But with the study’s robust matching and short-term follow-up capturing rapid-onset signals, these critiques feel like familiar deflection. The data demands action, not dismissal—real-world evidence from a top-tier database can’t be waved away.
Cancer doesn’t wait for consensus. Stay vigilant … if you have received a COVID-19 vaccine, get screened.
In the intricate web of modern economies, one thread stands out for its sheer indispensability: oil. Not just the lifeblood of transportation, oil’s influence permeates every facet of consumer life, from the mundane to the sophisticated. Yet, under the Harris-Biden administration, what appears as a war on oil could well be the unseen hand inflating prices across the board, touching every product we use or consume.
Consider your morning routine. That cup of coffee from Starbucks? Oil isn’t just in the fuel that transports the beans; it’s in the cup itself, lined with petroleum-based plastics. The makeup you applied before going to work… those are petrochemicals. Petrochemicals are integral to cosmetics. And let’s not forget your smartphone or laptop, where oil derivatives are crucial in manufacturing components like plastics, synthetic rubbers, and even the tiny amounts in circuits.
The agricultural sector, the backbone of food production, is deeply oil-dependent. From the fuel for tractors to the fertilizers made from natural gas, a byproduct of oil extraction, to the plastic packaging of your groceries, oil’s footprint is undeniable. Water purification? It relies on energy-intensive processes, often powered by fossil fuels. But water additives, filters, piping … every component is a product of oil; synthesized from petroleum derivatives.
Your clothes, your shoes, your eye glasses or contacts. Your hair products (or hair dryer), shampoo bottles (and even the shampoo) are all petroleum based. And let’s not forget that everything you purchase was shipped to that store … or your door. Shipping is a huge oil based industry. It’s not just the fuel, it’s the cardboard box, the tape, the sticky print labels and even the ink on those labels. It’s even the road… the additives in the asphalt. The paint of the lines on the road. The traffic lights or reflective road signage.
Even the most eco-conscious choices, like electric vehicles, aren’t free from oil’s influence. The manufacturing of EVs, from batteries to tires, involves oil at every step and in every part. The plastic dash, the leather seats, the electronics. The last thing in the line is the electricity to charge them. While renewable sources are growing, a significant portion still comes from oil or natural gas. Even if the source of the energy comes from a renewable source, the wires that bring it to your house are copper & rubber, which is made from petroleum. Oil.
Every single thing in your home is made with, by or shipped using petroleum … oil. Everything.
This pervasive reliance on oil sets the stage for understanding the economic repercussions of the Harris-Biden administration’s energy policies. By imposing restrictions on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands, as seen in early 2021, and signaling a shift away from fossil fuels, these policies have inadvertently tightened the oil supply, pushing prices up. This isn’t just about filling up your car; it’s about the cost of everything.
Inflation, therefore, isn’t merely a monetary policy issue but a direct consequence of energy policy. When oil prices surge, not due to market demand but policy-induced scarcity, every sector feels the pinch. Manufacturers face higher production costs, which inevitably get passed on to consumers. The ripple effect is clear: higher oil prices lead to higher costs in transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, and beyond, culminating in the inflation we’re witnessing.
The administration’s approach, while aimed at combating climate change, overlooks the immediate economic realities. By not fully supporting domestic oil production or infrastructure like the Keystone XL Pipeline, they’ve contributed to a scenario where oil prices could have been moderated, thus potentially alleviating some inflationary pressures.
In essence, oil isn’t just a component of our economy; it’s the lifeblood. The policies that inadvertently restrict its flow are akin to tightening the economic arteries, leading to a systemic increase in costs across all goods and services. As we navigate this complex landscape, understanding oil’s role beyond just fuel for our vehicles might just be the key to untangling the inflation conundrum we face today. The Harris-Biden administration’s energy strategy, while well-intentioned for the environment, might be the unseen force inflating our everyday expenses, reminding us that in economics, as in life, everything is interconnected.
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