Gazans’ Pre-War Views of Hamas

A pre-October 7 survey of West Bank and Gaza residents suggests most Palestinians didn’t trust Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

Israel and Egypt have limited the flow of goods and people into Gaza since 2005. Those restrictions were significantly strengthened after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007. Yet, according to polling from the respected Arab Barometer conducted before the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack, only 16% of residents there blamed the lack of food in Gaza to externally imposed economic sanctions. 31% of respondents blamed government mismanagement, and 26% blamed inflation.

Asking Ukrainians

94% of Ukrainians surveyed in September said Ukraine would definitely or likely win their war against Russia.

There are growing murmurs in the media that the war in Ukraine is slowly becoming a stalemate.

As the war approaches the end of its second year, two developments are important to keep in mind. First, despite the extraordinary advantages that Russians had in terms of planning, stocks of weaponry, and sheer numbers of fighters, Ukrainian forces have liberated 54% of the lands they took in the weeks after February 2022.

Malaria is Largely Preventable, and Yet…

Malaria kills roughly 600,000 people each year, and is now present in four US states. Yet it’s largely preventable, and an affordable new vaccine is ramping up in production.

As anyone who has lived or worked in Africa can tell you, malaria has long been a terrible challenge for the continent, imposing considerable human and economic costs. The disease kills more than 600,000 people annually, and Africa accounts for 95% of all malaria cases—and 96% of its deaths. Among Africans, pregnant women and young children, who have lower natural immunity, are hit hardest. About 80% of malaria-related deaths are from children under the age of five.

Hamas and the Gazan Tunnels

The use of underground tunnels in crime and battle is hardly new—especially in the Middle East. The scale, placement, sophistication, and targeting of civilians brought to the Gazan tunnels by Hamas is.

Reports say that a 300-mile-long network of underground tunnels, controlled by Hamas, runs under much of Gaza. Stretches of the tunnels are concrete reinforced, equipped with electricity and communications, have stores of food and water, and are large enough to host small gatherings of people, and even permit vehicles to travel through them. Some Israeli military experts say that in a few places, tunnel structures could run as deep as 200 feet.