Israel and Hamas October 2023 Conflict: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

"On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas (a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, or FTO) led surprise attacks against Israel from the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air. The assault came on a Jewish holiday, 50 years after the Egypt-Syria surprise attack that sparked the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The attacks’ scope and lethality against Israel have no precedent in the 16 years Hamas has controlled Gaza, and the nature of the violence stunned Israelis. The apparent intelligence and operational failures in preventing the assault will be a subject of analysis for Israeli and U.S. officials. Iran reportedly provides material support to Hamas, and according to U.S. officials may be complicit in a broad sense, but President Biden has said “there is no evidence” that Iran helped plan the attack.

In response to the attacks, Israel’s cabinet formally declared war on Hamas. Israel has initiated efforts to recover hostages, begun an aerial bombardment campaign against militants in Gaza, mobilized hundreds of thousands of reserve troops, and repositioned ground forces close to Gaza. Israel’s government almost completely halted the supply of electricity, food, water, and fuel to Gaza, which before the conflict had already faced crisis-level economic and humanitarian conditions.

Israeli officials have said that they aim to change the status quo in Gaza, and are contemplating a major ground invasion that may seek to end Hamas’s rule there. The Israel Defense Forces has said it “calls for” all civilians residing in northern Gaza to evacuate southward. Hamas called on people to remain in place. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed concern for the effects Israeli actions regarding Gaza may have on civilian well-being. An estimated 1 million Gazans (nearly half the territory’s population) have been displaced from their homes.

On October 16, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable international humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. On October 18 during a visit to Israel, President Biden confirmed this plan and announced $100 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank..."
Israel and Hamas 

Lettuce, Other Leafy Greens, and Food Safety

"What You Need to Know

• The best way to wash leafy greens is by rinsing them under running water.
• Never use a bleach solution or other disinfectant to wash produce.
• Store leafy greens, salads, and all pre-cut and packaged produce in a clean refrigerator with the temperature set to 40°F or colder.
• Use separate cutting boards and utensils for produce and for raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
• Never eat, serve, or sell leafy greens that have been recalled.
• All kinds of produce, including organic leafy greens, can be contaminated with harmful germs.

Vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Leafy vegetables (called leafy greens on this page), such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, kale, and bok choy, provide nutrients that help protect you from heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

But leafy greens, like other vegetables and fruits, are sometimes contaminated with harmful germs. Washing leafy greens does not remove all germs. That’s because germs can stick to the surface of leaves and even get inside them. If you eat contaminated leafy greens without cooking them first, such as in a salad or on a sandwich, you might get sick.

• Many foodborne illnesses in the United States are caused by germs on vegetables and fruits that people eat raw.
• Harmful germs sometimes found on leafy greens include E. coli, norovirus, Salmonella, Listeria, and Cyclospora..."
  Leafy Greens and Food Safety 

Preventing Lead Exposure in Children

"The harmful effects of childhood lead exposure can be prevented. The key is to keep children from coming in contact with lead. Learn how to prevent children’s exposure to lead.

Lead in paint, soil, air, water, food, cosmetics, medicines, toys, and consumer products is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified.

Exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health, including

• Damage to the brain and nervous system
• Slowed growth and development
• Learning and behavior problems
• Hearing and speech problems

There are many ways that parents can reduce children’s exposure to lead before they are harmed. Lead hazards in a child’s environment must be identified and controlled or removed safely..

Lead Exposure and children 

Israel and Hamas October 2023 Conflict: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

"On October 7, 2023, Gaza Strip-based militants led by the Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas (a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, or FTO) engaged in a series of surprise attacks by land, sea, and air against Israel. The assault targeted Israeli military bases and civilian areas during the final Jewish high holiday, just over 50 years after the Egypt-Syria surprise attack that sparked the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Hamas reportedly receives much of its funding, weapons, and training from Iran. The Biden Administration has stated publicly that it does not have evidence that the Iranian government had a planning role. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has described Iran as “complicit in this attack in a broad sense” given the level of support it has provided Hamas for years. The attacks’ scope and lethality against Israel have no precedent in the 16 years Hamas has controlled Gaza. The nature of the violence stunned Israelis; apparent intelligence and operational failures in preventing the assault surprised Israeli, U.S., and other Western officials.
 

In response, Israel’s cabinet formally declared war on Hamas, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting that Israel will win a long and difficult campaign. As it seeks to keep militants out of Israeli territory, target them in densely populated Gaza, and recover hostages, the Israeli government has halted the supply of electricity, food, water, and fuel to Gaza. Israeli officials have said that fundamental changes to the status quo are necessary to reestablish security for Israel, but have not specified whether they intend to attempt to end Hamas’s rule in Gaza. Following the attacks, Israel has initiated an aerial bombardment campaign in Gaza, mobilized hundreds of thousands of reserve troops, and repositioned ground forces close to Gaza. On October 13, the Israel Defense Forces called for the evacuation of all civilians in Gaza City “from their homes southward for their own safety and protection.” Hamas called on people to remain in place. U.N. officials expressed concern about potentially grave humanitarian consequences.
 

On October 11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed an emergency unity government that has brought former Defense Minister Benny Gantz into the existing coalition, supposedly for the duration of the war in Gaza. Netanyahu, Gantz, and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are to comprise a cabinet to manage war-related efforts, and have agreed that no unrelated legislation or government resolutions—including on Israel’s judicial system—will be advanced during that time. .."Israel and Hamas   

The Connection Between Type 2 Diabetes and Liver Disease

"Did you know that type 2 diabetes and overweight can put you at an increased risk for certain types of liver disease? Research is starting to reveal more about this often-overlooked connection between type 2 diabetes and your liver. Learn more about the connection, getting screened for liver disease, and how to care for your liver.

All About Your Liver

Your liver is the largest internal organ in your body, and it’s responsible for many vital functions, including:

• Filtering your blood to remove wastes like chemicals or toxins.
• Breaking down medications and other substances.
• Producing bile, which helps you digest fats into energy.
• Helping your body’s immune system fight germs that could make you sick.

Your liver also plays a key role in balancing your blood sugar levels. When you eat, a hormone called insulin removes extra sugar from your bloodstream and stores it in your liver for future use. Between meals and overnight, your liver releases that sugar back into your bloodstream so your body has the energy it needs.

Types of Liver Disease

Viral hepatitis is a liver infection caused by certain viruses. Liver damage or liver cancer can be caused by heavy alcohol consumption.

Other types of liver disease can be caused by chronic conditions like obesity (especially weight around your belly), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) happens when too much fat builds up in your liver. It’s normal for your liver to store some fat, but if more than 5% of your liver’s weight comes from fat, this can cause problems.

A more severe form of fatty liver disease is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This is when you have NAFLD and also have swelling, inflammation (an immune response to injury or illness), and liver damage. About 20% to 30% of people with NAFLD also develop NASH.

NAFLD and NASH can lead to more serious complications like liver cirrhosis, which is scarring and permanent damage to your liver. This damage could eventually lead to liver failure and the need for a liver transplant.."
Diabetes and Liver 

Israel and Hamas: Major Conflict After Surprise Attacks

"Overview

On October 7, 2023, Gaza Strip-based militants led by the Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas (a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, or FTO) engaged in a series of surprise attacks by land, sea, and air against Israel (see Figure 1). The assault targeted Israeli military bases and civilian areas during the final Jewish high holiday, almost exactly 50 years after the Egypt-Syria surprise attack that sparked the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The Biden Administration and Israel have stated publicly that they do not have evidence that the Iranian government had a planning role, but are looking at the question. Some figures from Hamas and the Iran-backed Shia Islamist group Lebanese Hezbollah (also an FTO) haveclaimed that Hamas received support for the attacks from Iran, though a senior Hamas official has denied an Iranian planning role. Iranian officials have praised the assault publicly. The attacks’scope and lethality against Israel have no precedent in the 16 years Hamas has controlled Gaza. The nature of the violence stunned Israelis; apparent intelligence and operational failures in preventing the assault surprised Israeli, U.S., and other Western officials..."
Israel and Hamas