Tuesday morning news: October 10, 2023

SOUND: [Israel strike]

KENT COVINGTON, NEWS ANCHOR: Israel continues counterattack » Israel continues to strike back at Hamas.

SOUND: [Israel strike]

As Israeli missiles homed in on Hamas hideouts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the terror group—in his words “will understand that by attacking us, they have made a mistake of historic proportions.”

NETANYAHU: We will exact a price that will be remembered by them and Israel’s other enemies for decades to come.

The death toll on both sides since Saturday has topped 1,500.

While Western allies say Israel has every right to defend itself, some global leaders are now calling for a ceasefire.

But Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog says that’s like asking Americans to lay down arms the day after 9-11.

HERZOG: Hundreds of Israelis were massacred. This was a brutal attack by a terror organization, and we have to destroy that war machine. And we will not stop until we destroy it.

Israeli forces have called up an unprecedented 300,000 reserve troops.

They are also enforcing a strict blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Biden to address nation about Israel war » President Biden will address the nation this afternoon about the war between Israel and Hamas.

At least 11 Americans were killed in weekend terror attacks against Israel.

And National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters:

KIRBY: We have to accept the very grim possibility and the likelihood that there are Americans being held hostage.

U.S. troops are not expected to put boots on the ground in this war, but the Pentagon is supporting Israeli forces.

Reuters reports that the US is surging fresh supplies of air defenses, munitions, and more to Israel.

Speaker » But Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Monday:

WORMUTH: One thing that is really important in terms of the munitions in particular and our ability to support both potentially the Israelis and the Ukrainians simultaneously is additional funding from Congress.

But that will not happen without a speaker in the House.

Republicans are expected to hold a test vote behind closed doors this week to try and settle on a replacement for the now-former Speaker Kevin McCarthy … who told reporters:

MCCARTHY: Well, let’s be honest about our conference, alright? Is our conference just going to select somebody to try to throw ‘em out in another 35 days if eight people don’t get exactly what they want and 96% of the conference does?

McCarthy is strongly hinting that he’s willing to return to the role if a handful of lawmakers who voted to oust him last week change their mind.

California Senate candidates » Meantime, several Democratic House lawmakers are vying for the seat of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. They are U.S. Representatives Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, and Adam Schiff.

SCHIFF: When we were each called upon to defend our democracy against the most corrupt president in U.S. history, I stepped into the middle of the ring and impeached Donald Trump.

He was the lead prosecutor in Trump’s first impeachment.

The three California lawmakers faced off this week in a debate in Los Angeles.

Voters will have their say next November. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the seat until then.

Schumer China » Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer met one on one with China’s President Xi Jin Ping for more than an hour on Monday.

Schumer said he tackled several pressing issues with the Chinese leader .

Schumer: We must address the Chinese government's forced technology transfers, theft of intellectual property, required joint ventures and intimidation of US businesses operating in China.

He said stopping the flow of fentanyl from China is another top priority.

Schumer’s leading a non-partisan delegation of a half-dozen senators to China.

Robert F. Kennedy » A presidential candidate made an announcement Monday that could shake up the battle for the White House.

Robert F Kennedy Jr. was already running for president. But now he’s doing so as an independent.

Kennedy: I haven't made this decision lightly. I can stand before you as every leader should, should stand up for you free of partisan allegiance. Freed from the backroom deals. Servant, only to my conscience to my Creator, and to you.

He had been running for the Democratic nomination up till now. But some polls suggest Kennedy may have greater appeal to Republican voters.

And party leaders fear he may peel away just enough GOP votes to sway the election in President Biden’s favor.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: the history behind Hamas’s attack on Israel. Plus, painting life on a blank canvas.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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