While the world is watching Gaza, violence fuels growing tensions in the occupied West Bank

• October 15, 2023

By JULIA FRANKEL and JOSEPH KRAUSS

JERUSALEM — While the world is focused on the war in Gaza, tensions have risen in the occupied West Bank, where 55 Palestinians were killed over the past week in clashes with Israeli troops, arrest raids and attacks by Jewish settlers. U.N. monitors said it was the deadliest week for Palestinians in the territory since at least 2005.

Since Hamas’ deadly mass incursion into southern Israel, in which militants killed over 1,300 people and captured around 150, Israeli forces have held the West Bank under a tight grip, closing crossings into the territory and checkpoints between cities, measures they say are aimed at preventing attacks.

Friday was a particularly deadly day, with 16 Palestinians killed in different incidents in the West Bank.

LATEST IN ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR: Gaza’s desperate civilians flee or huddle in hopes of safety, as warnings of Israeli offensive mount

The military says it has arrested 220 people in raids across the West Bank, including 130 Hamas operatives, since last weekend’s attack. Hamas militants are present in the West Bank, but largely operate underground because of Israel’s tight grip on the territory.

The renewed crackdown comes as Israel is concerned about the conflict escalating into a multi-front war, particularly the possibility of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia also joining the battle.

But Palestinians say the latest Israeli measures in the West Bank have only further blurred the line between security forces and radical, violent settlers. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right settler with a long history of anti-Arab incitement, responded to the Hamas attack by distributing more weapons to the already well-armed settler population and tasking settlers with security.

In a statement earlier this week, he said his office is distributing 10,000 firearms, as well as combat gear, protective vests and helmets, to Israeli civilians — with a particular focus on residents of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

“We will change the world so that the settlements will be protected,” he said. “I have ordered the massive arming of the civilian standby units in order to protect the settlements and the cities.”

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On Friday, a video showed a settler with an assault rifle walking into the village of Al-Tuwani in the southern West Bank and shooting a Palestinian point blank.

Two days earlier, settlers shot dead three Palestinians in the village of Qusra, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus. On Thursday, settlers attacked their funeral, killing another two men, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Video footage showed the settlers swerving their cars into the funeral procession before stopping and opening fire.

On Thursday, settlers arrived at Wadi Seeq, a small Bedouin village home to around 200 people in the central West Bank, as Palestinians there packed up their belongings. They had already moved all of the women, children and livestock to a safer area in recent days because of rising threats, a resident of the village said. Witnesses said that the settlers opened fire, wounding three Palestinians and driving the rest out of the village.

Abdelrahman Kaabni, the head of the Wadi Seeq village council, said that soldiers and police had taken part in the attack, beating and arresting residents. As the villagers of Wadi Seeq fled settler violence, they left behind cisterns, livestock, solar panels and two vehicles. “The settlers took everything, and now they’re squatting in our homes,” Kaabni said.

Wadi Seeq is the sixth Bedouin village to have pulled up stakes in the last year in response to an uptick in settler attacks. Many more are in danger of being completely displaced, according to the West Bank Protection Consortium, a coalition of aid groups and donor countries, including the European Union, that support Palestinian communities.

Neither COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for civilian affairs, nor the Israeli military responded to requests for comment. In the past, authorities have said troops only open fire in response to threats or to disperse violent protests and that soldiers protect Palestinians from settler attacks.

The U.N. said last month that 1,100 Palestinians had been displaced by settler violence in the last year, an unprecedented figure. Over just the last few days, around 200 to 300 Palestinians have been displaced in Wadi Seeq and other areas, the consortium said — often by settlers who are armed.

“They’re leaving now because they feel completely unprotected. They’re so scared of those settlers who have come in and threatened them,” said Allegra Pacheco, who heads the consortium.

Most of the attacks come from settler outposts established without government authorization but protected by the Israeli army. Over 500,000 Jewish settlers live in nearly 150 settlements across the West Bank, which is home to some 2.5 million Palestinians. The international community overwhelmingly views settlements as illegal and a major obstacle to peace. Israel captured the West Bank, along with Gaza and east Jerusalem, in the 1967 war. The Palestinians want the territories for their future state.

On Saturday, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari appeared to be calling on settlers to stand down, saying: “The responsibility for security in the settlements and on the roads lies with the army alone.”

But messages continued to circulate on WhatsApp groups that Jewish settlers have created since the start of the war to coordinate operations in the West Bank. A description of one chat group with over 800 participants told residents to prepare for “the possibility of mobilizing for a joint activity with the security forces for the immediate demolition of terrorist houses.”

The message urged residents to “eliminate” any Palestinian approaching a settlement.

“From the stories flowing in from the Gaza Strip, it is clear that we cannot rely on the army alone to be able to protect us in a time of chaos,” it read. “Are you ready for war?”

​ Orange County Register 

Police temporarily close stretch of 405 freeway as thousands march in pro-Palestinian demonstration

• October 15, 2023

Thousands marched from the Israeli Consulate in West Los Angeles to the Federal Building in Westwood on Saturday, Oct. 14, forcing the temporary shutdown of part of the 405 Freeway as demonstrators called for Palestinian rights and Israel prepared for a large-scale, coordinated attack against Hamas in the Gaza strip.

The protesters joined planned demonstrations in other U.S. cities calling for the liberation of Gaza and of Palestinians.

A rally held by the Palestinian Youth Movement and other organizations are in front of the Consulate General of Israel on Saturday, Oct. 14. Scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. there are already over 100 people rallying in support of the Palestinian people. @ladailynews pic.twitter.com/SuAYwzDMzn

— Christina Merino (@christinam_love) October 14, 2023

As local protesters held up signs demanding to “free Palestine” and chanted “Israel, Israel you can’t hide,” Palestinians in Gaza struggled Saturday to flee from areas of their city targeted by the Israeli military. They were grappling with a growing water and medical supply shortage ahead of the expected land offensive a week after Hamas’ bloody, wide-ranging attack into Israel targeting civilians.

From the consulate, Saturday’s demonstration became a march to the Federal Building, with thousands filling Wilshire Boulevard and holding up Palestinian flags.

While the violence represents a new war in a region that has seen many, their demand was the same as it has been for generations — to free the Palestinian Territories from what the United Nations considers Israeli occupation, despite Israel’s claim otherwise.

Hamas rejects a proposed “two-state solution” — the peace initiative that seeks a Palestinian state established in territory that Israel captured in 1967 — and is sworn to Israel’s destruction. Israel has said a Palestinian state must be demilitarized so as not to threaten Israel.

During the march to the Federal Building, police in riot gear held off marchers from walking onto the 405 after about a dozen tried to get onto the busy freeway. A group of five or so appeared to get access to the top of a hill and started waving a flag.

I want to give you an idea of the sheer size of this crowd as it’s coming up Wilshire, a very trafficked street on a busy afternoon. It’s been months since there was a protest that approached this size, showing just how strongly people feel about this major conflict. pic.twitter.com/Gr3LSwIHNn

— Emily Holshouser (@emilyytayylor) October 14, 2023

In another encounter, a car waving an Israeli flag drove past and people threw objects at it, grabbed the flag and trampled it.

By 3 p.m., LAPD officers had formed a riot line. But tensions with police appeared to flare again when a man holding an Israeli flag approached some people. Police separated everyone after a few minutes.

A small group of counterprotesters were present on Saturday in West L.A, representing Jewish communities in the U.S., France and elsewhere, which have held rallies and vigils in solidarity with Israel after the Hamas attack, the deadliest killing spree against Israeli civilians in the country’s 75-year history.

Jews also gathered at synagogues this weekend for Shabbat services held amid the ongoing war ignited by Hamas militants. Rabbis led prayers of peace and grieved with their congregations. At many synagogues, security was tight.

And across the world, where the war is taking place, the violence did not appear to be easing. A humanitarian disaster was looming, United Nations officials warned.

In an update Saturday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said 2,215 civilians, including 724 children and 458 women, have been killed since the conflict broke out one week ago.

Israel’s military said Hamas’ attack and ongoing rocket fire from Gaza had killed more than 1,300 people and left at least 3,200 wounded as of Friday. At least 29 Americans are known to be among the dead, a State Department spokesperson confirmed Saturday

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Gaza’s desperate civilians flee or huddle in hopes of safety, as warnings of Israeli offensive mount

The attacks continued Saturday, with Hamas launching rockets into Israel and Israel carrying out strikes in Gaza.

An Israeli airstrike near the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza killed at least 27 people and wounded another 80, Gaza health authorities said. Most of the victims were women and children, the authorities said. Doctors from Kamal Edwan Hospital shared chaotic footage of charred and disfigured bodies.

It was not clear how many Palestinians remained in northern Gaza by Saturday afternoon, said Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. An estimated 1 million people have been displaced in Gaza in one week, she said.

The is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

​ Orange County Register 

ALCS: Astros look to continue Lone Star dominance of Rangers

• October 15, 2023

HOUSTON — Houston dominated Texas during the regular season, winning nine of 13 matchups.

Now the Rangers get another chance at the Astros when they meet for the first time in the playoffs in a Texas-sized showdown with a trip to the World Series on the line starting Sunday night in Houston.

The Astros completed the regular season matchup against the Rangers with a three-game sweep at the beginning of September. Houston hit 16 homers to sweep that series by a combined score of 39-10.

But despite the lopsided results this season, both teams say they’ll start with a clean slate for the American League Championship Series.

“Regular season doesn’t mean anything anymore,” Houston Game 1 starter Justin Verlander said. “And I think it’s a different game. Playoffs is a different brand of baseball.”

That series in September was during the worst slump of the season for the Rangers, who were without third baseman Josh Jung and who lost Adolis García during the series.

Texas first baseman Nathaniel Lowe also noted that 21-year-old outfielder Evan Carter wasn’t even in the majors the last time the Rangers met the Astros.

“I think we were missing two or three bats, two or three starting bats. Evan was still in high school,” Lowe joked. “We had a couple pieces that weren’t fully, fully firing on all pistons.”

Houston’s success in the head-to-head matchup allowed the Astros to win the AL West while the Rangers had to play in the Wild Card Series after both teams finished with 90-72 records.

Now both teams are back to full strength and prepared to fight for the Lone Star state crown.

This isn’t the first time Houston manager Dusty Baker has experienced a high stakes, in-state postseason matchup.

As manager of the San Francisco Giants in 2002, he lost the World Series to the Anaheim Angels.

“In California, we were in the World Series, two teams, us and the Angels, battling for bragging rights in California,” he said. “But everything is bigger in Texas. I’ve learned that since I’ve been here.”

Outfielder Robbie Grossman is in his first season with the Rangers but is well-acquainted with the rivalry, after going to high school in suburban Houston and spending his first three big league seasons with the Astros.

“It’s huge for baseball, but it’s even bigger for the state of Texas,” he said. “Just being a Texan, I know how much both these teams mean to the state.”

Verlander will face left-hander Jordan Montgomery on Sunday night.

Verlander, who returned to Houston in a July trade from the Mets, will make his 36th playoff start. The three-time Cy Young Award winner pitched six scoreless innings in the Division Series opener against Minnesota to extend his franchise record with his 10th postseason win.

This will be the fourth playoff start for Montgomery and third this season. Montgomery, acquired from St. Louis this summer, has had an up-and-down postseason after throwing seven shutout innings in the Wild Card Series before allowing four earned runs and nine hits in just four innings in Game 2 of the ALDS.

He talked about his struggles against the Orioles.

“Everything was a little un-synced up,” he said. “So just got to find my timing and execute more pitches.”Houston’s Framber Valdez opposes Nathan Eovaldi in Game 2 on Monday.

MAD MAX BACK?

Texas starter Max Scherzer is expected to return for this series after being out since Sept. 12 because of a muscle strain in his shoulder.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner, also traded from the Mets this summer, said he was “ready to go” after throwing a bullpen session and doing fielding drills Friday.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy was asked if Scherzer would be included on the ALCS roster Saturday.

“Max is doing well,” Bochy said. “He’s done well. After workout today, we get together, we’ll get the staff, of course, (general manager) Chris Young and his staff, and we’ll talk about the roster. But he’s doing really well.”

Scherzer is 7-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 27 postseason games that include 22 starts. If he appears for Rangers, it would be the fifth team he has pitched for in the postseason after Detroit, Washington, the Dodgers and Mets.

ABREU’S STREAK

Houston reliever Bryan Abreu enters the ALCS with a 31-inning scoreless streak in his last 30 appearances.

Abreu, who hasn’t allowed a run since July 18, hasn’t been scored on in the postseason in 14 2/3 innings, which spans 14 appearances dating back to last year.

Abreu, who normally pitches the eighth inning before handing things off to closer Ryan Pressly, has allowed two hits in 3 1/3 innings over three appearances this postseason.

“As a pitcher you just have to be calm and be ready to execute every single pitch and keep attacking the strike zone,” he said. “If you let everything outside go through your head … you’ll lose focus.”

FRIENDLY WAGER

Arlington Mayor Jim Ross proposed a wager to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner that the loser of the series would have to wear the winner’s jersey to a city council meeting.

Turner quickly agreed and wrote on X: “Since I’ve been mayor, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the Astros win the World Series… twice, so I accept.”

​ Orange County Register 

Saturday’s eclipse excites viewers

• October 15, 2023

A shadow was cast Saturday over what was otherwise a lovely warm and bright October morning.

And it was so cool.

Over the span of a couple of hours, the moon eased its way in front of the sun, creating a solar eclipse that had folks looking up to the sky.

Several organizations hosted viewing parties, including OC Parks at the nature center at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano where viewers gathered with chairs and blankets and their special glasses made for watching the eclipse.

It was most coverage of the solar surface in an eclipse visible in Southern California until 2045.

Come watch the eclipse with us!

We’re streaming today’s “ring of fire” eclipse—also known as an annular solar eclipse—with live updates from Oregon to Texas. #AskNASA your questions! https://t.co/m69JrxrMKS https://t.co/CRMmOdx9Fg

— NASA (@NASA) October 14, 2023

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​ Orange County Register 

Laiatu Latu, UCLA football live updates vs. Oregon State

• October 15, 2023

Follow along for live updates from UCLA football reporter James H. Williams before, during and after UCLA’s game against the Oregon State Beavers.

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Tweets by JHWreporter https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The UCLA Bruins get another tough test this week against the Oregon State Beavers and their stout offensive line in Corvallis. https://t.co/zaqQgSFGV1

— James H. Williams covers UCLA football (@JHWreporter) October 13, 2023

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​ Orange County Register 

Caleb Williams, USC football live updates vs. Notre Dame

• October 15, 2023

Follow along for live updates from USC football reporter Luca Evans before, during and after the Trojans’ game against Notre Dame.

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When Lincoln Riley first got to USC, he didn’t know if De’jon Benton could “make it” as a Trojan.

But Benton’s found himself, in part, through an outlet in spoken-word. Tupac Shakur’s first manager Leila Steinberg says he has a “special mind”: https://t.co/ijaSv1fnpL

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) October 13, 2023

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​ Orange County Register 

Piper Laurie, cruel mom in ‘Carrie,’ dies at age 91

• October 14, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Actress Piper Laurie, best known for her haunting turn as an abusively devout mother in the 1976 horror classic “Carrie,” died in Los Angeles Saturday at the age of 91, according to multiple media reports.

Laurie had been ill for some time, her manager Marion Rosenberg told reporters.

Rosenberg called her “one of the most remarkable and versatile actresses of her day, a brilliant and creative mind, and a glorious human being.”

Laurie appeared in over 100 films and television shows over her long and varied career. Many of her performances were critically praised, including her role opposite Paul Newman in 1961’s “The Hustler,” a key part in 1986’s “Children of a Lesser God,” and a recurring role in the 1990s television show “Twin Peaks.”

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Many audiences know her best from “Carrie,” however. Her chilling portrayal of Margaret White, the fanatic and frighteningly overprotective mother of the shy high school student played by Sissy Spacek, gave a distinctive depth to Brian De Palma’s film of Stephen King’s novel.

Laurie was nominated for three Oscars during her career, and received Emmy nominations for “Twin Peaks” in 1990 and 1991.

Her last credit was a role as the grandmother of an FBI informant-turned drug dealer in 2018’s “White Boy Rick,” which starred Matthew McConaughey.

​ Orange County Register 

Germany defeats U.S. in men’s soccer exhibition as Gio Reyna returns

• October 14, 2023

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Niclas Füllkrug and Jamal Musiala scored three minutes apart early in the second half, and Germany rallied to beat the United States 3-1 in an exhibition Saturday as Gio Reyna played under American coach Gregg Berhalter for the first time since their family feud erupted.

Christian Pulisic put the 11th-ranked U.S. ahead in the 27th minute, and İlkay Gündogan tied the score in the 39th. Füllkrug got the go-ahead goal in the 58th, and Musiala padded the margin in the 61st as No. 15 Germany won its first match since Julian Nagelsmann replaced Hansi Flick as coach.

Reyna, his hair newly dyed blond, played the first half in his first start since fracturing his right leg in a CONCACAF Nations League match against Canada in June. The 20-year-old midfielder had been limited since the injury to a 27-minute substitute appearance for Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Oct. 7.

Berhalter said during a management conference after the tournament that he nearly sent a player home from Qatar for lack of effort during training, remarks clearly about Reyna.

Reyna’s parents, former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna and midfielder Danielle Egan, contacted the U.S. Soccer Federation about a three-decades-old domestic violence allegation involving Berhalter and the woman who later became his wife. Berhalter was replaced by a pair of interim coaches and, after a law firm retained by the United States Soccer Federation determined he did not improperly withhold information when he was hired in 2018, was rehired to resume coaching in September.

The U.S. went ahead when Pulisic accelerated around Jonathan Tah, cut to the center and turned around Antonio Rüdiger, then lifted a shot to Marc-André ter Stegen’s upper left corner for his 27th goal in 63 international appearances.

Gündoğan tied the score with his 18th international goal and first since the World Cup. Leroy Sané spun left back Sergiño Dest, cut across the top of the penalty area and twice exchanged passes with Gündoğan. After goalkeeper Matt Turner committed, Sané poked the ball to Gündoğan for an open shot from close range.

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Once Reyna was replaced by Luca de la Torre, Germany dominated.

Füllkrug beat Turner to the far post from 12 yards for his eighth goal in 10 appearances after Robin Gosens slid a pass past Chris Richards. Musiala got his second international goal, racing ahead of Tim Ream after Füllkrug beat Turner to a deflection and then centered the ball.

German midfielder Chris Führich made his international debut when he entered in the 81st minute.

​ Orange County Register