It ain't the being alone

— Check out what we Skimm’d for you today October 16, 2023 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm [Update location]( or [View forecast]( “Welcome to the authors club” — [Will Smith]( responding to his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s new memoir. Available for speaking entanglements...er, engagements. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Will Smith had a thing or two to say about Jada Pinkett Smith’s new memoir #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Top Story Gaza The Story The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has [gotten worse](. What’s the latest? It’s been over one week since Hamas’s deadly terror attacks. Since then, Israel has warned more than [1 million Gazan residents]( to move south as it prepares to potentially escalate its attack on Hamas in the north. The UN warned that the mass evacuation was [not possible]( without “devastating humanitarian consequences.” Israel [extended]( its deadline — and has yet to begin a potential [ground invasion](. Is everyone fleeing? No. Many have stayed back, afraid to leave their homes given reports of violence and airstrikes on the few roads south: last week, Hamas said Israeli strikes killed 70 people and injured 200 others as they fled south. Some are also concerned that leaving home could lead to permanent displacement — like in [1948](. Meanwhile, Hamas told residents to [stay](, dismissing Israel’s warnings as “psychological war.” Now, medics in Gaza are reportedly [warning]( that thousands of patients in hospitals could die as a result of a shortage of fuel and other supplies. Doctors and journalists are still working through near-continuous airstrikes — which have killed more than 2,600 people since last Saturday — reportedly including at least 700 children. What about aid? That’s the key question. Over the past week, Israel cut off access to fuel, food, and water. Yesterday, in apparent response to pressure from the Biden administration, Israel has [reopened]( access to water in southern Gaza. But the country has continued a siege on fuel and electricity. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the [Rafah border crossing]( between Egypt and Gaza will open for those with foreign passports. The goal is to allow humanitarian aid that's been sitting around to get in and to give some the option to leave. Still, it's not clear how long Rafah will be open for and if people will be allowed to return. Why is that? While Egypt has [supported]( humanitarian aid into Gaza through Rafah, the country reportedly [won’t agree]( to take in Gazan refugees. The reason: Egypt worries Hamas militants could join civilians — potentially leading to [security risks](. Egyptian officials also fear an exodus of Palestinians could [overwhelm]( the country, which is reportedly already home to 9 million refugees. And despite being a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, Egypt has long maintained both sides resolve the conflict within their borders. theSkimm The death toll in Gaza in eight days has surpassed the [2014 Gaza War]( lasting 50 days. That human toll — combined with a crisis in access to food, water, and fuel — is expected to climb as Israel prepares for a potential ground invasion. Related Stories - [The Americans Trapped in Gaza]( - [Hospitals in Gaza are Running Low in Supplies]( - [Gazans: “We’re Not Hamas”]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has gotten worse #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR What Is Israel’s Military Objective? To defeat Hamas. On Saturday, October 7th, Hamas launched the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, killing an estimated 1,400 people. It was also the deadliest attack on Jews [since the Holocaust](. Most of the dead were civilians — killed at a music festival, on the streets, and in their homes — including entire families. More than 120 people were taken [hostage](. In response, Israel has announced a war promising to “eliminate Hamas,” including its ability to govern the area. That objective also reportedly includes a focused effort to kill [Yahya Sinwar](, Hamas’s top official. Israel has called up 300,000 reservists, with military officials preparing both for a possible ground invasion as well as a potential [attack from the north](. Iranian-backed [Hezbollah]( militants based in southern Lebanon are threatening to join the conflict, with clashes escalating at the Israel-Lebanon [border](. As for what could happen [next](: If Israel defeats Hamas, Israel says it has [“no interest”]( in staying there, something President Biden said would be a [“big mistake.”]( Instead, Israelis may hope for the return of the [Palestinian Authority](, which governs the West Bank. Another possibility could be an international peacekeeping force. [One Israeli official]( says the country may end up leaving Hamas in power, prioritizing an end to its military capabilities. It’s unclear what Israel could do if it succeeds in eliminating Hamas. For now, Israeli officials say they’re prioritizing immediate military objectives. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Israel's military is promising to "eliminate Hamas" #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) And Also...This Who people are mourning… [Wadea Al-Fayoume](. Over the weekend, an Illinois landlord allegedly fatally stabbed a 6-year-old boy because of his Islamic faith and the Israel-Hamas War. The little boy was stabbed 26 times. The 71-year-old man also seriously injured the boy’s mother after stabbing her more than a dozen times. She remains at a hospital in serious condition and is expected to survive. Their family reportedly identified them as Palestinian American. Authorities [charged]( the man with murder, hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization called it “our worst nightmare.” The DOJ launched a federal hate crimes [investigation](. President Biden said he was “shocked and sickened” by the killing of the boy and added that “this horrific act of hate has no place in America.” --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s still getting its ducks in a row… [House Republicans](. On Friday, they voted for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) to be their new House speaker nominee, but the lawmaker math still isn’t adding up. The new nomination comes after Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) [dropped his candidacy](, and Jordan beat out Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) in a closed-door GOP vote. His popularity amongst hard right Republicans may not be enough to carry him. After a secret vote to gauge support behind him, Jordan only secured 152 votes with 55 against him. That’s still far from the 217 floor votes needed to secure his role as speaker. Rep. Mark Alford (R-TX) said the House could hold a floor vote for Jordan’s speakership tomorrow. Meanwhile, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) [said]( there’ve been “informal conversations” to deal with the speaker vacancy. --------------------------------------------------------------- What had people straining their necks… [A solar eclipse](. Over the weekend, some in the US got to see the “ring of fire” eclipse. The annular eclipse happens when the moon is at or near its farthest point from Earth and directly blocks the sun for a few moments so that it looks like there’s a bright ring around it. It was visible in Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, and a handful of other states. For those in the US who want to mark the next annular eclipse on their calendar, it won’t be happening again until 2039. On the brightside, there will be a [total solar eclipse]( on April 8, 2024, when the moon will completely block the sun. --------------------------------------------------------------- Whose pockets weren’t deep enough... [Rite Aid’s](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who’s got an efecto on the charts... [Bad Bunny.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Who people are remembering... [Suzanne Somers](. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=House Republicans have a new speaker nominee. Part of the US saw a solar eclipse. And Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are making surprise visits #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Forward this to a friend. [Click here](mailto:?&subject=Check out this Daily Skimm newsletter&body=Check it out . Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. A do-it-all Dutch oven that just might make you a cooking expert overnight. [This colorful cast iron Dutch oven]( will braise, roast, saute, sear, or fry your food to finger-licking perfection. Not to mention it’s dishwasher safe. Psst…snag it before it sells out.* [Shop on]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Fall accessories to complete your chilly-weather outfits. All the [hats](, [gloves](, and [other extras]( you need to take on the season (and look good while doing it). [Check them out]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Moving essentials that'll make the process a little smoother. Whether you're moving into a studio apartment in a city or a family home in the suburbs, [these key tools]( will keep your stress levels down. [Take a look]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 4. We tested the chicest earplugs on the market. Finally, a set of earplugs that look discreet and truly work. Read our full review [here](. [Find out more]( Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). Skimm'rs We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community. Deepening roots…Hannah T (CA). She’s celebrating four years of entrepreneurship this month. Her company [Grow Tall]( is a boutique consulting firm that helps youth and communities of color. (Some) Birthdays…Sam Schechter (FL), theSkimm's Alex Carr (NY), theSkimm's Caroline Schaefer (NY), Drew Goins (NC), Melissa Gray (IN), Stephanie Simpson (IL), Emily Karl (DC), Rachael King (CA), M.E. Hart (LA), Lindsey Henley (AR), Lisa Schaedler (KS), Christina Womble (CT), Kim Thomas (PA), Aleka Dey (SC), Eunice Jung (CA ), Kayla Williamson (IN) PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out [here]( for a chance to be featured. Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Alex Carr, Maria Corpus, Chantal Vaca, and Julie Shain --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by via Anadolu Agency/Contributor Getty Images, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? 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