Israel erupts after surprise attack by Hamas; Russia pounds Ukrainian grain exports

(Originally published Oct. 9 in “What in the World“) The Pentagon sent a carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and the White House promised more military aid to support Israel as it strikes back against a weekend attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Wall Street Journal, quoting senior members of Hamas and fellow Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, said Tehran helped plan the surprise invasion, in which attackers struck from the Gaza Strip on motorcycles and pickup trucks as well as from the sea using paragliders and speed boats. Israel has launched a wave of air strikes inside Gaza in retaliation.

Russia, meanwhile, escalated missile attacks against Ukraine’s grain export infrastructure around the port city of Odesa. Since withdrawing in July from a deal that allowed Ukraine to export wheat, Russia has tried to blockade Ukraine’s ports, forcing it to ship grain through Bulgaria and Romania.