Increase in borrowing by first-time buyers; US bombs targets in Syria; and staff shortages delay new flood forecasting system – The Irish Times

The US is carrying out airstrikes on Iran-linked sites in Syria

The United States has carried out air strikes on facilities in Syria used by Iran and its allies in the region.

The Pentagon said the strikes were in response to “a series of sustained and largely unsuccessful attacks by Iran-backed militia groups on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria” that began on October 17.

US officials said the airstrikes hit arms and ammunition depots, writes Washington correspondent Martin Wall.

Israel-Hamas conflict

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Israel-Hamas conflict

Sir, – Given the high cost of the loss of innocent lives in Gaza, Israel must ask itself: Is the bombing and siege of Gaza the only solution?

It is undesirable that the inevitable hatred and desire for revenge arising from the heinous October 7 attacks cloud the logic behind resolving the current crisis. A simple thought experiment can be helpful in this regard.

Leaving aside the absurdities inherent in such thought experiments, imagine that every person in Gaza who does not pose a threat to Israel, the innocent civilians, is replaced by people who also do not pose a threat to Israel, i.e. Israeli citizens. Now, if the bombing and siege of Gaza kills Israeli citizens instead of Palestinians, would that also be unavoidable collateral damage, or could there be an alternative solution to Israeli security?

– Kind regards, etc. VINCENT O’BRIEN, Moorepark, Co Meath.

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