TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected criticism of a decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the 2024 missile strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy that killed seven people, including Australian aid worker, Zomi Frankcom.

Mr Netanyahu said he stood by the findings of an internal investigation by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) into the attack.

“The IDF looks at all deaths that occur as a result of its military actions in Gaza,” he said. “In this instance the IDF mistakenly identified a security guard engaged by World Central Kitchen for an armed Hamas fighter.

“So it is understandable that the missile strike was launched and that people died as a result.

“This finding is in line with previous investigations into similar IDF missile strikes where a Hamas fighter was mistakenly identified, just a few of which I have pinpointed on an aerial surveillance photo to illustrate my point. (main picture)

“In fact the IDF has mistaken Palestinians and their babies or small children, as well as aid workers, paramedics, hospital staff, journalists, and others for armed Hamas fighters on no fewer than 73,400 occasions since October 2023.

“I have to concede that in the fog of war there is every chance that such mistaken identities will lead to even more deaths in the future. In the very near future. Like, as we speak. I certainly hope so,” Mr Netanyahu added.

***

FUTTBUCK, OH: US President Donald Trump has rallied followers at a Make America Great Again rally in rural Ohio by pointing to his “incomparable record on national debt”.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters in the town of Futtbuck, Mr Trump pointed to news reports that US national debt had reached a record US$40 trillion. (below)

“Today I can declare another new record for my administration,” Mr Trump said before disclosing the figure to the crowd.

“This could only have happened under my leadership. Certainly sleepy senile sex pest Joe Biden, or communist terrorist Barack Saddam Hussein Obama would never have broken such a record,” he added as the crowd took its feet, began cheering and chanting loudly: “USA!, USA!, USA!”

***

SYDNEY: Online gambling firms say they remain confident that they can continue to operate profitably in Australia despite planned new laws agreed to in a deal between the federal Labor Party government and the Liberal-National opposition parties.

An industry source who did not wish to be named said their initial analysis of the new laws suggested their firm could work within the laws and remain profitable.

“I’ll make a very simple bet with anyone that my company and other online agencies will be able to meet the demands of the new laws and still operate successfully,” he said.

“In fact I’m willing to frame an all-in boxed quaddie with a bet-with-mates, double-or-nothing corner wager with expanding wilds for anyone who wants to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to the future of our industry.

“If anyone thinks the industry faces collapse as a result of the new laws, I’ll offer a head-to-head match play round-robin exacta with a same-game wild-card multi-running double that they are dead wrong,” he added.

Want to be alerted immediately a new blog hits Australia’s longest running and most offensive satire site? Simply click on the Follow sign to be emailed new yarns the moment they are uploaded! The very second we go far too far – and trust us we will – you can then quickly unfollow via the three dots!