The President's Daily Brief - December 14th, 2023: Cash for Hamas, Gaza Tunnels Flooded, & South Korea's Warning

Episode Date: December 14, 2023

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:   A New York Times report unveils a decades-long strategy by the Israeli government, allegedly supporting Hamas in Gaza through substantial cash payments.   Israel begins pumping seawater into the underground terror tunnels beneath Gaza.   South Korea's defense minister issues a dire warning to North Korea, following the abandonment of a pivotal 2018 military agreement, signaling potential severe repercussions.   In our Back of the Brief segment, we delve into the latest development in the Hunter Biden controversy as the president’s son confronts Congressional inquiries with defiance.   Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.   Email: [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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You talking to me? Kayak, got that right. It's Thursday, December 14th. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. Let's get briefed. We'll lead off today's program with a report from the New York Times, which claims that for several years, the Israeli government actively helped to prop up Hamas in Gaza by encouraging millions of dollars in cash payments to the group. Later in the program, we'll take a look at how Israel's military has begun pumping seawater into Hamas's tunnels below Gaza as part of an effort

to destroy the underground infrastructure. Plus, South Korea's defense minister issued a stern warning to North Korea, telling the hermit kingdom it faces, quote, the hell of destruction after abandoning a 2018 key military agreement. Finally, in today's back of the brief, a new twist in the Hunter Biden saga as the president's son tells Congress to take a hike. But first up, the PDB spotlight. Over the past two months, we've watched as Israel has exacted retribution against Hamas following the brutal October 7th attacks. But what if before October 7th, the Israeli government was actively helping to prop up Hamas

in Gaza? Well, there's a chance, as strange as it sounds, that that's what was happening. I want to bring your attention to a report by the New York Times that claims the Israeli government was actually working to prop up and essentially buy the cooperation of Hamas for the past decade. The in-depth report brings in light a long-standing policy described by critics of Prime Minister Netanyahu as, quote,

buying quiet. This approach involved Israel not only tolerating but actively encouraging the Qatari government to send millions of dollars monthly into the Gaza Strip. These payments came in the form of suitcases filled with cash that were at times escorted to their final destination by Israeli intelligence officers. The rationale behind the strategy, which was reportedly implemented for a decade or so, was a high-stakes gamble by Prime Minister Netanyahu. The belief was that a steady cash flow would maintain peace in Gaza, focusing Hamas on governance rather than military engagement and terrorist actions.

The money from Qatar was supposed to go toward keeping the Gaza government running and humanitarian efforts, things like paying government salaries and buying fuel to keep a power plant running. Israel's domestic security service, Shembet, was tasked with monitoring the cash recipients to prevent the money from falling into the hands of Hamas' military wing, the Al-Kasamburgades. Now, despite these measures, Israeli intelligence now believes, according to the Times report, that this money, at least indirectly, contributed to the 7th October attacks. They suspect that Hamas was skimming the cash disbursements, and since money's fungible,

the donations allowed Hamas to divert some of its own budget toward military operations. While Israel was allowing these suitcases of cash to enter into Gaza, Gutter was also allegedly directly funding Hamas' military wing through other means, something that Israel allegedly knew about. Obviously, this whole arrangement has drawn criticism from Netanyahu's own cabinet and security establishment, with some viewing it as a form of appeasement or bribery. According to the report, the Netanyahu government simply didn't, believe that Hamas was a major threat and certainly not capable of the action that took place on

October 7th. Instead, they were focusing on broader regional concerns like Iran's nuclear program and Iranian proxies like Hezbollah. This policy of containment was aimed at keeping Hamas in check while Israel addressed these larger strategic issues. Now, at the same time, Hamas, under the tutelage of the Iranian regime's IRGC, was engaged in what was essentially a covert action campaign, creating the impression within the Israeli government that Hamas, as an organization, was not interested in further military conflict with Israel. It was a disinformation effort, designed to lull Israel into a false sense of peace, to believe that Hamas was becoming more interested in a long-term cessation of hostilities. Now that, obviously,

was a massive smoke screen designed to hide their true intentions and their extensive planning for the slaughter of 7 October. All right, when we come back, Israel's military begins destroying the tunnels below Gaza, and South Korea issues a stark warning to Kim Jong-un. I'll be right back. Olivia Rodriguez, the Unravel Tour, North America with special guests. Get tickets Thursday, May 7th at Olivia Rodrigo.com. This episode is brought to you by Redfin.

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Israel has reportedly begun an operation to pump seawater into the vast tunnel networks underneath Gaza in an effort to flood out Hamas fighters and to prevent future use of the tunnels by the terrorist organization. The effort is still in its early stages and it's expected to take weeks, according to an exclusive report from the Wall Street Journal. U.S. officials briefed on the operation on Monday, stressed that the flooding so far is minimal, encompassing only a limited number of tunnels. The IDF is reportedly experimenting with the tactic to determine its effectiveness when compared to other possible eradication methods, including air strikes, drones, targeted explosives, and even robots. The IDF has been increasingly

concerned about sending troops into the tunnels, citing the risk of booby-tracks. traps. Israeli officials have declined to elaborate on their strategy regarding the tunnels, which have been critical to Hamas's ability to avoid IDF military strikes and to move weapons, fighters, and hostages taken during the 7 October attacks. While Israel has established control of roughly 40% of Gaza above ground, the tunnels remain a significant hurdle to their ability to defeat Hamas and to recover the remaining 140. hostages. Israel has reportedly installed seven pumps to date, which will flood water from the Mediterranean into the tunnels. They're an estimated 300 miles of tunnels crisscrossing Gaza in what is known as the

Gaza Metro. U.S. officials appear conflicted on the operation. While the Biden administration concedes that the tactic will likely destroy at least portions of the tunnel network, they fear it could also endanger Gaza's fresh water supply, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region. Of course, there would be a much more robust and efficient water system in Gaza if Hamas hadn't diverted humanitarian funds over many years for their own purposes. It's worth mentioning also that the Egyptian government has used this same flooding technique several times over the years in an effort to curb smuggling into the Sinai Peninsula. As an example in 2013 and 2015, Egypt pumped sewage and seawater into tunnels being used by

militants in Gaza, ultimately destroying nearly two dozen tunnels. Of course, there are also fears regarding the remaining hostages in Gaza, who may be being held inside the tunnel network. In audio leaked last week, the families of hostages were heard angrily telling us. killing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that they feared the flooding tactic risked killing those still being held by Hamas. Israel is facing increasing international pressure over their operations to root out Hamas and Gaza, including from the U.S. As we discussed yesterday on the PDB, President Biden openly criticized Israel on Tuesday while speaking to Democratic donors in Washington,

D.C., saying that Netanyahu's hardline response is causing international support for Israel to erode. All right, let's turn our attention to the Korean Peninsula, where tensions are quickly mounting following the collapse of an inter-Korean military pact last month. South Korea's defense minister issued a strong warning on Wednesday, saying, quote, North Korea has only two choices, peace or destruction. If North Korea makes reckless actions that harm peace, only a hell of destruction awaits them, end quote. The defense minister was speaking at a meeting of top commanders who were engaging in military preparations to guard against any potential provocations or attacks from the north. These discussions included drawing up

preemptive strike plans against North Korea. As a reminder, reminder, both North and South Korea pulled out of a 2018 comprehensive military agreement in late November of this year, following a series of escalations by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. On November 21st of this year, North Korea set off international alarm bells when they used an ICBM to launch their first spy satellite into orbit. Following the launch, South Korea announced they would be suspending aspects of the 2018 inter-Korean agreement. and would resume reconnaissance and surveillance operations along their border with North Korea. Officials in North Korea responded by voiding the entire agreement.

Their forces have since been seen reoccupying numerous abandoned guardposts along the border and moving heavy weaponry into the area. Adding to the concerns, North Korean defectors in the South have recently stated their intent to resume a campaign in the spring to send leaflet carrying balloons across the border into North Korea with messages speaking out against Kim Jong-un and his repressive regime. Now, North Korean officials have condemned such activity as psychological warfare and just last month threatened to, quote, pour a shower of shells on South Korea if such activity resumed.

Analysts say that it's highly likely that North Korea will fire anti-aircraft guns at the balloons, which would likely force a resumed. response from South Korea, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. Without the 2018 agreement in place to help foster a diplomatic solution, analysts have said it could serve as the spark that sets off a wider conflict. Observers who have called the 2018 Inter-Korean Pact a safety pin for peace are increasingly anxious that the already fragile situation will continue to deteriorate. Now, officials in North Korea, have, and here's no surprise, blamed the U.S. in South Korea for aggravating the regional tension.

After the 2018 Inter-Korean agreement collapsed last month, North Korea said that Seoul would be, quote, wholly accountable in case an irretrievable clash breaks out. All right, coming up in the back of the brief, Hunter Biden strikes a defiant tone, openly refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena. I'll be right back. You tell yourself, no one wants your college-era band teas, but on Deepop, people are searching for exactly what you've got. You once paid a small fortune for them at merch stands.

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The president's son openly defied a congressional subpoena yesterday, labeling the Republicans' investigation into his family as illegitimate. This defiance came just hours before a GOP-led House vote to formally launch an impeachment probe into his father, President Biden. addressing the media in front of the Capitol building, Hunter Biden said, quote, Let me state as clearly as I can. My father was not financially involved in my business, end quote. Despite refusing to comply with the House Republicans' demand for a closed-door testimony, Biden did express his willingness to testify publicly.

Now, the focus of congressional and legal scrutiny has been on Hunter Biden's overseas business activities and allegations of tax evasion. Republicans are attempting to establish a connection between Hunter's dealings and his father's influence. Just last week, the U.S. Justice Department brought charges against Hunter Biden, including three felony and six misdemeanor tax offenses, alleging that Hunter skipped out on paying $1.4 million in federal taxes. Now, obviously, Congressional Republicans aren't particularly happy with Hunter's defiance. Jim Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced on Wednesday that they would initiate contempt of Congress proceedings

against Hunter Biden. It's worth noting that Steve Bannon was charged with contempt to Congress for the very same thing, defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating January 6th. Bannon was found guilty on two counts of contempt and sentenced to four months in prison. Now, not to boast, but I'm not a lawyer. However, let's revisit that particular statement from Hunter Biden while standing in front of the Capitol building. Again, he said, let me state as clearly as I can. My father was not financially involved in my business. A couple of points to note here. First, there is no way that the White House, or the president's

legal team or Hunter's legal team would have said, hey, Hunter, show up on the Capitol steps and make a statement. Yeah, say whatever you want. Just wing it. His statement would have been lawyered to debt and reviewed by the White House counsel and others. So every word has been considered and agreed upon. The second point is the word financially. Hunter stated that his dad was not financially involved in his business. You'll recall that we started this entire escapade, with the president clearly stating he had no involvement or knowledge whatsoever of Hunter's various business dealings and activities. Now, that has obviously changed, as we've seen evidence of the president meeting with business associates, taking phone calls,

and generally being engaged as his son and family used the Biden name and position to extract money from various overseas business enterprises. So the story now will be that the president was involved, but not in the financial side of the business. Look, transparency at the top levels of government should be a concern whether you're a Democrat or Republican. If you're spun up about Trump and are demanding answers in clarity, then you should feel the same way about your team and the need for accountability and answers to questions about potentially questionable dealings. Obviously, that's not how it plays out in the real world. Democrats who have chased Trump for years now, claiming various levels of malfeasance and shenanigans,

now refuse to even consider that there's been pay-for-play or improper use of power for enrichment purposes on the part of the president and his family. In fact, they're completely dismissive and declare it a witch-hunt, and they do that without any sense of irony or self-awareness after having spent years chasing the Russia collusion story. Now, I've spent enough time in Washington, D.C.,

to know that Hunter and the Biden family were making hands, off the president's position. It's not rocket science to understand that. It's the age-old DC game. The question is, did the president financially benefit from his family's business dealings using his position, and did that have any impact on U.S. government actions, decisions, or behavior? Just as with the Trump investigations and various inquiries there, the public has a right to know, if you don't apply the rules the same way for both sides, you might as well turn the line. lights out and watch the sunset on this amazing republic of ours. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily Brief for Thursday, 14 December.

If you have any questions or comments, reach out to me at PDB at thefirsttv.com. I'm Mike Baker. I'll be back later today with the PDB afternoon bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool. Not loving your AT&T or T-Mobile bill. Yeah, we've been hearing that. a lot. Good news. Bring your AT&T or T mobile bill to Verizon and we'll give you a better deal. So get away from that unfortunate phone bill and get to Verizon. Run, ride, canoe. Whatever it takes, we'll be here. Bring your AT&T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll

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