Christmas Gifts for Gaza: Tents and Cooking Gas to Combat Winter's Bite in Khan Younis
Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman and C.I.A. agent, will be the first woman to serve as governor of Virginia, following a streak of 74 men
As Christmas 2025 draws near on November 5, with winter already looming large, the Firebrand Project turns the spotlight to Gaza’s dire humanitarian emergency, where the most urgent “gifts” aren’t toys or trinkets but life-saving basics like tents and cooking gas. In Khan Younis and across the enclave, families endure frayed shelters unfit for rains and floods, resorting to burning waste—including fecal matter—for cooking amid fuel shortages. With child malnutrition at 10%, over 1.5 million needing shelter, and aid trickling in at less than one-third the promised rate, your donations can become transformative Christmas gifts: providing sturdy tents for protection and cooking gas to prevent health risks from toxic fires.
Domestic
Record Early Voting Reflects Widespread Frustration: Over 3 million early ballots were cast in Virginia, New York, and New Jersey—far surpassing four years ago—with New York City alone seeing 735,000, more than quadruple 2021’s total. This surge coincides with the 35th day of the government shutdown, tying Trump’s previous record, leaving people hungry without SNAP payments. Regime messaging is chaotic, including Trump’s endorsement of Cuomo (alienating MAGA) and his attack on Jewish voters supporting Mamdani as “stupid.” Hoax bomb threats briefly closed New Jersey polling stations in seven counties, raising manipulation concerns—hand counts may be needed if results are close.
New Jersey Gubernatorial Race Edges Democratic: Democrat Mikie Sherrill (congresswoman, former Navy pilot) holds a narrow lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli (former state lawmaker, small-business owner) in this hotly contested race. Polls: Emerson (Oct 25-28: Sherrill 49% vs. Ciattarelli 48%), Atlas Intel (Oct 30: 50% vs. 49%), Quinnipiac (Oct 30: 51% vs. 43%), Suffolk (Oct 29: 46% vs. 42%), Fairleigh Dickinson (Oct 17: 52% vs. 45%). As polls close, live results show Sherrill ahead, but independents could sway it—watch for irregularities in this potential testbed for election tampering.
Virginia Gubernatorial Contest Favors Spanberger: Democrat Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle-Sears with healthy margins. Polls: Emerson (Oct 30-31: Spanberger 55% vs. Sears 44%), VCU Wilder (Oct 16-24: 49% vs. 42%), Christopher Newport (Sep 29-Oct 1: 52% vs. 42%). Early results indicate Spanberger’s edge holds, testing Trump’s influence in a swing state; Obama rallied Democrats against Trump’s “lawlessness,” while voters cite affordability and shutdown woes.
California’s Prop 50 on Track for Passage: This Democratic-backed measure for congressional redistricting (aiming to flip five Republican seats) enjoys strong support: CBS (early Nov: 62% yes), PPIC (Oct 30: 56% yes), PPIC (Oct 20-21: 57% yes). Known as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” it responds to Texas moves and could impact 2026 House control. Preliminary results show yes votes leading decisively—if it fails, expect cries of manipulation.
New York City Mayoral Race Signals Progressive Shift: Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani (potential first Muslim mayor, critic of Israel) leads independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Polls: RealClearPolitics (Nov 3: Mamdani 46% vs. Cuomo 31.8% vs. Sliwa 16.3%), Quinnipiac (Oct 29: 43% vs. 33% vs. 14%), Marist (Oct 30: 48% vs. 32% vs. 16%). Live counts favor Mamdani, whose win could pressure the DNC to embrace progressives, disillusioning centrists; Trump’s endorsement of Cuomo and antisemitism smears highlight divides.
Broader Sentiment and Midterm Implications: Republicans lose ground in polls, with independents turning out amid shutdown fallout. Nationally, 57% disapprove of Trump, but party preferences split evenly for 2026. These results gauge mood but offer limited midterm insight—Democrats must evolve or face disillusionment.
International
Aid Shortfalls Perpetuate Forced Famine: Four weeks post-ceasefire, only 145 trucks enter daily—less than one-third of the mandated 600 under Trump’s 20-point plan. WFP reports half the needed food arriving; overall aid is 25-30% of expected. Israel blames Hamas theft (denied), but restrictions block deliveries. Improvements are minimal: child malnutrition down to 10% from 14%, but 1,000+ severely affected. Households average two meals (mostly dry rations), with rare access to eggs, vegetables, fruits.
Winter Crisis Looms in Khan Younis and Beyond: Residents like 52-year-old Manal Salem describe “dire” conditions with worn-out tents unfit for winter rains and floods. Over 60% cook with burning waste (including fecal matter), risking health amid garbage piles. North-south divide persists: south sees more aid, north none. WFP has delivered 20,000 tons (half needed) and opened 44/145 sites— a “race against time” with overwhelming needs.
Shelter Shortage Affects 1.5 Million: NRC estimates 1.5 million need shelter, but tents and tarpaulins await Israeli approval. Living conditions are “unimaginable,” with frayed tents and destroyed infrastructure hindering distribution.
Bottlenecks and Dual-Use Rejections Fuel Siege: Israel creates grey areas by “allowing” aid but limiting it via multi-layered inspections at crossings like Kerem Shalom. “Dual-use” items (e.g., oxygen cylinders, anesthetics, water materials, tents) lead to entire convoys being rejected if one truck fails. Arbitrary vetting, fuel shortages, and uncleared rubble prevent aid from reaching north Gaza, sustaining famine despite ceasefire.
Violence Escalates, Shattering Ceasefire Illusion: Since mid-October, at least 240 killed and 607 wounded. Oct 28-29 strikes killed 104 (46 children) after one IDF soldier’s death. Nov 1: 115 killed, 352 injured in 24 hours. Nov 3: 3 Palestinians killed near Rafah, attacks on Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat camps. Over 20,000 children killed total—nearly 20x the Oct 7 toll—proving no real truce; Israel builds hostilities amid global distractions.
Israel’s Political Void Enables Atrocities: Netanyahu’s rivals demand more aggression— no “left” remains. Israelis must confront their government’s war crimes; removing Netanyahu won’t stop the sentiment driving genocide.
Economic
Market Slumps on Bubble Fears: Stocks tumbled Nov 4: S&P 500 down 1.17%, Nasdaq 2.04%, Dow 0.53%. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs CEOs warned of corrections; Dimon predicted one in 6 months-2 years due to geopolitics. Valuations stretched despite “good but not great” earnings—recipe for profit-taking. Shutdown data blackout shifts focus to private reports like ADP’s.
P/E Ratio Signals AI Bubble Risk: At 23.1 (above 15.9 average), it mirrors pre-dot-com (24.4 in 2000) and COVID peaks. AI drives 75% of S&P 500 gains in “TINA” scenario (no alternatives), but overvaluation risks burst if earnings disappoint.
Amazon’s Ad Surge Masks Consumer Weakness: Record ad revenue reflects companies paying more to reach shrinking buyers—fewer Americans afford goods amid recession signals. Return on ad spend contracts; ad markets need robust consumers to thrive.
When Earnings Falter, Bubble Pops: AI firms’ missed goals could trigger collapse, dragging markets. Similarities to dot-com eerie—will big tech get bailouts, with/without Congress? Fed rate cut doubts add anxiety.
Overdue Depression, Not Recession: Greed, tariffs, instability fuel catastrophe. Regulation and foresight absent; all indicators (PMI, spending, housing) point down—depression looms.
On this election day—one year after Trump’s return—the results are a data point in our struggle, showing if our fall slows or accelerates. Win or lose, the fight continues: resistance builds backlash or demands urgency. Don’t mistake tonight for salvation or defeat—it’s a call to act, hold ground, push forward. Tech oligarchs go all-in with donations, critics argue they are going for broke, amplifying authoritarianism despite base tensions with increasing distrust in experts and technocrats. This echoes Democratic vibe shifts, where the center has lost its legitimacy—the essence of the drift—with some adopting aggressive styles or drifting right, blurring lines and urging vigilance while others turn back to its christian roots. Subscribe for more.