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18 Oct 2023 — 4 min read

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Gaza Hospital Strike:

Yesterday, an explosion occurred at the Gaza City Hospital in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of around 500 Palestinians. The cause of this incident has become a point of contention between Israel and Palestinian groups. Palestinian health authorities attribute the explosion to an Israeli airstrike, while Israel points to a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The blast has also sparked widespread protests across the Middle East, with demonstrations reported in regions such as the West Bank, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Morocco, and Iraq. Notably, Lebanon's Hezbollah has openly condemned the attack and called for widespread protests against both Israel and Biden's impending visit.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has labeled the explosion as a "hideous war massacre." In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have placed the blame on the Palestinian Islamic Jihad was responsible due to a rocket that misfired.
Following the hospital explosion, there have been clashes in various cities within the West Bank, which is governed by Palestinian Authority. The rapid international condemnation of the incident has been led by countries like Iran, Turkey, and various Arab nations expressing their disapproval.

IRS Direct File:

In 2024, the IRS will trial a free tax filing service named Direct File for select taxpayers across potentially 13 states. This initiative challenges existing paid tax preparation services like Turbotax and H&R Block, which have historically opposed free and straightforward tax filing options.
This move by the IRS has been made possible by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that allocated $15 million for the development of a free tax filing service. Direct File, designed as a user-friendly service in both English and Spanish, targets individuals with simpler tax scenarios, such as those with W-2s or typical credits and deductions. The exact nature of the service it offers is yet to be clarified.
Initially, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and New York will integrate with Direct File for the 2023 tax year, with several other states potentially joining. The service aims to assess the viability and benefits of offering a free Direct File option. Companies like Intuit, which have historically opposed such free services, have criticized this move, labeling it redundant and potentially costly. More updates on Direct File are anticipated as the tax season nears.

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