Israel is escalating its incursion into the Gaza Strip.  The latest count shows 8500 Palestinian deaths and 1400 Israelis.  Read this to better understand the  difference between the Hamas and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS ).  For one, the former is 36 years old, while the latter developed more recently. 24 years ago.  Here is what  Russia hopes to gain  from the Hamas-Israel conflict. Jacob Lew was finally confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to Israel .  He was Treasury Secretary for President Barack Obama. This position has been vacant since July, so one wonders if partisan politics stood in the way of confirmation.  Supposedly, it was for Lew's dealings during the Iran Nuclear Deal. Had another excellent breakfast at the Sheraton Yokohama Bay. Then a short taxi ride to  the Diamond Princess.  Took a long time to check-in and finally boarded around 1 PM and had lunch. Noticed someone walk by who looked very similar to Steve of 15 Craigside.  So went up for closer look. N