Axios

The European Commission announced an investigation into X on Thursday over allegations that the platform spread disinformation about the war between Hamas and Israel.

The big picture: Misinformation and disinformation about the conflict could amplify political divisions globally, as false and misleading reports have multiplied online in the wake of escalating fighting in the region.

Georgia swing voters praised President Biden's initial response to the Israel-Hamas war compared to how they believe former President Trump would have handled it, according to our latest Engagious/Sago focus groups.

Why it matters: Interviews with Georgia voters who pivoted from Trump in 2016 to Biden in 2020 suggest they are glad that Trump is not in office during what could become a larger international crisis.

Israeli intelligence the night before the Hamas attack picked up signs of irregular activity among Hamas operatives in Gaza but top IDF and Shin Bet leaders decided not to put military forces on the borders of the enclave on high alert, three Israeli officials told Axios.

Why it matters: Israeli leaders are facing growing criticism — and questions — over how they failed to prevent or quickly stop the deadliest attacks on its territory in decades.

The Biden administration will begin arranging chartered flights on Friday for U.S. citizens in Israel who wish to leave the country, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Thursday.

Why it matters: The announcement comes amid limited availability of commercial flights leaving Israel and high demand from Americans, Kirby said at a press briefing.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Thursday and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the members of the "war Cabinet," which was formed as part of the new emergency government to respond to the Hamas attack.

Why it matters: U.S. and Israeli officials say Blinken's trip to Israel is focused on showing solidarity and support for Israel. But he's also in the region to discuss a possible safe passage for Americans and other foreign nationals who are in Gaza.

Eva Longoria is helping launch an initiative to get more books in the hands of kids who live in "book deserts."

Why it matters: A book desert is an area or town where reading materials are hard to obtain.

About 53% of transgender and nonbinary youths of Latino heritage seriously considered suicide in the past year, according to the latest nationwide survey by The Trevor Project.

Driving the news: The suicide prevention organization released findings from the online survey of 6,900 LGBTQ+ Latinos on Thursday.

The controversy engulfing Harvard student groups that signed a pro-Palestinian letter grew Wednesday, as a truck displaying the names and faces of students allegedly affiliated with the groups circled the school's campus.

Catch up quick: Thirty-four student groups signed onto a letter by the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) on Saturday that said it held "the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence."

President Biden will be interviewed on CBS' "60 Minutes" as part of an edition on Sunday that will spotlight the Israel-Gaza crisis, CBS' Wendy McMahon revealed at the Axios BFD conference.

Why it matters: Biden has been forceful in his support for Israel and condemnation of Hamas in public statements in the wake of the massive attacks inside Israel over the weekend. But with Americans believed to be held hostage, and Israel engaged in a ferocious response, this is becoming one of the most difficult crises of Biden's presidency so far.

Former President Trump's criticism of Israeli officials and labeling of Hezbollah as "very smart" Wednesday night drew a scathing response from both the White House and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Why it matters: Trump has a long record of praising the intelligence and authoritarian rule of U.S. adversaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Follow the latest updates on the Hamas-Israel war here.

Hamas stunned the world when it launched a surprise air, land and sea attack against cities across Israel on Oct. 7 in the most serious incursion against the country in decades. The Israeli military has retaliated with heavy bombardment against the besieged Gaza Strip.

The big picture: It's some of the worst violence this part of the world has seen in years.

Latinas who had key roles in the development of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 vaccines are hopeful their work can contribute to improving vaccination rates among Hispanics.

The big picture: Latinos in the U.S. have consistently low inoculation rates against the flu, polio, HPV or hepatitis, and are less likely than other racial or ethnic groups to be vaccinated against COVID-19, research shows.

The fighting in Israel and Gaza is sparking concern about a surge in hate crimes against Jews and Muslims in the U.S., which have soared in recent years.

The big picture: Three decades of data from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism reviewed by Axios show that conflicts in the Middle East involving Israel frequently lead to big jumps in hate crimes here — particularly antisemitic attacks.

President Biden, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and other officials convened a closed-door roundtable meeting with more than two dozen Jewish community leaders to offer support and discuss what the administration is doing in the wake of Saturday's Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.

Why it matters: The conversation comes as the attacks and ongoing fighting in Gaza spark concerns about a possible surge in hate crimes against Jews and Muslims in the U.S. and the challenges of getting Americans in Israel home.

Several CEOs are urging Harvard University to release the names of the people in the student organizations who signed a pro-Palestinian letter that criticized Israel.

Driving the news: Billionaire Bill Ackman, a hedge fund manager and Harvard alum, said in an online post Tuesday that he had been asked by "a number of CEOs" if Harvard would disclose the list of students in the groups that issued a letter that said it held "the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence."

The U.S. has been engaging in recent days with Israel and Egypt in an effort to create a safe passage that will enable the evacuation of Americans and other foreign nationals from Gaza, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

Why it matters: There are more than 500 Americans and hundreds of other foreign nationals in Gaza, among them UN workers, members of non-governmental organizations and journalists, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.