For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Reuters, followed by commentary from Scheer Post; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date and a HEINBERG entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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NEWER Hamas top leader arrives in Cairo for talks on war, by Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdi | AP Hamas leader visits Cairo, a sign talks on another Gaza truce and hostage swap are gathering pace, by Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdi | AP DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Hamas’ top leader traveled to Cairo today for talks on the war in Gaza, part of a flurry of diplomacy aimed at securing another cease-fire and hostage swap at a moment when the militant group is putting up stiff resistance to Israel’s offensive. Ismail Haniyeh’s visit came a day after Hamas fired rockets that . . . READ MORE . . .
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NEWER Retired U.S. diplomat discusses calls for Israel to reduce civilian deaths in Gaza. Michel Martin of NPR speaks Retired U.S. diplomat discusses calls for Israel to reduce civilian deaths in Gaza. Michel Martin of NPR speaks with retired American diplomat Ryan Crocker about repeated U.S. calls for Israel to reduce the civilian death toll in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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The latest on the Israel-Hamas war. Reported by Carrie Kahn and Michel Martin | NPR The death toll in Gaza is nearing 20,000 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and Israel is coming under intense international pressure — even from its allies — to limit civilian casualties. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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UN vote on Gaza delayed another day amid talks to avoid U.S. veto, by Michelle Nichols | Reuters NEW YORK – A United Nations Security Council vote on a bid to boost aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip has been delayed by another day as talks continue to try and avoid a third U.S. veto of action over the two-month long Israel-Hamas war, diplomats said on Tuesday. The 15-member council was initially . . . READ MORE . . .
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How Arab-Jewish communities are coping with the war in Gaza. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR Mixed, Arab-Jewish communities are a rarity in Israel. And since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7 and the ensuing war in Gaza, they’ve been under pressure. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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How the watermelon became a symbol of Palestinian resistance. Reported by Michel Martin and A Martínez | NPR The watermelon has long been a symbol of Palestinian resistance and solidarity. Now the symbol is having a resurgence on social media as the Israel-Hamas war continues. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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NEWER The death of Israel, by Chris Hedges | Scheer Post Israel will appear triumphant after it finishes its genocidal campaign in Gaza and the West Bank. Backed by the United States, it will achieve its demented goal. But by the time Israel achieves its decimation of Gaza — Israel is talking about months of warfare — it will have signed its own death sentence. Its facade . . . READ MORE . . .