For today, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for today and a PECK entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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As Israel resumes bombing in the north, thousands of Gazans face desperate conditions. Reported by Eyder Peralta | NPR  Southern Gaza has seen the heaviest fighting over the past few weeks. But bombing has restarted in the north and the humanitarian situation has worsened there. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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How do you think about a future when you’re trying to survive the war in Gaza? Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with Palestinian humanitarian Mahmoud Shalabi about resuming work in the north of Gaza, and his hopes for the future. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM JAN. 31  Top US diplomat set to return to the Mideast for 5th time since Gaza conflict began, by Matthew Lee | AP  WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to the Middle East later this week on his fifth urgent diplomatic mission since Israel’s war with Hamas began in October, the White House and a State Department official said Wednesday. READ MORE . . .

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Israeli PM says UN agency for Palestinians must close, Israeli warplanes strike Gaza, by Henriette Chacar, Mohammad Salem and Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  JERUSALEM / GAZA / DOHA — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Wednesday for the closure of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency as his forces conducted more air strikes in Gaza amid diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the enclave. Israel has accused . . . READ MORE . . .