For today, links to 10 reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, Middle East Monitor, and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Hostage families call for a cease-fire deal pushed by Biden. Israel says conditions must be met, by Sam Mednick | AP TEL AVIV — Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas called for all parties to immediately accept a proposal detailed by U.S. President Joe Biden to end the nearly 8-month-long war and bring their relatives home, but Israel’s government said conditions for a cease-fire still must be met. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 31 President Biden announces details of Israeli cease-fire proposal. Reported by Asma Khalid | NPR Biden announced at the White House that Israel offered a “comprehensive new proposal” that offers a “roadmap to an enduring cease-fire and the release of all hostages.” Click HERE to listen and read.
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Israel ready to continue talks on releasing hostages with Hamas – embassy in Russia. From Tass. MOSCOW — Israel has confirmed its resolve to continue negotiations with Hamas toward releasing hostages, according to Deputy Israeli Ambassador to Russia Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov. READ MORE . . .
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Israel’s Netanyahu says there cannot be permanent Gaza ceasefire until Hamas destroyed. From Reuters. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today there would be no permanent ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas’ military and governing capabilities were destroyed. READ MORE . . .
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Biden has introduced a plan to end the Israel-Gaza war. Either side has yet to agree. Reported by Asma Khalid and Scott Simon | NPR President Joe Biden has announced a multi-phase plan to bring the war in Gaza to an end. The Israelis and Hamas have yet to agree to it. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM MAY 31 Biden details Gaza truce proposal, Hamas responds positively, by Steve Holland and James Mackenzie | Reuters WASHINGTON / JERUSALEM — U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday laid out what he described as a three-phase Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza in return for the release of Israeli hostages. The first phase involves . . . READ MORE . . .
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Thousands rally near U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to protest Israeli bombardment of Gaza. From AA. Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters amassed in front of the US Embassy in the Indonesian capital Jakarta today to condemn Israel’s ongoing violation of international law amid heavy bombardment of the Rafah refugee camp. The protest . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 31 EU to dispurse $17.3m to UN agency for Palestinian refugees. From Middle East Monitor. The European Union decided on Friday to disburse €16 million ($17.3 million) to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Anadolu Agency reports. This new payment to UNRWA brings to . . . READ MORE . . .
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Israel maintains a shadowy hospital in the desert for Gaza detainees. Critics allege mistreatment, by Julia Frankel | AP JERUSALEM — Eight months into the Israel-Hamas war, accusations of inhumane treatment at the Sde Teiman military field hospital are on the rise, and the Israeli government is under growing pressure to shut it down. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 31 Resentment against U.S. grows in Egypt’s defence establishment as Rafah heats up, by Sean Mathews | From Middle East Eye The Biden administration’s near unconditional support for Israel’s war on Gaza is stoking resentment towards the U.S. among Egypt’s powerful defence establishment, complicating the administration’s bid to revive ties between Cairo and Israel to reach a Gaza ceasefire. READ MORE . . .