For today, links to eight reports from Reuters, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, the Associated Press, Anadolu Agency, and Wafa; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Israeli forces thrust deeper into Rafah as diplomacy falters, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters CAIRO — Israeli tanks advanced deeper into the western area of Rafah, amid one of the worst nights of bombardment from air, ground, and sea, forcing many families to flee their homes and tents under darkness, residents said today. Residents said . . . READ MORE . . .
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More than 80% of people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes, Mercy Corps says. Steve Inskeep of NPR speaks with Arnaud Quemin, Middle East director of Mercy Corps, about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Israel reportedly hits Gaza safe zone as ceasefire discussions persist. From Middle East Eye. Israel has launched land, sea and air strikes on al-Mawasi, a designated safe zone in Gaza, according to Palestine’s Wafa news agency. The Israeli army denied carrying out any strikes in the area where thousands of Palestinians are taking shelter. Wafa also . . . READ MORE . . .
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U.S. scrambles to prevent Israel-Hezbollah war. From Middle East Monitor. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has grown increasingly alarmed about the potential for an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as violence between the two has escalated in recent days. U.S. officials are said . . . READ MORE . . .
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U.S. national security adviser says Israel stands behind cease-fire proposal. From AP. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan today pushed back against . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM JUNE 12 8 months into the Israel-Hamas war, the U.S. still aims to end the fighting. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Steve Inskeep | NPR The U.S. is pushing what it calls an Israeli “roadmap” to wind down the war in Gaza, but the plan is still far from being endorsed — even by Israel. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Accumulated waste in Gaza poses ‘catastrophic’ environmental, health risks: UN agency. From AA. ANKARA — The UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned today of “catastrophic” environmental and health risks in the Gaza Strip amid an accumulation of waste in populated areas in the battered enclave. READ MORE . . .
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Death toll in Gaza rises to 37,232 as Israel continues its aggression. From Wafa. GAZA — The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s deadly aggression against the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, has now surged to 37,232, medical sources said today. Sources added that at least 85,037 others have also been injured . . . READ MORE . . .