For today, links to seven reports: from Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio; and to four articles of commentary: from Middle East Eye, ScheerPost, Jonathan-Cook.net and MintPress News (the last three via Consortium News); others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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Ceasefire brings hope in devastated Gaza after 15 months of war. From Reuters. JERUSALEM / CAIRO — Palestinians headed for the rubble of their former homes in the Gaza Strip today and Israelis prepared to receive the first hostages held by Hamas after a ceasefire deal took effect that could pave the way for an end to the 15-month-old war. READ MORE . . .
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Gaza ceasefire takes hold after another delay, raising hopes of ending the war and freeing hostages, by Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy and Tia Goldenberg | AP DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold in the Gaza Strip today, ushering in an initial six-week period of calm and raising hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the devastating 15-month war. A last-minute . . . READ MORE . . .
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First trucks carrying aid arrive in Gaza after ceasefire: UN. From AFP. GENEVA — Trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza today after a truce between Israel and Hamas went into effect, the United Nations said. READ MORE . . .
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People in Gaza rush to see what’s left of their homes on first day of Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Reported by Aya Batrawy and Ayesha Rascoe | NPR An assessment of the first hours of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas- and the mood in Gaza — after more than 15 months of war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for report from AP.
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Hamas says expects list ‘shortly’ of 90 Palestinian prisoners for exchange. From AFP. The militant group said in a statement, “The occupation is expected to hand over shortly a list containing the names of 90 prisoners from . . .READ MORE . . .
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Israelis react to the ceasefire deal going into effect 15 months after the war began. Reported by Greg Myre and Ayesha Rascoe | NPR A look at how the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel is being received in Israel, where protests over domestic politics have continued throughout the war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM JAN. 17 Trump owns the Gaza ceasefire. But how will he impose it? by Sean Mathews | Middle East Eye Donald Trump pushed a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip across the finish line, but the U.S. President-elect’s troubleshooting is going to be tested like never before — now that he has to impose the deal on a country itching to resume fighting and a defiant Hamas. READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 16 The Ceasefire Charade. by Chris Hedges | ScheerPost / Consortium News Israel, going back decades, has played a duplicitous game. It signs a deal with the Palestinians that is to be implemented in phases. It will, I expect, be little more than a presidential inauguration bombing pause. Israel has no intention of halting its merry-go-round of death. READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 17 Starmer’s support for Gaza ceasefire riddled with lies, | by Jonathan Cook / Consortium News There are so many lies, deceptions and misdirections in Sir Keir Starmer’s statement on the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas this week that they need to be picked apart line by line. READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 17 L.A. fire cuts . . . billions for Israel & Ukraine, by Robert Inlakesh | MintPress News / Consortium News Months before the wildfires ravaged Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass approved the budget for the next fiscal year which included a $17.5 million reduction to the fire department’s funding. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley cautioned that . . . READ MORE . . .