For today, links to eight reports: from Reuters, Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Wafa, and Middle East Monitor, and to two article of commentary from Middle East Eye; 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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Palestinian rescue workers begin search for people under rubble on day two of ceasefire, by Hatem Khaled, Mohammed Salem and Nidal al-Mughrabi | Reuters GAZA / CAIRO — Palestinian Emergency Services said today a search is underway for thousands of Palestinians believed buried under rubble, as Gaza’s residents expressed shock at the devastation on the second . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.
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FROM JAN. 19 Palestinians trek across rubble to return to their homes as Gaza ceasefire takes hold, by Samy Magdy and Wafaa Shurafa | AP KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Even before the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was fully in place on Sunday, Palestinians in the war-battered Gaza Strip began to return to the remains of the homes they had evacuated during the 15-month war. READ MORE . . .
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How do people in war zones feel as Trump takes office? Reported by Joanna Kakissis, Charles Maynes and Greg Myre | NPR President-elect Trump has promised to end two foreign conflicts. NPR correspondents in Israel, Russia and Ukraine asked people about their hopes and fears as Trump takes office. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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First Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners freed in Gaza ceasefire deal. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi and A Martínez | NPR A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has gone into effect. Three women were returned to Israel after more than a year in captivity, and families of 90 Palestinians celebrated the release of prisoners. Click HERE to listen and, later, read. Click HERE for report from Wafa via Middle East Monitor.
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FROM JAN. 19 Gaza resident discusses life there on the first day of ceasefire. Scott Detrow of NPR talks with a Gazan student journalist who is returning to her home and neighborhood after more than a year of war between Hamas and Israel. Click HERE TO listen and, later, read.
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FROM JAN. 19 Three hostages arrive in Israel for tearful reunions as fragile Gaza ceasefire passes first hurdle, by Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdi and Melanie Lidman | AP DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — The first three hostages released from Gaza arrived in Israel on Sunday for tearful reunions with families, hours after the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold following 15 months of war. Palestinians waited for the first release of prisoners held by Israel. READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 17 Biden and Blinken bow out as embodiments of a genocidal status quo, by Oscar Rickett | Middle East Eye The gaping chasm between how they see themselves and how the world at large views them was on display again on Monday when Biden and Blinken appeared at the State Department to give a valedictory address on foreign policy. . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM JAN. 15 Gaza ceasefire: After 15 months of brutality, Israel has failed on every front, by David Hearst | Middle East Eye Every Israeli journalist who covered the negotiations has reported that Netanyahu rejected all previous deals and was responsible for the delay in coming to this one. It fell to one short meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to . . . READ MORE . . .