For today, links to four reports: from Middle East Monitor, the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (WEST BANK, LEBANON, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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U.S. President Trump ‘not confident’ Gaza ceasefire will last. From Middle East Monitor. The United States’ newly-elected President, Donald Trump, has expressed doubts over chances that the ceasefire in Gaza will last, only days after it came into effect. READ MORE . . .

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Israel says it will maintain control of Gaza-Egypt crossing. From AP. Israel said today it will maintain control of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip during the first phase of the ceasefire with Hamas. READ MORE . . .

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Bereaved Gazans dig out bodies from city ruins, give them graves, by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dawoud Abu Alkas | Reuters  CAIRO / GAZA  Guns may have fallen silent in Gaza, but  . . . READ MORE . . .

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What impact will Trump have on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas? Reported by Leila Fadel | NPR  Former Palestinian peace talks adviser and human rights lawyer Diana Buttu talks about the the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and what Trump’s election will mean for U.S. involvement in agreement.. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.