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

–   –   –

Families welcome news of 3 more male hostages to be released. From AP. The organization representing families of hostages held in the Gaza strip was celebrating the news that Yarden Bibas, 35, Keith Siegel, 65, and Ofer Kalderon, 54, would be released Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

Trump insists Egypt, Jordan will take in Palestinians from Gaza. From Middle East Monitor. U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down Thursday on his controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan, insisting that the two countries will comply, despite their repeated rejections. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JAN. 30  What Israel’s ban on UN’s Palestinian aid agency looks like, by Isabel Debre | AP  JERUSALEM — Israel on Thursday formally banned UNRWA, the main United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees, from operating on its territory despite heavy diplomatic backlash, a move that humanitarian officials warn . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for Jan. 30 report from Middle East Monitor.