For today, links to eight reports: from Middle East Eye, the Cradle, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Reuters; to commentary from Middle East Eye; and to a Feb. 19 address at the European Parliament in Brussels, via Consortium News and ScheerPost. Other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. GAZA 3-1-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM
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Israel claims responsibility for strike in northern Gaza. From Middle East Eye. It said the strike targeted people it suspected of “planting an explosive device” near its soldiers. Earlier, the Shehab News Agency, which is affiliated with Hamas, reported . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MARCH 1 Israel informs aid groups army ‘will remain in post-war Gaza’: report. From the Cradle. The Israeli military is planning to remain in Gaza and exert “tighter control” of the strip following the war, according to a plan presented by Israeli authorities to the UN and aid organizations, The Guardian reported on Saturday. The plan . . . READ MORE . . .
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Israel cuts off Gaza aid to pressure Hamas to accept a new ceasefire proposal, by Tia Goldenberg and Samy Magdy | AP TEL AVIV — Israel stopped the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip today and warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas doesn’t accept a new proposal to extend a fragile ceasefire, while key mediator Egypt . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from NPR, Reuters and the Cradle.
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UN labels Israel’s decision to halt Gaza aid ‘alarming.’ From Middle East Eye. “International humanitarian law is clear,” said Tom Fletcher, the UN’s emergency relief coordinator. “We must be allowed access to deliver vital lifesaving aid. We can’t . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 28 Israeli troops stole ‘mountains of cash and gold’ from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria. From the Cradle. The Israeli military’s “Loot Unit” has seized enough weaponry to establish “a small army,” as well as “mountains” of cash and gold since launching the wars in the Gaza Strip, southern Lebanon, and Syria, Ynet reported on Friday. READ MORE . . .
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Israelis no longer blush at calls for Palestinian extermination, by Meron Rapoport | Middle East Eye There are no more threats of a second Nakba. There is not just a “Generals’ Plan” of siege and starvation. Rather, there is a blueprint for annihilation: for a final solution to the problem of Gaza and to the problem of the Palestinians in general. READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 19 The geopolitics of peace, by Jeffrey Sachs | Columbia University / ScheerPost / Consortium News On the Middle East the U.S. completely handed over foreign policy to Netanyahu 30 years ago. The Israel lobby dominates American politics. Please, have no doubt about it. I could explain for hours how it works. Click HERE for video and a transcript.
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