First,  a link to a report from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name. (Scroll down for today’s WEST BANK, IRAN and UKRAINE so far, and for GAZA 8-4-26.) — MCM

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Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ issues first building contract for outpost to house Moroccan troops. From the Cradle. U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” has issued its first construction contract for Gaza since the organization’s establishment in January, the Guardian reported today, citing a source familiar with the matter. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

First, links to a report and a commentary, both from Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on its name, (Scroll up or down for today’s GAZA, IRAN and UKRAINE, and down for WEST BANK 8-4-26.) — MCM

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Jewish terrorists have become ‘sovereign’ in West Bank, Ynet analyst says. From Middle East Monitor. Jewish extremists and terrorists have effectively become “the sovereign” in the occupied West Bank, while the Israeli army protects their illegal activities and serves the political interests of the far-right government, a veteran Israeli military analyst has warned. READ MORE . . .

For now, links to five reports: from Middle East Monitor, the Associated Press, National Public Radio; and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll up or down for today’s GAZA, WEST BANK and UKRAINE so far, and down for IRAN 8-5-26.) — MCM

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Iran and U.S. say a Strait of Hormuz deal is close, but one or both would have to back down, by Elena Becatoros, Samy Magdy and Darlene Superville | AP  CAIRO — Iran said today it is in the “final stage” of drafting an agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. President Donald Trump has said a deal could be announced this week. That could potentially reopen the critical waterway, ease pressure on the world economy and help bring an end to the war. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE for report from NPR. Click HERE for Aug. 5 report from the Cradle.

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TO BE CONTINUED

For now, links to four reports: from the Associated Press, the Moscow Times, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll up for today’s GAZA, WEST BANK and IRAN so far, and down for UKRAINE 8-5-26.) — MCM

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Member of Ukraine’s parliament on the country’s need for more missile interceptors. Michel Martin of NPR speaks with Oleksandr Merezhko about Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. Ukrainian officials say their country is low on missile interceptors. Click HERE to listen and, later, read. Click HERE for Aug. 5 NPR report.

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TO BE CONTINUED

First, links to two reports: from the Cradle and Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names. (Scroll down for today’s LEBANON, IRAN and UKRAINE so far, and for YEMEN 7-26-26.) — MCM

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Yemen announces strike on eighth Saudi tanker since start of naval blockade. From the Cradle. Yemeni Armed Forces today announced a strike on the Saudi oil tanker Wafa with “a number of ballistic missiles” in the northern Red Sea off the coast of Yanbu. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 4  Indian vessel sinks after Red Sea attack off Yemen, all 14 crew rescued. From Middle East Monitor. An Indian vessel sank after coming under attack in the Red Sea by an explosives-laden boat off Yemen’s western coast, with all 14 crew members rescued, Yemen’s government-aligned National Resistance Forces announced on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

For now, links to three reports: from the Cradle, Middle East Eye and Middle East Monitor, and to an analysis from Middle East Eye; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names. (Scroll up or down for today’s YEMEN, IRAN and UKRAINE so far, and down for LEBANON 8-1-26.) — MCM

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Israel escalates against south Lebanon amid reports of new resistance operation. From the Cradle. The Israeli army launched a deadly wave of airstrikes against south Lebanon today, announcing in a statement that “precise strikes” were carried out in response to a “blatant violation” of the so-called ceasefire by Hezbollah. READ MORE . . .

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Trump demanded direct talks with Hezbollah but was denied, by Adam Chamseddine and Daniel Hilton | Middle East Eye  BEIRUT — Donald Trump called the Lebanese ambassador in Washington in late May and demanded a direct conversation with Hezbollah, a request that was then denied to the U.S. president. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 4  Lebanon-Israel talks in Rome focus on border, security arrangements: Lebanese official. From Middle East Monitor. The first day of the seventh round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in Rome focused on border issues and mechanisms to verify the implementation of security arrangements, a senior Lebanese official said Tuesday, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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The resurrection of Hezbollah, by Daniel Hilton and Adam Chamseddine | Middle East Eye  There was a moment, in late September 2024, when Hezbollah was in complete disarray. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

For now, links to five reports: from the Associated Press, the Cradle, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll up or down for today’s YEMEN, LEBANON and UKRAINE so far, and down for IRAN 8-4-26.) — MCM

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U.S. missile stockpiles are dwindling and could take years to replenish. Reported by Kat Lonsdorf and Steve Inskeep | NPR  The war with Iran has fueled a shortage of U.S. long-range precision missiles. Stockpiles are expected to take years to replenish. Click HERE to listen and, later, read. Click HERE for Aug. 4 report from NPR.

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For now, links to three reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll up for today’s YEMEN, LEBANON and IRAN so far, and down for UKRAINE 8-4-26.) — MCM

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Links to report from the Cradle and Reuters; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names. (Scroll down for today’s WEST BANK, GAZA, IRAN, UKRAINE and COVID ETC.; scroll down for YEMEN 7-26-26 or click HERE.) — MCM

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Yeman targets Najran Airport in Saudi Arabia with drone attack. From the Cradle. The Yemeni Armed Forces announced today that it targeted a “sensitive site” at a Saudi airport with a drone attack, just days after the leader of Yemen’s resistance warned Riyadh that it will face “full escalation” from Sanaa if renews its war against the country. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 3  Six Saudi tankers turn away from Gulf of Aden, ship-tracking data shows, by Jonathan Saul | Reuters  LONDON – Six Saudi-flagged supertankers have changed course in the Gulf of Aden in recent days and are heading to southern Africa following threats by Yemen’s Houthi movement to target Saudi shipping, tracking data showed on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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A link to a report from Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on its name. (Scroll up or down for today’s YEMEN, GAZA, IRAN, UKRAINE and COVID ETC., and down for WEST BANK 8-3-26.) — MCM

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Israel allocates $37M to develop alleged Jewish heritage sites in occupied West Bank. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich today announced the allocation of $37 million to develop alleged Jewish heritage sites in the West Bank, amid intensified illegal settlement expansion in the occupied territory, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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