For today, links to eleven reports: from Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, National Public Radio, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON, SYRIA, WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  UKRAINE 3-2-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Russian missile hits training base — dead and wounded reported. From Kyiv Post. The State Bureau of Investigation has announced the opening of criminal proceedings into the deaths and injuries of Ukrainian servicemen following a Russian missile strike on a training ground in the Dnipropetrovsk region. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly workshops over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airfields and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) assembly workshops over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 2  UK, France propose partial one-month Ukraine truce, Paris says. From Reuters. PARIS — France and Britain are proposing a partial one-month truce between Russia and Ukraine that would cover air, sea and energy infrastructure attacks but not include ground fighting, French President Emmanuel Macron and his foreign minister said. READ MORE . . .

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Discussions on ending Moscow-Kyiv war ‘must include’ Ukrainians, respect their rights: UN rights chief, by Beyza Binnur Dönmez | Anadolu Agency  GENEVA — The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, today stressed that any discussion to end the Moscow-Kyiv war “must include” Ukrainians. READ MORE . . .

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‘You cannot end a war unless both sides come to the table’: U.S. Secretary of State, by Muhammed Enes Calli | Anadolu Agency  U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday of an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, “it’s 0% likely if we don’t get them to a negotiating table.” READ MORE . . .

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European leaders pledge to work together to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Reported by Lauren Frayer and Leila Fadel | NPR  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a warm welcome in London from Britain’s prime minster and other European leaders who pledged to work together to stop Russia’s war in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Attacks on Ukraine’s draft officers on the rise, fueled by social tension and Russian interference, by Kateryna Hodunova | The Kyiv Independent  Within a single week in February, several attacks against enlistment offices and personnel in Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian army’s use of donkeys in Ukraine underscores a staggering equipment shortage, by Bashir Kitachayev | The Moscow Times  Russian soldiers are being forced to use horses and donkeys to transport supplies to and from the front lines in Ukraine as high losses and insufficient production have created acute equipment shortages. And . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 2  After tense White House talks, European countries prepare ceasefire plan for Ukraine. Reported by Teri Schultz | NPR  European countries to prepare their own ceasefire plan with Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Kremlin accuses Zelensky of rejecting peace after clash with Trump. From AFP. “He doesn’t want peace. Someone should make him want peace. If the Europeans do it, all kudos to them,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to two reports: from the Anadolu Agency and the Cradle; to commentary from Middle East Eye; to an address at the European Parliament in Brussels; and to a map from Alamy. Other published material is accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK 2-28-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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FROM MARCH 1  Israeli bulldozers demolish homes in Nour Shams refugee camp on 1st day of Ramadan, by Aysar Alais and Ikram Kouachi | Anadolu Agency  ISTANBUL — Israeli military bulldozers entered the Nour Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, demolishing homes and tearing up roads in the al-Manshiya neighborhood. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 28  Knesset prepares ‘Greater Jerusalem’ mass settlement expansion plan. From the Cradle. An Israeli ministerial committee is expected to approve a bill over the weekend that would legalize the annexation of illegal settlements around occupied East Jerusalem in an effort to establish a “Greater Jerusalem,” Haaretz reported 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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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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For today, links to nine reports: from the Associated Press, Kyiv Post, National Public Radio, the Kyiv Independent, and Reuters; to commentary from Consortium News; and to an 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 GAZA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  UKRAINE 3-1-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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NEWER  UK pledges export financing for air defense as world leaders discuss ending war in Ukraine, by Brian Melley | AP British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain will use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) in export financing to supply 5,000 air defense missiles for Ukraine. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Kyiv Post.

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UK, France and Ukraine agree to work on ceasefire plan for Russia’s war in Ukraine, by Brian Melley | AP  LONDON — Britain, France and Ukraine have agreed to work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said today as European leaders assembled in London to discuss ending the war. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for report from NPR  and the Kyiv Independent.

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UK’s Starmer tries to restore hope for Ukraine peace at summit, by Elizabeth Piper, Kate Holton and Andrew MacAskill | Reuters  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will try to revive hope for peace in Ukraine at a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky and other Western leaders today . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from AP.

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Where U.S.-Ukraine relations stand after the Trump-Zelenskyy standoff. Reported by Greg Myre and Ayesha Rascoe | NPR  Friday’s Oval Office altercation could signal an irreparable break in U.S. relations with Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM MARCH 1  Ukrainians react to tense meeting between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and Scott Detrow | NPR  One day after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s tense meeting with President Trump, Ukrainians worry about what the Oval Office clash means for their country’s future. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM MARCH 1  Trump, Vance school Zelensky on reality of his war, by Joe Lauria | Special to Consortium News  It’s still hard to register that a factual alternative to the West’s propaganda story on Ukraine has largely been accepted by President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in a dramatic reversal from the office’s last occupant. Click HERE for commentary and C-Span video.

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FROM FEB. 19  The geopolitics of peace, by Jeffrey Sachs | Columbia University / Consortium News / ScheerPost  This is indeed a complicated and fast-changing time and a very dangerous one. We really need clarity of thought. I’ll try to be as succinct and clear as I can be. Click HERE for video and a transcript.

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For today, links to four reports: from the Cradle and the Anadolu Agency; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.  LEBANON 2-27-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Lebanese PM visits southern villages as Israeli ceasefire violations persist. From the Cradle. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam made a trip to south Lebanon on Friday with other Lebanese officials, visiting areas where Israeli occupation forces had been present. He and his energy, environment, and public works ministers . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. approves $3 billion military sales to Israel amid ceasefire talks, by Rabia Iclal Turan | Anadolu Agency  WASHINGTON — The U.S. on Friday approved potential foreign military sales to Israel worth $3 billion, according to the State Department. The sales include . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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FROM FEB. 27  IMF, World Bank reconstruction funds for Lebanon contingent on ‘normalization’: report. From the Cradle. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are seeking to tie reconstruction funds for Lebanon to “normalization” with Israel and Hezbollah’s “disarmament,” according to informed sources who spoke with Al-Akhbar. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to eight reports: from the Anadolu Agency, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, the Associated Press, and Reuters, and to commentary from the Cradle; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  GAZA 2-28-25 entry is HERE.) — MCM

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U.S. approves $3 billion military sales to Israel amid ceasefire talks, by Rabia Iclal Turan | Anadolu Agency  WASHINGTON — The U.S. on Friday approved potential foreign military sales to Israel worth $3 billion, according to the State Department. The sales include . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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Hamas says first phase of Gaza ceasefire will not be extended, by Alex MacDonald | Middle East Eye  Hamas said it has no intention of extending the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, which was set to expire today. A spokesperson there were no ongoing talks to begin the second phase of the ceasefire, which was supposed to guarantee . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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Hamas reports no progress in talks with Israel on ceasefire’s second phase, by Samy Magdy and David Rising | AP  CAIRO — The latest round of talks on the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has made no progress, and it’s unclear whether they would resume today, a senior Hamas official said. Phase one expires today, but . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 28  Israeli PM Netanyahu to hold security meeting after delegation returns from Cairo. From Reuters. CAIRO / JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to hold consultations with security chiefs and ministers on Friday after an Israeli delegation returned from Cairo with no agreement on extending the Gaza ceasefire, two Israeli officials said. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 28  Ex-Israeli army chief met UK news editors to ‘cultivate support’ for Gaza genocide: report. From the Cradle. Declassified UK reports that former Israeli chief of staff Aviv Kohavi held private meetings with the editors of several top British news outlets a month after the war in Gaza began, during a tour of the UK aimed at “cultivating support” for Israel and its genocidal campaign against the strip. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for Feb. 27 report from Declassified UK.

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FROM FEB. 28  Can Egypt rebuild Gaza without forcing Palestinians out? From the Cradle. An immediate issue is at play — the Egyptian-Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, an initiative being framed as an alternative to Trump’s “Riviera” proposal to displace Gazans. The key question is whether Trump will accept it. Egypt’s role . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to 13 reports: from Reuters, Kyiv Post, the Associated Press, Antiwar.com, Agence France-Presse, Tass, Declassified UK, National Public Radio, and Common Dreams, and to two interviews from National Public Radio and an editorial from the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON and GAZA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  UKRAINE 2-27-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Turkey to repeat offer to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks at London summit, source says. From Reuters. ANKARA — Turkey’s foreign minister will reiterate at Sunday’s meeting of European leaders in London an offer from Ankara to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, a Turkish diplomatic source said today. READ MORE . . .

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No more ‘blank checks’ for Ukraine without peace, White House says after Trump-Zelensky blowout, by Julia Struck | Kyiv Post  White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following his contentious Oval Office meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying Zelensky does not acknowledge . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 28  Trump’s Oval Office thrashing of Zelenskyy shows limits of Western allies’ ability to sway U.S. leader, by Zeke Miller | AP  WASHINGTON — Friday’s encounter between U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the future of their countries relationship, and Kyiv’s ability to defend itself in the brutal conflict with Russia, in mortal jeopardy. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE and HERE for second AP report, an Antiwar.com account via ScheerPost, and March 1 report from Reuters.

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FROM FEB. 28  Top U.S. diplomat calls on Zelensky to apologize for clash with Trump. From AFP. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Friday for Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to apologize for an earlier clash with President Donald Trump. READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainians express shock and outrage at Trump berating Zelenskyy at the White House. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and Scott Simon | NPR A look at the response in Ukraine to Friday’s shambolic press conference at the Oval Office between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Ukraine loses over 220 troops in Kursk Region in past day — Russian Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Ukrainian army lost over 220 troops in the Kursk Region in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said today in a statement, adding details of materiel destroyed. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 26  Keir Starmer’s plan for UK growth — the Ukraine war, by Mark Curtis | Declassified UK  In his announcement Tuesday of increases in UK military spending, Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly referenced Ukraine and the threat from Russia and said the new “investment” will “create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for Feb. 25 UK government news release.

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FROM FEB. 28  Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House ends abruptly after Oval Office spat. Reported by Asma Khalid | NPR  Zelenskyy was at the White House to finalize a deal on minerals, which Trump has said is a step toward a broader peace deal he is trying to broker. But no deal was signed and the visit was cut short. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM FEB. 28  What’s next for Ukraine after Zelenskyy and Trump’s tense Oval Office meeting. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  In an extraordinary scene, the White House meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned into a shouting match on live television. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM FEB. 28  ‘We are governed by children’: Disgust as Trump and Vance bully Zelenskyy in Oval Office, by Jake Johnson | Common Dreams   Observers were aghast at Trump and Vance’s conduct during Friday’s meeting, which was likened to an ambush. At one point, as Trump . . . Click HERE for report including video from Fox News and C-Span.

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How the fallout of U.S.-Ukraine relations is being perceived in Russia. Reported by Scott Simon of NPR  speaks with Johns Hopkins professor Sergey Radchenko about what Russia hopes to gain from negotiations with the United States over ending its war in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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John Bolton discusses the implications of a tense Trump-Zelenskyy press conference. Scott Simon of NPR  talks with former National Security Adviser John Bolton about the foreign policy implications of Friday’s shocking press conference between President Trump and President Zelenskyy. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky. From the Kyiv Independent. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up. In the past several weeks, the U.S. leadership has demonstrated . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to a report from the Associated Press and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (SYRIA, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, and HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK 2-26-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Tens of thousands of Palestinians seek shelter after Israeli assaults across the West Bank, by Julia Frankel, Aref Tufaha and Jalal Bwaitel | AP  JENIN, West Bank — Israel’s current invasion appears to have been faster than previous ones, and an estimated 37,000 Palestinians driven out by a month-old offensive against militant groups in the occupied West Bank are waiting to return to the place they’ve long called home — but it’s unclear if Israel will let them. READ MORE . . .

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The crucial role of the Palestinian people in resisting displacement, by Majed Al-Zeer | Middle East Monitor  For 77 years since the Nakba, the Palestinian people have played a leading role in confronting various attempts aimed at erasing their cause and resolving the conflict by bypassing their rights. These attempts . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to a report from Reuters and to commentary from Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. SYRIA 2-27-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israel lobbies U.S. to keep Russian bases in a ‘weak’ Syria, sources say. From Reuters. BEIRUT / WASHINGTON — Israel is lobbying the United States to keep Syria weak and decentralised, including by letting Russia keep its military bases there to counter Turkey’s growing influence in the country, four sources familiar with the efforts said. READ MORE . . .

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Syria must put an end to Israel’s incursions — and fast, by David Hearst | Middle East Eye  For three months, the new regime in Damascus has used every opportunity to say it does not want a fight with Israel. It has done this is in private messages, through proxies and . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to reports from the Cradle, the Associated Press and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (WEST BANK, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  GAZA 2-27-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 27  Hundreds of Palestinians freed from Israeli jails after weeklong holdup. From the Cradle. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were let out from Israel’s prisons early on Thursday in exchange for the handover of the bodies of four Israeli captives who were held in Gaza, as part of the seventh and final round of exchanges for phase one of the ceasefire. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 27  Israel’s refusal to withdraw from this narrow strip of desert could threaten the Gaza ceasefire, by Joseph Krauss | AP  Israel’s refusal to withdraw from a narrow strip of desert on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, as called for in the ceasefire with Hamas, could further threaten the fragile truce. An Israeli official said Thursday . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 27  Egyptians respond to Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Reported by Aya Batrawy | NPR  President Donald Trump’s ideas for Gaza have sparked concerns in the Middle East. He says Palestinians should all leave and move to Egypt and Jordan. Click HERE to listen and read.

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The crucial role of the Palestinian people in resisting displacement, by Majed Al-Zeer | Middle East Monitor  For 77 years since the Nakba, the Palestinian people have played a leading role in confronting various attempts aimed at erasing their cause and resolving the conflict by bypassing their rights. These attempts . . . READ MORE . . .

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