For today, links to reports from Middle East Monitor, Reuters, and Middle East Eye, and to commentary from Middle East Eye and Middle East Monitor; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below, or scroll down. (IRAN and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  GAZA 3-5-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Trump issues ‘last warning’ to Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza. From Middle East Monitor. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a stern warning to the Palestinian group Hamas, threatening severe consequences if all captives held in Gaza are not immediately freed. READ MORE . . .

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Trump’s threats over Gaza will encourage Netanyahu to back out of ceasefire deal, Hamas says. From Reuters. Hamas said today that U.S. president Donald Trump’s repeated threats against Palestinians constituted support for Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu to back out of the Gaza ceasefire and intensify the siege of Gazans. READ MORE . . .

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France says plan for post-war Gaza must ‘entirely’ exclude Hamas. From Middle East Eye. France today welcomed an Arab plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority, adding that Hamas should be “entirely” excluded from running the territory. READ MORE . . .

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U.S.-Israeli rejection of the Arab Gaza plan is a moment of truth, by Soumaya Ghannoushi | Middle East Eye  On Tuesday, Arab kings and presidents gathered in Cairo, summoned by the weight of history, drawn into a theatre where destinies could be decided — not just for Palestine, but for the very legitimacy of their own rule. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 5  Let’s look at what was absent from the Arab Summit closing statement, by Ali Muhammad Fakhro | Middle East Monitor  Millions listened to the closing statement of this week’s Arab Summit, which undoubtedly showed great progress in its tone and the seriousness of its objections to the criminal Zionist actions across all of Palestine, all of Lebanon and, more lately, all of Syria. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to seven reports: from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, Kyiv Post, the Moscow Times, Tass, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (IRAN and GAZA entry for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  UKRAINE 3-5-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Russian missile strike on Zelensky’s hometown kills 3, injures 31. From AFP. An overnight Russian missile strike on a hotel in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown, Kryvyi Rih, killed three people and injured 31, with nearly half in serious condition, authorities said today. READ MORE . . .

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EU leaders to back defence surge, support Zelenskiy after U.S. aid freeze, by Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray | Reuters  BRUSSELS — European leaders were expected to agree to ramp up defence spending and reaffirm support for Ukraine at a summit today, after Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid to Kyiv . . . READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Kyiv Post.

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Rubio calls Ukraine war ‘proxy’ conflict between U.S. and Russia. From the Moscow Times. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the United States is engaged in a “proxy” war with Russia in Ukraine. “President Trump views this . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky backs Macron’s vision for Ukraine. From Kyiv Post. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his peace efforts and “clear vision” after the latter’s Wednesday national address on bolstering European defense and potentially deploying troops to Ukraine. READ MORE . . .

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Russia won’t tolerate NATO contingents in Ukraine, Lavrov says. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia will not stand idly by and watch the appearance of NATO troops in Ukraine under the guise of peacekeepers and will not tolerate such actions from the West, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference. READ MORE . . .

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What peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. might look like. Steve Inskeep of NPR speaks with Bob Hamilton, head of Eurasia research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, about what peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. could look like. Click HERE later to listen and read.

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Trump’s alignment with Russia derails Europe’s push for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, by Oleg Sukhov | The Kyiv Independent  European countries have intensified talks on sending peacekeepers to Ukraine to monitor and enforce a possible ceasefire. But the potential deployment . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to three reports: from the Cradle and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll down. LEBANON 3-3-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israeli drone strikes target south Lebanon’s Ras al-Naqoura. From the Cradle. The Israeli army carried out at least two drone strikes on a vehicle in southern Lebanon today, injuring two civilians in the second attack on the south since Tueday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 4  Lebanon and Saudi Arabia work to improve relations, call for Israeli withdrawal, by Bassem Mroue | AP  BEIRUT — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun ended a visit to Saudi Arabia Tuesday where he discussed regional affairs with the kingdom’s crown prince after which both countries said Israeli troops should withdraw from south Lebanon and only the Lebanese state should have weapons. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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For today, links to six reports: from the Cradle, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Middle East Eye; others 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 3-4-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Trump officials ‘hold secret talks with Hamas’: report. From the Cradle. Senior U.S. officials have engaged in “direct talks” with Hamas about releasing U.S. captives in Gaza and exploring an agreement to “end the war,” according to sources who spoke with Axios reporter Barak Ravid. READ MORE . . .

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Trump rejects Egypt’s Gaza plan, stands by ethnic cleansing ‘vision.’ From the Cradle. Washington has rejected the Egyptian post-war Gaza proposal put forward by Arab states at a summit in Cairo this week, doubling down on U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision for the expulsion of Palestinians and the takeover of the strip. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 4  Arab leaders endorse Egypt’s plan to rebuild Gaza as an alternative to Trump’s proposal, by Samy Magdy and Mohammad Jahjouh | AP  CAIRO — Arab leaders on Tuesday endorsed Egypt’s postwar plan for the Gaza Strip that would allow its roughly 2 million Palestinians to remain. The counterproposal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to depopulate the territory and redevelop it was welcomed by Hamas, rejected by Israel, and . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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Less than two weeks worth of food in Gaza due to Israeli blockade: WFP. From the Cradle. The World Food Programme announced today it has enough food supplies in the Gaza Strip to keep public kitchens and bakeries open for less than two weeks due to Israel blocking the entry of food, fuel, medicine, and other essential supplies. Furthermore . . . READ MORE . . .

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How a future Gaza would look under Egypt’s $53bn plan, by  Sondos Asem | Middle East Eye  Egypt‘s $53bn plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, backed by the Arab League on Tuesday, has an ambitious vision for the architectural future of the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to seven reports: from the Kyiv Independent, Associated Press, the Moscow Times, Tass, Agence France-Presse, Kyiv Post, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Indian Punchline, the Washington Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer; other articles or headlines 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 3-4-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM 

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U.S. halts intelligence sharing with Ukraine, CIA director confirms, by Martin Fornusek | The Kyiv Independent  The U.S. has halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv, threatening Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian targets amid the full-scale war, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said to Fox Business today. The Financial Times reported earlier today . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin says a 2022 Ukrainian law bans Zelenskyy from talks with Putin. From AP. A Ukrainian decree from 2022 that ruled out negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin raises the question of who could sit at the table in potential peace talks aimed at ending their three-year war, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today. READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin welcomes possible Ukraine peace talks, but says ‘nuances’ remain. From the Moscow Times. The Kremlin said today it welcomes the prospect of U.S.-mediated peace talks with Ukraine but claimed that legal obstacles introduced by Kyiv still prevent negotiations from taking place. READ MORE . . . 

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U.S. to resume arms supplies to Kiev if rare-earths deal is signed — Medvedev. From Tass. MOSCOW — Washington will resume arms shipments to Kiev if the rare-earths deal is signed with Ukraine, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said, referring to U..S. President Trump’s address To Congress Tuesday night. READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky says peace in Ukraine is ‘entirely achievable’ under U.S. leadership. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today a lasting settlement to the war with Russia was “entirely achievable” if Europe and the United States worked together. READ MORE . . .

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Trump signals possible restoration of Ukraine aid, sets conditions, by Julia Struck | Kyiv Post  U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended military aid to Ukraine, with the possibility of restoring support if peace talks are arranged and confidence-building measures are implemented, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz confirmed today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 4  Ukrainians react to U.S. military aid pause. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  Ukrainians are reeling over the U.S. suspending military aid, but Kyiv says it can manage for six months as the European Union and UK amp up support. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM MARCH 3  U.S. puts firewall to protect Ukraine deal with Russia, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The verbal shootout at the Oval Office last Friday brought out President Vladimir Zelensky’s fury that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are very close to a deal on Ukraine, while the conclave in Lancashire House in London on Sunday involving 18 European leaders . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 26  Trump just dealt Russia a devastating blow, by Marc Theissen | The Washington Post  The minerals deal negotiated between the United States and Ukraine is a devastating development for Russia. Indeed . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 24  After three years of war in Ukraine, a Trump-backed ‘Russian peace’ would spell disaster, by Trudy Rubin | The Philadelphia Inquirer  Three years after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, it is clear who should win the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. READ MORE . . .

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For today, a link to a report from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down. SYRIA 3-3-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Syria’s industrial sector faces widespread closures under Al-Qaeda-linked government: report. From the Cradle. During the past three months, hundreds of Syrian factories, plants, and workshops have been closed in several governorates as a result of many factors that accompanied the departure of the government of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Sputnik Arabic reported on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to four reports: from Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, and National Public Radio, and to a film review from NPR; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. (WEST BANK 3-3-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Palestinian man shot and killed by Israeli forces in Jenin. From Middle East Eye. A Palestinian man has been shot and killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Earlier today, another man was identified . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH  3  Palestinian-Israeli film on displacement of Palestinians wins an Oscar. From Middle East Monitor. Palestinian-Israeli film “No Other Land” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscar ceremony Sunday night. Produced by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, it follows . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 3  ‘No Other Land’: Palestinian-Israeli film’s Oscar win sparks outrage in Israel, by Nadav Rapaport | Middle East Eye  Israeli government officials, actors and the media industry have lashed out at Hollywood and the directors of the Israeli-Palestinian film “No Other Land” after it won the best documentary film award . . . Click HERE to read the rest, and HERE for report from NPR.

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FROM JAN. 31  Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers team up to create ‘No Other Land.’ Review by Justin Chang | NPR  This isn’t just the most powerful nonfiction film I saw in 2024; it also had one of the year’s more remarkable off-screen narratives. The movie brings us into Masafer Yatta, a community of Palestinian villages in the Israeli-occupied southern West Bank . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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For now, links to reports from Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, the Cradle, and Reuters; other reports or headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  GAZA 3-3-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Netanyahu: We are ‘preparing for the next stages of the war.’ From Middle East Monitor. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Tel Aviv is “preparing for the next stages of the war,” vowing not to stop until “we achieve all our victory goals.” READ MORE . . .

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Arab leaders gather to endorse counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan, with ceasefire’s fate uncertain, by Samy Magdy and Mohammad Jahjouh | AP  CAIRO — Arab leaders meeting in Cairo today are set to endorse a counterproposal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for the Gaza Strip to be . . . READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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Israel says it needs deal on freeing hostages to extend Gaza  ceasefire deal. From Reuters. JERUSALEM — Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said today Israel was ready to proceed to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, as long as Hamas . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, links to seven reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Kyiv Post, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, and Tass, and to commentary from Responsible Statecraft via Truthdig; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. UKRAINE 3-3-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Trump’s pause on military aid alarms Ukrainians but Kyiv digs in on peace terms, by Samya Kullab and Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Ukrainians expressed alarm and apprehension today at a U.S. decision to pause military aid that is critical to their fighting Russia’s invasion, as a rift deepens between Kyiv and Washington. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and Kyiv Post.

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President Trump pauses Ukraine military aid after disastrous meeting with Zelenskyy. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and Michel Martin | NPR  A White House official says the Trump administration is pausing U.S. aid to Ukraine, just days after a disastrous meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM MARCH 3  Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away,’ by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — A deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia “is still very, very far away,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Sunday, adding . . . READ MORE . . .

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Pause in U.S. military shipments to Ukraine ‘best step’ toward peace, Kremlin says. From AFP. The Kremlin said today that the sudden suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine following a public clash between President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky marked a major step toward ending the war. READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots in past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airfields and ammunition depots 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 FEB. 28  Some hard truths about the Trump-Zelenskyy-Vance blow-up, by Anatol Lieven and George Beebe | Responsible Statecraft / Truthdig  The sort of clash that occurred between President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is common enough between leaders in private. As a public spectacle, however . . . READ MORE . . .

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Links to three reports: from Middle East Monitor, Middle East Eye, and National Public Radio, and to a film review from NPR, followed by a note from a reporter on the mend and a link to his latest report from Substack; other published material is accessible by clicking on their highlighted names or initials. (SYRIA, WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  MEDIA 2-26-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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FROM MARCH  3  Palestinian-Israeli film on displacement of Palestinians wins an Oscar. From Middle East Monitor. Palestinian-Israeli film “No Other Land” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscar ceremony Sunday night. Produced by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, it follows . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 3  ‘No Other Land’: Palestinian-Israeli film’s Oscar win sparks outrage in Israel, by Nadav Rapaport | Middle East Eye  Israeli government officials, actors and the media industry have lashed out at Hollywood and the directors of the Israeli-Palestinian film “No Other Land” after it won the best documentary film award . . . Click HERE to read the rest, and HERE for report from NPR.

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FROM JAN. 31  Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers team up to create ‘No Other Land.’ Review by Justin Chang | NPR  This isn’t just the most powerful nonfiction film I saw in 2024; it also had one of the year’s more remarkable off-screen narratives. The movie brings us into Masafer Yatta, a community of Palestinian villages in the Israeli-occupied southern West Bank . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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Reporter takes week off. A Feb. 28 “Note to Readers” from Seymour Hersh reads: “There is a lot going on, and I have a lot to say, but not this week. I had the first of two knee replacements on Tuesday—the price of playing a lot of sports all my life—and the game now is to stay ahead of pain, which is acute. So I am chugging more pills than ever before, and if I sat down at the desk I would write gibberish and think I was Harold Pinter.” Nevertheless, “Trump Downgrades the U.S. Military” came in from him dated March 3.

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