For today, links to five reports: from the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, SBS News, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (WEST BANK, SYRIA, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  LEBANON 2-23-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Hezbollah chief who was killed days after taking up post laid to rest in south Lebanon hometown, by Bassem Mroue | AP  BEIRUT — The late leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group who was killed in an Israeli airstrike days after he took the post was laid to rest in his southern hometown today, a day after his cousin and predecessor was buried in Beirut. Hashem Safieddine, who . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 23  Lebanon bids farewell to the Nasrallah era, by Nader Durgham | Middle East Eye  BEIRUT — It has taken five months until Hezbollah has been able to lay Hassan Nasrallah, the charismatic leader who led the ferocious resistance movement and powerful Shia political party for three decades, to rest. READ MORE . . .

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Massive crowds mourn Hezbollah’s slain leader Nasrallah, as Israeli jets fly overhead. From SBS News. Hundreds of thousands of people bid farewell to Hezbollah’s slain leader, Hassan Nasrallah, at a mass funeral in Beirut on Sunday, nearly five months after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike in a blow to the Iranian-backed group. Click HERE for article and brief video.

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FROM FEB. 23  Huge crowds gather in Lebanon for funeral of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Reported by Jane Arraf | NPR  BEIRUT, Lebanon — Hezbollah buried its founder Hassan Nasrallah in a huge state-like funeral on Sunday, marking the end of an era for the militant Shiite group. Hezbollah held the event amid vows that followers would continue his legacy of resistance against Israel and the United States. Click HERE to listen and read, and HERE for Feb. 23 report from AP.

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For today, links to five reports: from Middle East Eye, the Cradle, National Public Radio, and Reuters, and to a book review and brief video from Middle East Monitor; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below. (WEST BANK, SYRIA, LEBANON and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  GAZA 2-23-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israel imposes new conditions on release of seventh batch of Palestinian prisoners. From Middle East Eye. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, citing an unnamed source, reported that Israel is willing to free Palestinian prisoners whose release was previously delayed. However, . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hamas says ‘no new talks’ until Israel respects Gaza ceasefire terms. From the Cradle. Hamas has said that it will not hold any further ceasefire talks until Israel commits to the agreement and releases the Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be let out over the weekend. READ MORE . . .

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Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release, while sending tanks to occupied West Bank. Reported by Kat Lonsdorf and Leila Fadel | NPR  Israel delayed a Palestinian prisoner release, accusing Hamas of “humiliating” hostages, while also sending tanks into the occupied West Bank for the first time in decades. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM FEB. 23  Trump envoy will push for Gaza truce extension in the region this week, he says. From Reuters. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to the Middle East this week, he said on Sunday, to push for the extension of a fragile Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The three-stage ceasefire . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 22  Seventh round of Gaza prisoner exchange underway as hundreds of Palestinians set for release. From the Cradle. The Palestinian resistance handed over three Israeli soldier captives to the Red Cross on Saturday afternoon, hours after the release of two others that morning as part of the seventh round of ceasefire exchanges. Click HERE for article and brief video.

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FROM FEB. 23  Witnessing annihilation, a book review by Anjuman Rahman | Middle East Monitor  In Eyes on Gaza (Street Noise Books, 2025), Khaled Beydoun, an Arab-American law professor, crafts a haunting and deeply personal account of the genocide unfolding in Gaza, balancing . . .  Click HERE for review and a video of author speaking.

 

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For today, links to eleven reports: from Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, the Associated Press, Reuters, Kyiv Post, National Public Radio, and the Moscow Times, and to commentary from the Moscow Times; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (WEST BANK, SYRIA, LEBANON and GAZA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up. UKRAINE 2-23-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Russia will end Ukraine war only on its terms, Lavrov says. From AFP. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that Moscow was open to negotiations on ending the war against Ukraine but would only halt fighting when a peace settlement “suits” its interests. Speaking in Turkey . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Western leaders visit Kyiv and pledge military support against Russia on the war’s 3rd anniversary, by Justin Spike | AP  KYIV — More than a dozen Western leaders attended events in Ukraine today marking the third anniversary of the country’s war with Russia, many pledging more military aid in a conspicuous show of support for Kyiv as uncertainty . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and Kyiv Post.

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What are the prospects for peace in Ukraine 3 years after Russia launched its war? Reported by Joanna Kakissis, Charles Maynes and Leila Fadel | NPR  Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, what has been the impact of the largest conflict in Europe since World War II? How does the U.S. pivot toward Russia affect peace prospects? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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In photos: Ukrainian cities before and after Russia’s full-scale invasion. From the Moscow Times. The scars of the war can be seen in cities big and small, east and west, on historical landmarks and industrial facilities, on . . . Click HERE for intro and photographs.

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Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Russian refinery in Ryazan Oblast for 3rd time in 2025, by Kateryna Hodunova | The Kyiv Independent  Drones operated by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Ryazan Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on Feb. 24. READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops liberate Topoli community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated the community of Topoli in the Kharkov Region 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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Invasion of Ukraine was ‘God’s will,’ Putin says. From the Moscow Times. The Russian president made the statement Sunday to soldiers after a Kremlin ceremony where he awarded them state decorations. READ MORE . . .

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Historian Anne Applebaum on what Trump’s alignment with Russia means. Reported by Leila Fadel, Arezou Rezvani and Obed Manuel | NPR  President Trump’s cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin marks a significant departure from decades of U.S. foreign policy. For years . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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After 3 years of war, Ukraine is in an absurd position, by Elena Davlikanova | The Moscow Times  For over a decade, Ukraine has stood as the barrier to Russia’s bid to reclaim dominance in Europe. Now . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, link to four reports: from the Cradle, the Anadolu Agency, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON, WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down. SYRIA 2-22-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Syrians in Quneitra call for preserving unity, resisting Israeli occupation. From the Cradle. Participants in a dialogue session held in southern Syria’s Quneitra Governorate on Saturday have called for preserving the unity of the country, liberating the occupied Golan Heights from Israel, and resisting Israeli incursions into additional Syrian territory. READ  MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 22  U.S. airstrike kills Al-Qaeda operative in Syria’s northwest. From the Cradle. The U.S.-led coalition in Syria killed a senior leader of an Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hurras al-Din, in an airstrike in the northwest of the country, the U.S. military announced on Saturday. READ MORE . . .

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Netanyahu says Israeli army to stay in Syria buffer zone ‘indefinitely,’ by Ahmed Asmar | Anadolu Agency  ANKARA — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this evening that his army will stay in Syria’s buffer zone “indefinitely.” READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 21  Syria’s national dialogue conference is in flux amid pressure for a political transition, by Abby Sewell | AP  DAMASCUS — An official with the committee preparing a national dialogue conference in Syria to help chart the country’s future said Friday it has not been decided whether . . . READ  MORE . . .

For today, links to three reports: from the Anadolu Agency and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (SYRIA, WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE, or scroll up or down.  LEBANON 2-21-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israeli air strikes target in Lebanon amid late Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s funeral, by Ikram Kouachi | Anadolu Agency  ANKARA — Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on several towns in eastern and southern Lebanon today amid a mass funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and despite an ongoing ceasefire. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for earlier Anadolu report, and HERE for report from the Cradle.

 

For today, links to four reports: from the Cradle, Reuters, Middle East Eye, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, LEBANON, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  WEST BANK 2-21-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.)— MCM

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Israeli tanks enter occupied West Bank for first time since 2002. From the Cradle. Israeli tanks entered the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on 23 February for the first time since the Second Intifada in 2002, WAFA news agency reported. Israeli forces . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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Israel to deny return of forcibly expelled Palestinians from West Bank camps, minister says. From Middle East Eye. The Israeli army will stay in some occupied West Bank refugee camps for the “coming year”, denying the return of some 40,000 forcibly expelled Palestinians to their homes, Defence Minister Israel Katz said today. READ MORE . . .

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Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release; moves tanks into West Bank. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Kat Lonsdorf | NPR  TEL AVIV —  In a significant disruption of the Gaza ceasefire deal, Israel is delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners after Hamas released Israeli hostages in ceremonies Israel called humiliating. In the occupied West Bank, Israel’s military is intensifying an offensive against a Palestinian militant stronghold . . . Click HERE to read and, later, listen.

For today, links to four reports: from the Anadolu Agency, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (SYRIA, LEBANON, WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. GAZA 2-22-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Hamas halts talks with Israel until release of Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire deal, by Mohammad Majid and Ahmed Asmar | Anadolu Agency  GAZA CITY, Palestine — A Hamas leader said today his group will not engage in negotiations with Israel until the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners who were scheduled to be released by Tel Aviv on Saturday under the first phase , , , READ MORE . . .

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Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release; moves tanks into West Bank. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Kat Lonsdorf | NPR  TEL AVIV — In a significant disruption of the Gaza ceasefire deal, Israel is delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners after Hamas released Israeli hostages in ceremonies Israel called humiliating. In the occupied West Bank . . . Click HERE to read and, later, listen.

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FROM FEB. 22  Israel delays the release of Palestinian prisoners after Hamas frees 6 hostages, by Wafaa Shurafa, Mohammed Jahjouh and Melanie Lidman | AP  TEL AVIV — Israel delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners without explanation Saturday after Hamas released the last six living hostages expected under the ceasefire ‘s first phase, with a week remaining in the initial stage. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 22  Saudi Arabia hosts ‘informal’ Arab summit on post-war Gaza. From the Cradle. Saudi Arabia hosted an “informal” summit of Arab states in its capital Riyadh on 21 February to discuss regional efforts to propose an alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial expulsion and reconstruction plan for Gaza. The meeting . . .READ MORE . . .

For today, links to nine reports: from Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, Tass, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or addresses below. (SYRIA, LEBANON, WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  UKRAINE 2-22-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM   

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Russia launches largest drone attack on Ukraine, Kyiv says. From Reuters. KYIV — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said today that Russia launched more than 200 drones in an overnight attack, the largest of the war, as he condemned Russia’s “aerial terror” and called for unity among Ukraine’s allies. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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U.S. aid to Ukraine provided as grants, not loans: Zelenskyy, by Esra Tekin | Anadolu Agency  ISTANBUL — The U.S. aid to Ukraine was provided as grants, not loans, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said today, rejecting claims that $500 billion in assistance should be treated as debt. READ MORE . . .

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UK PM says no talks ‘about Ukraine, without Ukraine’ on eve of DC trip, by Christopher Stewart | Kyiv Post  UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today reiterated the UK’s “ironclad support” for Ukraine before heading to Washington with French President Macron to meet Trump. READ MORE . . .

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Russia says its Ka-52M helicopter destroyed Ukrainian troops, vehicles in Kursk Region. From Tass. MOSCOW — A Ka-52M helicopter struck Ukrainian troops and armored vehicles with missiles near the border in the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. READ MORE . . .

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Why Ukrainians are skeptical of a ceasefire deal even after 3 years of war. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR speaks with Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk about how Ukrainians feel about the ceasefire discussions that don’t include them — three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Click HERE later to listen and, still later, read.

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FROM FEB. 22  Trump-Putin summit preparations are underway, Russia says. From AP. Preparations are underway for a face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Saturday. The meeting would be a clear departure from Western . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin hails Putin-Trump dialogue as promising. From AFP. The Kremlin today hailed dialogue between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin — two “extraordinary” presidents — as “promising”, and vowed it would “never” give up territory seized in eastern Ukraine. READ MORE . . .

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Putin says Russian soldiers in Ukraine ‘defending Russia’s future.’ From AFP. Russian President Vladimir Putin said today his soldiers in Ukraine are defending “national interests” and vowed “unchanged” determination to strengthen the country’s armed forces in a rapidly changing world. The comments . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to a report from National Public Radio, to a conversation from ScheerPost, and to a related website; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, LEBANON, WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, or scroll up.  MEDIA 2-21-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 22  A Mississippi judge’s order against a local newspaper sparks censorship claims. Reported by Michael McEwen | NPR  A judge in Mississippi has ordered a small town newspaper to take down an editorial critical of city officials. The paper’s owner calls it a violation of free speech.  Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM FEB. 21  Unmasking censorship: How independent journalism is challenging media control in the age of big tech. Robert Scheer of ScheerPost talks with Shealeigh Voitl and Andy Lee Roth of Project Censored about media and independent journalism, including “alarming” censorship trends, the influence of the internet, and “systemic inequalities” and “failures within our democratic structures.” Click HERE for video and transcript of conversation, and HERE for Project Censored.

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll down. GAZA 2-21-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Hamas frees the sixth and final hostage in the latest exchange, by Wafaa Shurafa, Mohammed and Jahjouh and Melanie Lidman | AP  TEL AVIV — The Israeli military says the sixth and final hostage has been released by Hamas in the latest exchange today and has arrived back in Israel. READ MORE . . .

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Hamas frees five hostages in Gaza after body of Shiri Bibas returned. From Reuters. Hamas freed five hostages and was set to release one more from Gaza today in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, after Israel confirmed that a body handed over hours earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas. READ MORE . . .

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Arab leaders meet in Saudi Arabia to hash out Gaza plan to counter Trump. From AFP. RIYADH — Arab leaders met in Riyadh on Friday to craft a plan for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for the United States to take over the territory without its Palestinian inhabitants. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED