For today, links to reports from the Cradle and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA, SYRIA, IRAN and UKRAINE entries are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. WEST BANK 2-4-23 and WEST BANK 2-3-25 entries are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 4  Lone resistance fighter storms Israeli army post in West Bank, shooting several soldiers. From the Cradle. A lone resistance fighter infiltrated the Israeli military post near a checkpoint in the village of Tayasir at around 6 a.m. on Monday and began opening fire at troops before being killed. The fighter . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli forces detain 30 Palestinians in West Bank raids. From Middle East Eye. Israeli forces have arrested at least 30 Palestinians, including a child and former detainees, during ongoing raids across the occupied West Bank, as reported by the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society and the Prisoners’ Affairs Authority. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to three reports: from NBC News and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA, WEST BANK, IRAN and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, IRAN and HERE. SYRIA 2-4-25 entry is HERE.) — MCM

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Defense Department drafting plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria after recent Trump comments, by Courtney Kube | NBC News  The Defense Department is developing plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, two U.S. defense officials said on Tuesday. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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FROM FEB. 4  Erdogan hosts Syria’s de facto president, offers ‘support to rebuild.’ From the Cradle. Speaking alongside de facto Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Ankara on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to 12 reports: from the Associated Press, Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, the Moscow Times, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA, WEST BANK, SYRIA and IRAN entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. UKRAINE 2-3-25 entry is HERE.) — MCM   

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Ukraine wants partner countries to join in postwar development worth billions, by Illia Novakov | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said today the country wants to collaborate with partner countries on postwar projects worth billions of dollars not just in mining rare earth elements, but also . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky: ‘A good day’ as 150 soldiers freed from Russian captivity. From Kyiv Post. Ukraine has secured the return of 150 soldiers from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced today. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Ukraine’s military to roll out units of robotic vehicles, by Max Hunder | Reuters  KYIV — Ukraine’s military will create robotic vehicle units to deploy at the front, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said today, as Kyiv and Moscow vie to gain a technological . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin confirms contacts with Trump White House officials. From the Moscow Times. “There are indeed contacts between certain agencies, and they have intensified recently,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 4  5 killed, 55 injured in Russian missile strike on Izium in Kharkiv Oblast, by Martin Fornuse | The Kyiv Independent  A Russian missile attack on Tuesday against the town of Izium in Kharkiv Oblast killed at least five people and injured at least 55, Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Kharkov Region, Donbass area over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated two communities in the Kharkov Region and the Donbass area 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. 4  Ukraine hits school bus with drone in Zaporozhye Region. From Tass. MELITOPOL — The Ukrainian armed forces attacked a school bus in the Zaporozhye Region with an unmanned aerial vehicle, according to the region’s governor, Yevgeny Balitsky. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 4  Ukraine’s politics warms up as U.S. focuses on war’s endgame, by Tom Balmforth and Yuliia Dysa | Reuters  KYIV – After Russia’s 2022 invasion, Ukraine’s normally febrile political life was becalmed under martial law. But there have been growing signs of activity picking up. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB.  4  Russian attacks near Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure heighten scrutiny of Kyiv’s preparedness, by Samya Kullab and Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Moscow’s renewed attacks on Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure this winter . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 4  Ukraine sees surge in inquiries from Russian families on missing soldiers. From AFP. Ukraine received a surge in queries last month from Russian families seeking information on missing relatives serving in Moscow’s army, Kyiv said on Tuesday. The government last year established a hotline for Russians to learn details of . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 4  Ukraine’s rare earth minerals: What Is Trump eyeing in Ukraine? From Kyiv Post. “They have great rare earth,” U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday. “And I want security of the rare earth, and they’re willing to do it.” He said he might supply aid to Ukraine in exchange for . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to six reports: from the Associated Press, the Cradle, Common Dreams, National Public Radio, and Reuters, and to commentary from Indian Punchline and Middle East Eye; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (WEST BANK, LEBANON, SYRIA and IRAN entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.) — MCM

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Trump warns ‘no guarantees’ fragile Gaza truce will hold as Netanyahu heads to DC for talks, by Aamer Madhani and Tia Goldenberg | AP   WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu were set to meet today as the Israeli prime minister faces competing pressure from his right-wing coalition to end a temporary truce against Hamas militants in Gaza and from war-weary Israelis who . . . READ MORE . . .

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Trump approves $1 billion in new bombs, armored bulldozers for Israel. From the Cradle. U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Congress to approve transferring $1 billion worth of additional bombs and other military equipment to Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 3  Official Gaza death toll soars to 62,000, by Julia Conley | Common Dreams / Consortium News  Authorities in Gaza and human rights advocates have warned for months that because of the devastation of the enclave’s healthcare system and civil services, the official death toll was likely a significant undercount — and on Monday, officials said . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 3  Trump has a deal for Netanyahu when they meet Tuesday. Will he take it? Reported by Daniel Estrin  | NPR TEL AVIV — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit Tuesday will be rife with symbolism: He’s the first world leader to meet President Trump since the inauguration two weeks ago. It will also be a crucial day for the future of the Middle East — and Netanyahu himself. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Palestinian statehood ‘key to resolve all issues’ in West Asia: Lavrov. From the Cradle. “The two-state solution has the support of all external powers,”  including the Biden administration, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a conference in Moscow. “The Trump administration has not yet . . . READ MORE . . .

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A Gaza family’s journey home to the ruins, by Ramadan Abed and Dawoud Abu Alkas | Reuters  The family of Ismael Mohammed had learned from relatives that their home had been destroyed in an air strike, but they had been ready to return as soon as the ceasefire was agreed. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 3  Trump turn is bad news for West Asia, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  On Tuesday the international community will get to see President Donald Trump wading into the midstream of West Asia’s crisis, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters the Oval Office hoping for an opportunity to shape U.S. regional policy. Do you get déjà vu? . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 3  Gaza is a Palestinian homeland, not Trump’s luxury resort, by Soumaya Ghannoushi | Middle East Eye  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already set in motion the outcome U.S. President Donald Trump wants. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to four reports: from Reuters and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA, LEBANON, SYRIA and IRAN entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.) — MCM

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Israeli military operation turns Jenin refugee camp into ‘ghost town.’ From Reuters. JENIN — Two weeks after the Israeli military operation began, Jenin is largely deserted, with thousands of Palestinians having left their homes, taking only what they could carry. After destroying roadways and other infrastructure, Israeli forces . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 3  West Bank witnesses ‘replication of Gaza’ as Israel displaces thousands. From the Cradle. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said on Tuesday it is facilitating mass evacuations of civilians from the Jenin and Tulkarem refugee camps in the occupied West Bank, as . . . READ MORE . . .

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Trump approves $1 billion in new bombs, armored bulldozers for Israel. From the Cradle. U.S. President Donald Trump has asked Congress to approve transferring $1 billion worth of additional bombs and other military equipment to Israel, The Wall Street Journal reported today. READ MORE . . .

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Palestinian statehood ‘key to resolve all issues’ in West Asia: Lavrov. From the Cradle. “The two-state solution has the support of all external powers,”  including the Biden administration, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a conference in Moscow. “The Trump administration has not yet . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, a link to commentary from Indian Punchline; other articles are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA, WEST BANK, SYRIA and IRAN entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 3  Trump turn is bad news for West Asia, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  On Tuesday the international community will get to see President Donald Trump wading into the midstream of West Asia’s crisis, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters the Oval Office hoping for an opportunity to shape U.S. regional policy. Do you get déjà vu? . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Reuters and Middle East Eye, and to commentary from Indian Punchline and the Cradle; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA, WEST BANK, LEBANON and IRAN entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. SYRIA 2-2-25 and SYRIA 2-3-25 entries are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Syria’s Sharaa to discuss defense pact with Turkey’s Erdogan: sources. From Reuters. AMMAN / BEIRUT / DAMASCUS — Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan were expected to discuss a joint defense pact in Ankara today, including . . .  READ MORE . . .

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Manbij car bomb attack suspends SDF-Damascus talks, by Ragip Soylu | Middle East Eye  ANKARA — A deadly car bomb attack that killed at least 20 people on Monday near northern Syria’s Manbij has suspended negotiations between the Damascus interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, according to two sources familiar with . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 3  Trump turn is bad news for West Asia, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  On Tuesday the international community will get to see President Donald Trump wading into the midstream of West Asia’s crisis, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters the Oval Office hoping for an opportunity to shape U.S. regional policy. Do you get déjà vu? . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 31  In Syria, the lunatics are running the asylum, by Fuad Walid Itayim | The Cradle  For years, many speculated what Syria – a country with deep religious and cultural diversity – would look like if the armed, extremist-dominated opposition managed to overthrow Bashar al-Assad’s government. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to a report from Middle East Monitor and to commentary from Indian Punchline; other articles are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA, WEST BANK, LEBANON and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 3  Iran expresses concern to Azerbaijan on Israel presence in country. From Middle East Monitor. Iran has expressed concern to Azerbaijan regarding Israel’s alleged presence within the country, amid increasingly bitter relations between Tehran and Baku. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 3  Trump turn is bad news for West Asia, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  On Tuesday the international community will get to see President Donald Trump wading into the midstream of West Asia’s crisis, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters the Oval Office hoping for an opportunity to shape U.S. regional policy. Do you get déjà vu? . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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Israeli PM Netanyahu visits D.C. for talks with President Trump. Reported by Kat Lonsdorf and Michel Martin | NPR  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington for talks with President Trump, as negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire are supposedly due to begin. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. discusses Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. Reported by Steve Inskeep | NPR  With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington as negotiations for the next phase of the ceasefire with Hamas get under way, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, is interviewed. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Aid is surging into Gaza under the ceasefire. Is it helping? by Julia Frankel | AP  JERUSALEM — Two weeks after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect, aid is flooding into the Gaza Strip, bringing relief to a territory suffering from hunger, mass displacement and devastation following 15 months of war. READ MORE . . .

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Palestinians appeal for help with short-term shelter in Gaza, by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta | Reuters  CAIRO / RAMALLAH — With fighting in Gaza paused, Palestinians are appealing for billions of dollars in emergency aid — from heavy machinery to clear rubble to tents and caravans to house people made homeless by Israeli bombardment. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 2  Will Trump end Netanyahu’s rule? by Ameer Makhoul | Middle East Eye  The Gaza ceasefire agreement, landing on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration, reflected the high priority of this deal for the Trump administration. But in Israel . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to six reports: from National Public Radio, Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, Middle East Eye, and Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Israeli PM Netanyahu visits D.C. for talks with President Trump. Reported by Kat Lonsdorf and Michel Martin | NPR  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington for talks with President Trump, as negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire are supposedly due to begin. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. discusses Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. Reported by Steve Inskeep | NPR  With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Washington as negotiations for the next phase of the ceasefire with Hamas get under way, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, is interviewed. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israeli military blows up buildings in West Bank refugee camp. From Reuters. RAMALLAH / JERUSALEM — The Palestinian state news agency said Sunday the operation in the occupied West Bank leveled around 20 buildings. READ MORE . . .

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Israeli forces demolish more homes as West Bank offensive enters 14th day, by Qais Abu Samra and Ahmed Asmar | Anadolu Agency  RAMALLAH, Palestine  Eyewitnesses said today the Israeli army raided Silat al-Harithiya town, west of Jenin city, and cordoned off a number of homes, ordering those inside to surrender. READ MORE . . .

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Over 2,000 attacks by settlers and Israeli forces in West Bank in January, says Palestinian Authority. From Middle East Eye. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission says additionally that more than 912 military checkpoints were established by the occupation . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Middle East Monitor.