For today, links to reports from National Public Radio, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Thousands of Israeli troops pulled from Gaza as combat focuses on Khan Younis. Steve Inskeep of NPR talks with ex-Middle East envoy Dennis Ross, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, about Israel’s next steps after its decision to pull thousands of troops out of Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Fighting between Hamas and Israel rages on, Palestinian death toll passes 22,000, by Dan Williams, Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Arafat Barbakh | Reuters  JERUSALEM / CAIRO / GAZA — Israel said today its troops had killed dozens of militants in the north of the Gaza Strip in the past day, while its aircraft and tanks stepped up strikes in the south of the Palestinian enclave. Residents said heavy fighting was also raging in central areas, citing shelling by Israeli tanks of . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hamas chief says Israeli hostages to be released only under group’s ‘terms.’ From AFP. Talks are underway for the release of a dozen hostages held by Hamas, including six Americans, in return for a three-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a source close to Hamas claims. “Talks revolve around . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel says it will defend itself against genocide accusations at world court filed by South Africa, by Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy and Melanie Lidman | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli official says Israel will defend itself against genocide accusations filed by South Africa with the world court. Eylon Levy, an official in the Israeli prime minister’s office, today accused South Africa of “giving political and legal cover” to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack . . . READ MORE . . .

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Palestinians in Lebanon’s Shatila camp share their feelings about the war in Gaza.Reported by Jane Arraf | NPR  In 1982, local militias allied with Israel killed hundreds in Lebanon’s Shatila camp. While much has changed in the camp in the last four decades, Palestinians still hold the memory. Click HERE to listen and read.