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

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Relatives of Gaza hostages storm Israeli parliament panel as protests mount, by Steven Scheer and Dan Williams | Reuters  JERUSALEM — A group of relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas militants stormed a parliamentary committee session in Jerusalem today, demanding that the lawmakers do more to try to free their loved ones. The action by about 20 people . . . READ MORE . . .

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Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat says it won’t recognize Israel without a path to a Palestinian state, by Melanie Lidman and Wafaa Shurafa | AP  JERUSALEM — Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat, Prince Faisal bin Farman, said Sunday the kingdom will not normalize relations with Israel or contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction without a credible pathway to a Palestinian state — a nonstarter for Israel’s government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel’s Netanyahu rejects Hamas ceasefire demand, opposes Palestinian statehood. Click HERE or HERE for brief video.

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EU pushes for Palestinian statehood, rejecting Israeli leader’s insistence it’s off the table, by Lorne Cook | AP  BRUSSELS — European Union foreign ministers argued today that the creation of a Palestinian state is the only credible way to achieve peace in the Middle East, and they expressed concern about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s clear rejection of the idea. “The declarations . . . READ MORE . . .