For today, Thanksgiving Day in the United States, links to reports from National Public Radio, Reuters, and the Associated Press, followed by commentary from Moon of Alabama; other articles are accessible by clicking on their sources’ names or initials below. (The UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Friday is the soonest the deal with Hamas would take effect, Israeli official says. Reported by A Martínez and Lauren Frayer | NPR  Israel’s national security adviser said in a statement that the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza, in return for a release of Palestinians held by Israel, won’t start before Friday. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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War rages on in Gaza as truce delayed until at least Friday, by Bassam Masoud and Emily Rose | Reuters  GAZA / JERUSALEM —  Columns of black smoke could be seen rising above northern Gaza’s war zone from across the fence in Israel as daylight broke over the Gaza Strip today. Israel said the release of hostages, meant to be accompanied by the war’s first ceasefire, would be delayed at least until Friday. The Israeli . . . READ MORE . . .

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Shadowy Hamas leader in Gaza is at top of Israel’s hit list after last month’s deadly attack, by Bassem Mroue and Melanie Lidman| AP  The mastermind of the Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the worst Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed in generations is a secretive figure, feared on both sides of the battle lines. In Gaza, no figure looms larger in determining the future trajectory of the war than the obsessive, disciplined and dictatorial Yehya Sinwar. READ MORE . . .

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There are certain things I can not write about, by Moon of Alabama | moonofalabama.com  I have tried to write about Gaza. But I am too aghast, outraged and depressed to create a sensible piece. So instead of coming up with something by myself I will leave you with a few links:  * Alastair Crooke (fmr British Diplomat ): Evaluating . . . READ MORE . . .