For today, links to 12 reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, Middle East Eye, and Middle East Monitor, and to commentary from ScheerPost, transcribed from an address at the University of California, Santa Barbara; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below or otherwise highlighted. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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As Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire begins, displaced Lebanese return home in packed cars. From AP. A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah appeared to be holding as residents returned toward southern Lebanon, despite warnings from the Israeli and Lebanese military that they stay away from certain areas. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE reports from Reuters and NPR.
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Biden announced Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire — a significant Middle East development. Rob Schmitz of NPR talks with Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser, about the U.S. role in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon after months of fighting.. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Lebanon army says reinforcing presence in south. From AFP. Lebanon’s army said it began reinforcing its presence in south Lebanon today, after Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced a cabinet decision to bolster the force’s deployment following a Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire. READ MORE . . .
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Hezbollah MP says group cooperating with army on south Lebanon. From AFP. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said today his group was cooperating with the army’s deployment to southern Lebanon under the terms of a new truce with Israel, insisting “there will be no problem there.” READ MORE . . .
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A year ago this week Israel and Hamas agreed to a brief ceasefire in Gaza. Reported by Kat Lonsdorf, Scott Neuman and Michael Levitt | NPR It’s been one year since Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners were exchanged in a brief ceasefire negotiated in the Israel-Hamas war. We look at those released and the status of negotiations. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Lebanon deal shatters Netanyahu’s illusions of reshaping Middle East, Hamas says. From Middle East Eye. Hamas released a statement praising Hezbollah for supporting Gaza and welcoming the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which it said represented a significant blow to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ambitions to “reshape” the Middle East. READ MORE . . .
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UN rapporteurs call for ‘full compliance’ with Netanyahu, Gallant arrest warrants. From Middle East Monitor. UN rapporteurs and other experts called on Tuesday for “full compliance” with the warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. READ MORE . . .
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FROM NOV. 26 Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah set to take hold in a matter of hours. From AP. Israel has approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Just as the deal was announced, Israeli warplanes kept up . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and NPR.
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FROM NOV. 1 To kill a people, by Chris Hedges | ScheerPost Extermination works. At first. This is the terrible lesson of history. If Israel is not stopped — and no outside power appears willing to halt the genocide in Gaza or the destruction of Lebanon — it will achieve its goals of depopulating and annexing northern Gaza. It will turn southern Gaza . . . READ MORE . . .