For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, and the Associated Press, and to commentary from the Institute for Arts and Ideas; other reports and commentary are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Al Jazeera condemns Israel ‘targeting’ Gaza journalists. From AFP. Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera today condemned Israel for “targeting” and severely wounding two of its Gaza journalists in a strike. Reporter Ismail Abu Omar’s life is at risk and cameraman Ahmad Matar was severely wounded when the pair were hit in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah. The network said . . . READ MORE . . .
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A new effort begins in Egypt to work out a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Greg Myre | NPR Discussions are expected to focus on a cease-fire of up to 45 days — as well as another exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Israel and Hamas are making progress in cease-fire and hostage release talks, officials say, by Amy Magdy, Najib Jobain and Tia Goldenberg | AP CAIRO — Talks continued today in Egypt, with Israel threatening to expand its offensive to Gaza’s southern edge, where some 1.4 million Palestinians have sought refuge. Israeli forces Monday rescued two captives held in the packed southern city of Rafah in a raid that killed at least 74 Palestinians, according to . . . READ MORE . . .
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France sanctions 28 ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers. From AFP. France has banned 28 Israelis from entering the European country, accusing them of attacking Arabs in Judea and Samaria, its foreign ministry said today. One day earlier, the UK announced similar measures. The statement did not name the 28 individuals who . . . READ MORE . . .
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Italy says Israeli response to Hamas ‘disproportionate.’ From AFP. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says Israel’s bombing of Gaza, where civilian deaths are rising, is “disproportionate.” While strongly condemning the Hamas attack . . . READ MORE . . .
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UNWRA funding freezes risk ‘aiding’ deaths in Gaza: Saudi official. From AFP. Freezing funds to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees risks “aiding” the deaths of civilians in Gaza, the head of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian agency said today. Several countries – including the United States, Britain, Germany and Japan – have suspended . . . READ MORE . . .
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What’s inside the Senate’s $95 billion bill to aid Ukraine and Israel and counter China, by Kevin Freking | AP WASHINGTON — The Senate early today passed an emergency spending package that would provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel; replenish U.S. weapons systems; and provide food, water, and other humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. The Senate jettisoned from the package a . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 11 American allies worry the U.S. is growing less dependable, whether Trump or Biden wins, by Jill Lawlesss | AP LONDON — As chances rise of a Joe Biden-Donald Trump rematch in the U.S. presidential election race, America’s allies are bracing for a bumpy ride. Many worry that a second term for Trump would be an earthquake, but tremors already . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 12 Biden says ‘key elements’ of a Gaza deal are on the table as he meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah, by Colleen Long and Zeke Miller | AP WASHINGTON — Declaring that “every innocent life lost in Gaza is a tragedy,” President Joe Biden welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah II to the White House Monday for talks on how to end the months-long war and plan for what comes afterward. The meeting . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM EARLY FEB. 12 Biden to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah who’s pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen of the U.S. Institute of Peace before Monday’s visit to the White House by King Abdullah of Jordan visits the White House. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM FEB. 12 Could a Rafah offensive be a breaking point in Biden’s support of Israel? Reported by Connor Donevan, Brianna Scott, Mary Louise Kelly and Courtney Dorning | NPR Kelly talks with ex-Middle East envoy Dennis Ross, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, about the deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and Israel. Click HERE to listen and, later, read
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FROM FEB. 12 Palestinians in Rafah describe the airstrikes of Sunday night. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR The Israeli military said it rescued two hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 from a house in Rafah. It used air strikes as a diversion, killing more than 60 Palestinians, according to health officials. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM FEB. 12 6-year-old Gaza girl was found dead days after pleading for rescue from Israeli fire. Reported by Aya Batrawy | NPR A girl in Gaza’s pleas for help were heard around the world, but over the weekend the Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed the child was killed along with an ambulance crew that tried to rescue her. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM LATE JANUARY The death of ideology. Alexis Papazoglou of IAI talks with political theorist John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago on Russia, Israel, China, and Washington’s interactions with them, among other topics. Click HERE for 22-minute YouTube video and comments.