For today, links to four reports: from the Anadolu Agency, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (SYRIA, LEBANON, WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for this date and a MEDIA entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. GAZA 2-22-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Hamas halts talks with Israel until release of Palestinian prisoners under Gaza ceasefire deal, by Mohammad Majid and Ahmed Asmar | Anadolu Agency  GAZA CITY, Palestine — A Hamas leader said today his group will not engage in negotiations with Israel until the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners who were scheduled to be released by Tel Aviv on Saturday under the first phase , , , READ MORE . . .

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Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release; moves tanks into West Bank. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Kat Lonsdorf | NPR  TEL AVIV — In a significant disruption of the Gaza ceasefire deal, Israel is delaying the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners after Hamas released Israeli hostages in ceremonies Israel called humiliating. In the occupied West Bank . . . Click HERE to read and, later, listen.

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FROM FEB. 22  Israel delays the release of Palestinian prisoners after Hamas frees 6 hostages, by Wafaa Shurafa, Mohammed Jahjouh and Melanie Lidman | AP  TEL AVIV — Israel delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners without explanation Saturday after Hamas released the last six living hostages expected under the ceasefire ‘s first phase, with a week remaining in the initial stage. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 22  Saudi Arabia hosts ‘informal’ Arab summit on post-war Gaza. From the Cradle. Saudi Arabia hosted an “informal” summit of Arab states in its capital Riyadh on 21 February to discuss regional efforts to propose an alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial expulsion and reconstruction plan for Gaza. The meeting . . .READ MORE . . .