For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio and, via Consortium News, Common Dreams, and to commentary from Popular Resistance; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date and a 9/11 TRUTH entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM
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Israel presses onslaught in Gaza’s Khan Younis as U.S. pursues ceasefire quest, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Humeyra Pamuk and Bassam Masoud | Reuters DOHA / CAIRO / GAZA — Israeli forces killed at least 14 Palestinians in airstrikes as they pressed their onslaught in Gaza’s main southern city Khan Younis on Tuesday, while the top U.S. diplomat pursued a quest to broker a ceasefire in the four-month-old. . . READ MORE . . .
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Blinken pushes for progress on Gaza cease-fire-for-hostages deal in meetings with Egyptian mediators, by Mattew Lee, Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP CAIRO — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed ahead with a diplomatic tour of the Middle East today, meeting Egyptian leaders as part of his efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in exchange for the release of hostages. His visit . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 5 Blinken is back in the Middle East as U.S. responds to attack. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East, reassuring the region that the U.S. is seeking to de-escalate tensions and pushing for more aid to get into Gaza. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM FEB. 5 In Israel, France’s new foreign minister presses for a cease-fire to end ‘the tragedy in Gaza,’ by Sylvie Corbet | AP PARIS — France’s new foreign minister on Monday used his first visit to Israel to urge the government to allow an “ immediate cease-fire ” and a “massive influx” of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem during . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 2 Western officials warn of war-crimes complicity, by Jake Johnson | Common Dreams / Consortium News Government officials in the United States and Europe, said to number more than 800, released a letter Friday criticizing their countries’ leaders for providing unconditional military and diplomatic support to Israel as it inflicts disaster on Gaza’s population. The authors of the letter, who remain anonymous, wrote that they were “obliged to do everything in our power . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 4 For God’s sake, Joe, what the hell are you doing? by Col. Ann Wright (Ret.) | Popular Resistance It’s 3 a.m. and I can’t sleep again. All of us concerned about Gaza and the West Bank are spending sleepless nights and busy days trying desperately to pressure the Biden administration to stop its complicity in the relentless Israeli genocide in Gaza, to stop providing weapons and money to Israel and to . . . READ MORE . . .