For today, links to five reports: from Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others or at least headlines for others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (IRAN, SYRIA, WEST BANK, LEBANON and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  GAZA 3-16-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israeli airstrike kills three in Gaza, medics say. From Reuters. CAIRO — An Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian men in the Gaza Strip, medics said today, and there was no sign of progress at renewed ceasefire talks. READ MORE . . .

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EU foreign policy chief welcomes Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction, by Necva Tastan Sevinc | Anadolu Agency  ISTANBUL — EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas today supported the Arab-led plan to reconstruct Gaza, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to assisting in the region’s recovery. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 16  Hamas says it will only release American-Israeli hostage if ceasefire deal is implemented, by Samy Magdy | AP  CAIRO — Hamas said Saturday it will only release an American-Israeli and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel implements their ceasefire agreement, calling it an “exceptional deal” aimed at getting the truce back on track. READ MORE . . .

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Why are the Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks stuck? Reported by Daniel Estrin and Aya Batrawy | NPR  TEL AVIV / DUBAI — Arab mediators are working to secure a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas after weeks of concerted U.S. involvement, including secret direct talks with the group. Efforts are stuck at the same . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM MARCH 16  Thousands of children have been wounded in Gaza. We catch up with one of them. Reported by Rob Schmitz and Anas Baba | NPR  NPR producer Anas Baba reunites with Nimer sadi al nimer, a 12 year old boy who was shot by Israeli forces in Gaza last year. Click HERE to listen and read.

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