For today, links to four reports: from Reuters, the Associated Press, and the Cradle, and to commentary from Consortium News; other articles or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON, IRAN, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. GAZA 3-8-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 8  Israel, Hamas signal readiness for next ceasefire talks as mediators push for progress, by Nidal al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO / JERUSALEM — Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for AP report.

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 7  Israel ‘sabotaging’ direct talks between Trump, Hamas officials: reports. From the Cradle. Israel has been attempting to obstruct recent talks held directly between Hamas officials and representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, according to reports in Hebrew media. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 8  Netanyahu’s refusal to end Gaza genocide killed over 40 Israeli captives: report. From the Cradle. Of the 251 Israeli soldiers and civilians taken captive by Hamas to Gaza on 7 October 2023, 41 have been killed, including many by Israeli bombing and friendly fire, according to an analysis by the New York Times published on Saturday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MARCH 7  Israeli hostages & the ceasefire, by Jonathan Cook | Consortium News  Those of us who keep banging on about Israel’s use of the so-called Hannibal directive on Oct. 7, 2023, — in which Israel killed its own citizens to stop them being taken captive by Hamas — have been smeared as excusing Hamas crimes that day. READ MORE . . .

.