For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio; and to commentary from Consortium News; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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NEWER  lsrael is pulling some troops from southern Gaza. But clearing Hamas from Rafah is still a goal, by Jack Jeffrey and Tia Goldenberg | AP  JERUSALEM — Israel’s military announced today it was drawing back some forces from a Hamas stronghold in southern Gaza, bringing troop presence in the territory to one of the lowest levels since the six-month war began.  The forces will recuperate and . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  Israel reduces troops in south Gaza, Egypt to host new talks, by Ari Rabinovitch and Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  Israel said today it had withdrawn more soldiers from southern Gaza, leaving just one brigade, as it and Hamas sent teams to Egypt for fresh talks over a potential ceasefire. Israel has been reducing numbers in Gaza since the start of the year to relieve reservists and is . . . READ MORE . . .

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6 months of war: Palestinians say the U.S. government lacks empathy for their plight. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR speaks with Palestinian researcher Yousef Munayyer about Palestinian sentiment six months since the start of Israel’s war on Hamas. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israel says its strike that killed aid workers was a mistake. Rights groups say it was no anomaly, by Lee Keath | AP  CAIRO — Two basic mistakes, according to the Israeli military. First, officers overlooked a message detailing the vehicles in the convoy. Second, a spotter saw someone . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli military says it reduces troops in south Gaza. From Reuters. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has withdrawn all ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip except for one brigade, a military spokesperson said today. It was unclear whether . . . READ MORE . . .

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Anger grows even in Arab countries having peace treaties with Israel. Reported by Jane Arraf | NPR  Six months of war in Gaza have sent shock waves through the Arab world. Public anger is growing in Jordan and Lebanon, two countries that have peace treaties with Israel. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israelis say Netanyahu isn’t doing enough to bring home the hostages. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR  Six months after Hamas attacked Israel, how do Israelis regard the the war in Gaza? NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe asks senior fellow Tamar Hermann of the Israel Democracy Institute. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 6  We’re at a tipping point for Biden and Israel, says diplomat. Scott Detrow of NPR talks with former Middle East Envoy Dennis Ross about the latest developments in Israel’s war with Hamas. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 5  British rebellion grows against arming Israel, by Joe Lauria | Special to Consortium News  On Wednesday more than 600 British lawyers, academics and retired senior judges wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak imploring him to cut off military aid and even called for sanctions against the most senior Israeli leaders. The rebellion is erupting in both major parties and in the . . . READ MORE . . .