For today, links to seven reports: from Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, Anadolu Agency, and Reuters; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 7-4-25 is HERE, or scroll down. IRAN, MEDIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

The spy, private equity baron and ghost of a Trump donor: The revolving door behind a Gaza mercenary firm, by Sean Mathews and Dania Akkad | Middle East Eye  The U.S. mercenary firm overseeing a controversial Gaza aid programme is the creation of a bespectacled Chicago private equity baron and a CIA spy with old ties to a Donald Trump ally who participated in one of the Middle East’s nastiest diplomatic rifts. The story of . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for two July 2 reports from AP.

–   –   –

UNRWA calls for immediate fuel delivery to Israel-blockaded Gaza before shutdown of basic services, by Betul Yilmaz | Anadolu Agency  ISTANBUL — “Without urgent shipments of fuel into Gaza,” the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said today in a statement, “a complete shutdown of basic services will bring even more suffering: a collective punishment. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel receives Hamas’ response to ceasefire proposal, details being discussed: Israeli media, by Zein Khalil and Betul Yilmaz | Anadolu Agency  JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL — Israel has received Hamas’ response to a new ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip, and discussions for details are underway, Israeli media reported today. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JULY 4  Hamas says it has given a ‘positive’ response to the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza, by Wafaa Shurafa, Bassem Mroue and Samya Kullab | AP  DEIR al-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Hamas said Friday it has given a “positive” response to the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza but said further talks were needed on implementation. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for July 5 report from Reuters.

.