For today, links to six reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and the Anadolu Agency, and to commentary from Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
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Israeli protesters block highways, call for cease-fire to return hostages 9 months into ongoing war, by Melanie Lidman and Samy Magdy | AP TEL AVIV — Marking nine months since the war in Gaza started, Israeli protesters blocked highways across the country today, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down and pushing for a cease-fire to bring back scores of hostages held by Hamas. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and the Anadolu Agency.
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Hamas says it’s waiting for Israeli response on Gaza ceasefire proposal, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters CAIRO — Hamas is waiting for a response from Israel on its ceasefire proposal, two officials from the militant Islamist group said today, five days after it accepted a key part of a U.S. plan aimed at ending the nine-month-old war in Gaza. READ MORE . . .
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Israeli delegation headed to Qatar for Gaza cease-fire talks, by Said Amori | Anadolu Agency JERUSALEM — An Israeli negotiating team will leave Monday for Qatar to continue talks on a hostage swap deal and cease-fire in the Gaza Strip with Palestinian factions, according to Israeli media, citing informed sources. Reportedly . . . READ MORE . . .
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Gaza children spend 8 hours per day carrying food, water: UN, by Rania R.a. Abushamala | Anadolu Agency ISTANBUL — The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees said Saturday that children in the Gaza Strip spend eight hours a day carrying food and water, forcing families to resort to using seawater for daily tasks. READ MORE . . .
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How Hamas lured Israel into a lethal trap, by David Hearst | Middle East Eye One of the main questions about Hamas’ 7 October attacks remains unanswered to this day. What did Hamas think would happen if it struck Israel on this scale? READ MORE . . .