For today, links to four reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Middle East Monitor, and to commentary from Common Dreams via Consortium News; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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NEWER  Key mediator Egypt expresses skepticism of Gaza cease-fire proposal as more details emerge, by Samy Magdy | AP  CAIRO — Key mediator Egypt expressed skepticism today as more details emerged of the proposal meant to bridge gaps in cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas, a day before negotiations were expected to resume in Cairo. The challenges . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza after Blinken ends visit with truce deal still elusive, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie | Reuters  CAIRO / JERUSALEM — Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 50 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, Palestinian health authorities said today, as the military said troops continued to target militants and seize weapons and ammunition. As last-ditch diplomatic . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from AP.

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Hamas slams U.S. statements as ‘coup’ against 2 July agreement. From Middle East Monitor. The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, on Tuesday condemned claims by U.S. President Joe Biden that it is backing away from a Gaza truce deal, hours after his Secretary of State, Antony Blinken called on the movement to accept the new proposal. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 20  Biden’s cruel & Orwellian remarks on Gaza at the DNC, by Norman Solomon | Common Dreams / Consortium News  President Joe Biden’s speech about Gaza at the Democratic convention Monday night was a journey into an alternative universe of political guile. Six days earlier he had approved sending $20 billion worth of more weapons to Israel. READ MORE . . .