For today, links to 10 reports: from Agence France-Presse, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, and National Public Radio; and to commentary from the Cradle; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below. (WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE. LEBANON 2-13-25 entry is HERE.) — MCM
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Lebanon official media report 3 Israeli air strikes in country’s east. From AFP. Lebanon official media said Israeli aircraft carried out three strikes today in the Bekaa Valley in the country’s east, two days ahead of a deadline in a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for later AFP report.
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Hezbollah chief says Israel must fully withdraw from Lebanon by Feb. 18. From Middle East Eye. The head of Hezbollah said today Israeli troops must withdraw from Lebanese territory in full by the Feb. 18 deadline, saying it had “no pretext” to maintain a military presence in any post in southern Lebanon. READ MORE . . .
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Israeli troops kill 13-year-old girl, kidnap several in south Lebanon. From the Cradle. A 13-year-old girl was killed and several others injured and kidnapped by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon today, two days ahead of the deadline by which Tel Aviv is required to withdraw its troops from the country. READ MORE . . .
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Israel receives shipment of heavy bombs cleared by Trump. From Reuters. JERUSALEM — Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States, after U.S. President Donald Trump lifted a block imposed on the export of the munitions by the administration of predecessor Joe Biden, the defence ministry said today. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Anadolu Agency.
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FROM FEB. 14 Israel blows up homes in south Lebanon, refuses to withdraw by ceasefire deadline. From the Cradle. Israeli forces occupying southern Lebanon rigged houses in several towns with explosives and demolished them on Friday, amid reports that the occupying army plans to maintain control of five areas inside Lebanese territory. READ MORE . . .
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Clashes break out between Lebanese army, Hezbollah supporters near Beirut airport, by Naim Berjawi and Rania Abu Shamala | Anadolu Agency BEIRUT / ISTANBUL — Clashes broke out on Saturday between supporters of Hezbollah and the Lebanese army near the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, state news agency NNA reported. READ MORE . . .
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FROM FEB. 15 Lebanese authorities arrest 25 after attack on UN peacekeepers. From Middle East Eye. Lebanese authorities arrested more than 25 people on Saturday following an attack on a United Nations convoy that wounded two peacekeepers the day before, the interior minister said in a statement. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Anadolu Agency.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Israel for talks about post-war Gaza. Report by Hadeel Al-Shalchi and Ayesha Rascoe | NPR Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Israel for talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu amid questions over Gaza’s future. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM FEB. 15 For Lebanon’s new government, dangers around every corner. From the Cradle. The newly formed Lebanese government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, convened its first cabinet session this week. It emerges from a turbulent backdrop of political, military, and international shifts . . . READ MORE . . .