There is no UKRAINE entry for this date.

For today, links to two reports from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (SYRIA 5-9-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and 9/11 TRUTH entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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FROM MAY 11  Sectarian massacres continue in Syria as government-affiliated groups kill several in Latakia. From the Cradle.  Extremist armed groups affiliated with the Syrian government on Saturday carried out a new massacre in Syria’s Alawite majority coastal region. In this massacre at least nine civilians, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed in the village of Ain al-Sharqiyah near Jableh, in Latakia province. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 12  Syria’s de facto president to skip Arab League summit in Iraq: report. From the Cradle. Syria’s self-appointed interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa will not attend the upcoming Arab League summit in the Iraqi capital, according to an Arab diplomatic source who spoke with AFP on Monday. In his stead . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, a link to a report from Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (WEST BANK 5-10-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israel to take full control of land registry in West Bank’s Area C, cementing annexation, by Lubna Masarwa and Rayhan Uddin | Middle East Eye  JERUSALEM / LONDON — Israel’s cabinet has for the first time voted to take sole responsibility for land registration in Area C of the occupied West Bank, a decision that has been described as effective Israeli annexation of the majority of Palestinian land. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to nine reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, and the Cradle; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 5-10-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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NEWER  Hamas says it released American-Israeli hostage in goodwill gesture toward Trump administration, by Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy and Tia Goldenberg | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An American-Israeli soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip was released today, Hamas said, in a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 11  Ten weeks into Israel’s aid blockade in Gaza, desperate families grind lentils for flour. Reported by Carrie Kahn, Anas Baba and Daniel Estrin | NPR  Families in Gaza have begun grinding up lentils and beans to add to the meager flour they have to make bread. Click HERE to listen and read.

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The U.S. has a plan for getting food into Gaza. Top aid groups object to the idea. Reported by Daniel Estrin | NPR  Daniel Estrin | NPR  TEL AVIV — The U.S. and Israel have announced a plan to allow food and essential supplies back into Gaza after a ten-week Israeli ban that aid workers say is driving rampant hunger in the territory. It is the result . . . Click HERE to read more and listen.

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Hamas set to free U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, but Israel says no ceasefire, by James Mackenzie | Reuters  JERUSALEM — Hamas will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza on Monday, the Palestinian militant group said, but Israel’s prime minister said there would be no ceasefire and plans for an intensified military campaign would continue. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from NPR, AP and the Cradle. 

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FROM MAY 11  Pope Leo XIV appeals for ‘no more war’ in first Sunday message, by Joshua McElwee, Philip Pullella and Keith Weir | Reuters  VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV appealed to the world’s major powers for “no more war” in his first Sunday message to crowds in St. Peter’s Square since his election as pontiff — calling for an “authentic and lasting peace” in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of all Israeli hostages held by militant group Hamas. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from AP.

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For today, links to seven reports: from the Associated Press, Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, the Moscow Times, and Reuters; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 5-10-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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Russian drones attack Ukraine after the Kremlin turns down a ceasefire proposal but promises talks, by Illia Novikov and Dmytro Zhyhinas | AP  KYIV — Russia launched more than 100 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine in nighttime attacks, the Ukrainian air force said today, after the Kremlin effectively rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the more than three-year war, but reiterated that it would take part in possible peace . . . READ MORE . . .

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Moscow pushes back on ceasefire calls. From Kyiv Post. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented today on the West’s demand for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, saying that the language of ultimatums is unacceptable to Russia. Adopting such a tone, he said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine gears up for possible Zelensky, Putin talks, by Chris York and Oleksiy Sorokin | The Kyiv Independent  Ukraine is “ready for all options” as it prepares for a possible meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin of Russia in Istanbul this week, a source close to the President’s Office said today. READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin reiterates Putin’s call for Istanbul talks, but remains silent on possible Zelensky meeting. From the Moscow Times. The Kremlin today repeated President Vladimir Putin’s call for direct Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul later this week, but did not say whether the Russian leader would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in person. READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops liberate Kotlyarovka community in Donetsk region over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated the community of Kotlyarovka in the Donetsk region over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 11  Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza in symbolically rich blessing on Mother’s Day, by Nicole Winfield and Giovanna Dell’Orto | AP  VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV called for a genuine and just peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff. “I, too, address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call ‘never again war,’” he said from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. READ MORE . . .

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There will be no entries today. — MCM

For today, links to a report from the Craadle and to commentary from Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (YEMEN 5-8-25 is HERE, or scroll down,  GAZA, LEBANON, WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for today are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.)  — MCM

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FROM MAY 9  New Yemeni attack targets Israel as airlines extend flight suspensions. From the Cradle. The Yemeni Armed Forces launched a new ballistic missile attack against Israel on Friday, setting off alarms across large areas of the country and shutting down operations at Ben Gurion International Airport. READ MORE . . .

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What did Houthis achieve in 18 months of attacks on the Red Sea? From Middle East Eye.  LONDON / SANAA — Over the course of 18 months, the Houthis, who rule large swathes of northwestern Yemen, including the capital, carried out attacks on over 250 military and commercial ships. Fearing bombardment, vessels travelling from Europe to Asia . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to three reports: from Anadolu Agency, Reuters, and Middle East Eye; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below.  (GAZA 5-9-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  YEMEN, LEBANON, WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for today are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.)  — MCM

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FROM MAY 9  ‘Hunger never seen before’ grips Gaza, UNRWA warns, by Beyza Binnur Dönmez | Anadolu Agency  GENEVA — “Hunger in Gaza is spreading and deepening, deliberate and manmade,” the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Thursday, urging all parties to lift the aid blockade, allow unrestricted flow of humanitarian supplies, and resume the ceasefire. It also reiterated demands for the release of hostages. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 9  New Gaza aid plans would increase children’s suffering, UNICEF says. From Reuters. GENEVA — The United Nations Children’s Fund on Friday criticized emerging plans to take over distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza on Thursday floated by both Israel and the United States, saying that they would increase suffering for children and families. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for May 10 report from Middle East Eye.

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For today, a link to a report from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below.  (LEBANON 5-8-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for today are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.)  — MCM

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FROM MAY 8  Dozens of Israeli raids hit Nabatieh region in south Lebanon in major escalation. From the Cradle. Israeli warplanes carried out a wide-scale air attack on the Nabatieh region in southern Lebanon on Thursday morning, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. It came in two waves, targeting valleys, heights, and forests extending between the towns of Kfar Tibnit, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, and Kfar Reman. READ MORE . . .

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For today, a link a report from Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on its name below.  (WEST BANK 5-9-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, LEBANON and UKRAINE entries for today are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.)  — MCM

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FROM MAY 9  1,000 Palestinians killed, 7,000 injured in West Bank since October 2023: report. From Middle East Monitor. Some 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli occupation forces in the occupied West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Information Centre. In a report released on Friday . . .  READ MORE . . .

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For now, links to 13 reports: from Anadolu Agency, the Associated Press, Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below.  (UKRAINE 5-8-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  YEMEN, GAZA, LEBANON and WEST BANK entries for today are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.)  — MCM

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NEWER  Ukraine declares readiness to announce 30-day ceasefire with Russia starting Monday, by Elena Teslova | Anadolu Agency  MOSCOW — Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said today his country is ready to declare a 30-day ceasefire with Russia starting Monday — that the step was coordinated at today’s meeting of the leaders of Germany, France, Poland, the UK, and Ukraine in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine and its allies push for a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — In a show of unity in Kyiv on Saturday, leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland threatened to ratchet up pressure if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.  READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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After ceasefire demand, Kremlin calls European statements ‘confrontational.’ From Reuters. MOSCOW — “We hear many contradictory statements from Europe,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today. “They are generally confrontational in nature rather than aimed at trying to revive our relations. Nothing more.” READ MORE . . .

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Russia and Ukraine blame each other as fighting continues despite Moscow’s truce. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russia said today fighting had been taking place in four regions of Ukraine despite this week’s unilateral ceasefire by Moscow, saying its troops had been forced to respond to Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine says Russia has continued . . . READ MORE . . .

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Long-range Russian attacks continue to kill Ukrainians amid ceasefire deadlock, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Russia has continued its military campaign two months after a U.S-proposed 30-day ceasefire tentatively accepted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, maintaining attacks along the roughly 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) front line and targeting civilian infrastructure. Click HERE for report including map.

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Russia continues to attack Ukraine while Victory Day celebrations underway in Moscow. From the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces continue to attack Ukraine with guided aerial bombs despite a three-day ceasefire on Victory Day, Ukraine’s Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainska Pravda on Friday. While the Kremlin unilaterally announced a truce from May 8–11 . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 9  Trump to Putin and Zelensky: ‘Get this war ended. From Reuters. WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to “get this war ended” in Ukraine as he pushes for a 30-day ceasefire. Asked what his message to Putin is in the wake of a warning from the U.S. embassy in Kyiv about . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 9  What is the special tribunal for Ukraine that world leaders have backed? by Molly Quell and Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Some 40 world leaders announced their support Friday for the creation of a new international court to prosecute those most responsible for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The special tribunal would aims to . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from AFP.

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FROM MAY 9  Germany backs Trump’s call for 30-day ‘unconditional’ Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. From Anadolu Agency. BERLIN — Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday voiced support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a 30-day “unconditional” ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking in Brussels, Merz said . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 9  Kremlin says necessary to clarify what Merz means when speaking about ceasefire in Ukraine. From Tass. MOSCOW — The words by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on possible start of a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine this weekend should be clarified, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 8  Ukraine accuses Russia of violating its own truce over 700 times as Kyiv ratifies U.S. minerals deal, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Russia and Ukraine both reported attacks on their forces Thursday on the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian lawmakers unanimously approved a landmark minerals deal with the U.S. READ MORE . . .

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