For today, links to six reports: from Reuters, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, the Associated Press, and Substack, and to commentary from ZNetwork via Consortium News; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE. The two most recent 9/11 TRUTH entries, for Dec. 24 and Dec. 26,  are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Israeli forces raid Gaza hospital, health ministry says contact with staff lost. From Reuters. CAIRO / JERUSALEM — Israeli forces raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza today, ordering dozens of patients and hundreds of others to evacuate the compound, officials said. Across Gaza, Israeli strikes killed at least 25 people, medics said. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from Middle East Eye, the Cradle and Mondoweiss. 

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FROM DEC. 26  The U.S. says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern, by Ellen Knickmeyer | AP  WASHINGTON — A lead organization monitoring for food crises around the world withdrew a new report this week warning of imminent famine in north Gaza under what it called Israel’s “near-total blockade,” after the U.S. asked for its retraction, U.S. officials told The Associated Press. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 20  The new ceasefire equation, by Seymour M. Hersh | Substack  If you happen to be a careful reader of daily newspapers, you may have read that tentative preliminary ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have begun again in Doha, the capital of Qatar. A reliable Israeli has told me that these talks contain a new element . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 24  Deception & politics from Washington to Tel Aviv, by M. Reza Behnam | ZNetwork / Consortium News  For more than fourteen painful months Israel has passed off its inhuman actions against the people of Gaza as “defensive.” We are to believe . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to six reports: from National Public Radio, Reuters, the Cradle, and MintPress News; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE. The two most recent 9/11 TRUTH entries, for Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Turkey expected to play a major role in Syria following fall of the Assad regime. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi, Fatma Tanis and Sarah McCammon | NPR  Turkey is expected to play a major role as the new government takes over ruling Syria. Turkey had shown tacit support for groups fighting the Assad dictatorship. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM DEC. 25  ‘Surrender or get buried’: Erdogan to U.S.-backed Kurds in Syria. From the Cradle. “Kurdish militants in Syria must either lay down their weapons or be buried in Syrian territory with their weapons,” Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday. “We will confront all terrorist organizations that . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 26  Syria’s new rulers warn against incitement as tensions brew, by Riham Alkousaa and Timour Azhari | Reuters  DAMASCUS — Syria’s new authorities on Thursday launched a security crackdown in a coastal region where 14 policemen were killed a day before, vowing to pursue “remnants” of the ousted Bashar al-Assad government accused of the attack, state media reported. The violence in Tartous province . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 26  Governor of Damascus tells NPR about the new Syrian government’s plans with Israel. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR  The governor of Damascus — speaking for his direct boss Ahmed al-Sharaa, the newly installed leader of Syria — says the government wants to facilitate cordial relations between Israel and Syria. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM DEC. 26  Manufacturing rebels: How the UK and U.S. empowered HTS, by Kit Klarenberg | The Cradle  Ample evidence indicates the UK and the U.S. maintained deliberate, long-standing ties with the dominant rebels of HTS. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 26  How USAID paved the way for Syria’s militant takeover, by Alexander Rubinstein | MintPress News  The United States, which spent two decades and $5.4 trillion overthrowing governments hostile to al-Qaeda, now finds itself in a paradoxical position. Modern al-Qaeda has carved out its own quasi-state in Syria, yet remains . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to four reports: from the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE. The two most recent 9/11 TRUTH entries, for Dec. 24 and Dec. 26,  are HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

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Ukraine working to extend basic training to 2 months, Syrskyi says, by Tim Zadorozhnyy | The Kyiv Independent  Ukraine’s military leadership plans to extend basic military training to two months to enhance the preparedness and safety of soldiers, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced today. READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian HIMARS attack blasts Russian mobile HQ. From Kyiv Post. Ukrainian operational planners have hit a Russian tactical headquarters with at least two High Mobility Artillery Rocket System precision-guided missiles – one loaded with cluster munitions – and then deployed swarms of first-person view kamikaze drones that hunted down survivors, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence said on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 26  Russia arrests 4 suspects accused of plotting to kill top military officers on Ukraine’s orders. From AP. MOSCOW — Russia’s top security agency said Thursday that it has arrested several suspects accused of involvement in an alleged Ukrainian plot to assassinate senior military officers, an announcement that follows the killing of a top Russian general last week. The Federal Security Service . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

For today, links to eight reports: from Reuters, the Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, UKRAINE and 9/11 TRUTH entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Gaza medics say Israeli strike kills five journalists, Israel says it hit militants, by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ramadan Abed | Reuters  CAIRO / GAZA — Gaza authorities said an Israeli airstrike killed five Palestinian journalists in a vehicle outside a hospital on Thursday but the Israeli army said the victims were Islamic Jihad militants posing as media workers. Medics said the five were among at least 26 . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from AP.

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Health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says 38 killed in 24 hours. From AFP. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Thursday that 38 people had been killed in the Palestinian territory in the past 24 hours, taking the overall war death toll to 45,399. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC 25  A baby froze to death overnight in Gaza as Israel and Hamas trade accusations of ceasefire delays, by Sam Mednick, Tia Goldenberg and Fatma Khaled | AP  JERUSALEM — A baby girl froze to death overnight in Gaza, while Israel and Hamas accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts that could wind down the 14-month war. Doctors said . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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FROM DEC. 25  At least 10 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, medics say. From Reuters. At least 10 people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza early on Thursday, medics with the Gaza health authorities said. In a separate incident, five journalists were killed when . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 25  In Christmas address, Pope urges silencing of weapons from the Holy Land to Ukraine. From AP. Pope Francis on Wednesday urged “all people of all nations” to find the courage “to silence the sounds of arms” and overcome divisions plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia. Click HERE for video report.

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FROM DEC 24  Global monitor says famine is weeks away in north Gaza. A U.S. diplomat calls warning ‘irresponsible,’ by Ellen Knickmeyer | AP  WASHINGTON — Deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in northern Gaza as soon as next month owing to Israel’s “near-total blockade” of food and other aid, the U.S.-created global food-crisis monitor said on Tuesday. The finding . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to three reports: from Reuters, National Public Radio, and the Associated Press; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA, UKRAINE and 9/11 TRUTH entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Syria’s new rulers declare crackdown as tensions flare in coastal area. From Reuters. Syria’s new authorities launched a security crackdown today in the coastal region of Tartous, where 14 policemen were killed on Wednesday, vowing to pursue “remnants” of the ousted Bashar al-Assad government accused of the attack, state media reported. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 25  Christians in Syria celebrate the first Christmas since the end of the Assad regime. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR  Christians in Syria are struggling with how publicly to celebrate Christmas this year. There is a lot unknown about the interim government ruling Syria and their tolerance of religious minorities. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM DEC. 24  Kurdish-led forces push back Turkish-backed Syrian rebels in a tense offensive, by Kareem Chehayeb and Hogir al Abdo | AP  QAMISHLI, Syria — Kurdish-led fighters in Syria, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, said Tuesday they have launched a counter-offensive against the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army to take back areas near Syria’s northern border with Turkey. The Kurdish-led SDF is Washington’s . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to eight reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, National Public Radio, the Moscow Times, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, SYRIA and 9/11 TRUTH entries for this date are HERE and HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

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Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Russia launched a massive missile and drone barrage targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Wednesday, striking a thermal power plant and prompting Ukrainians to take shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning. The strikes included . . .  READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for Dec. 25 reports from Reuters and the Kyiv Independent.

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Ukraine cleans up after Christmas Day attacks by Russia on energy infrastructure. Reported by Brian Mann and Sarah McCammon | NPR  Crews in Ukraine were cleaning up this morning after a massive attack launched by Russia on Christmas, with drones and missiles appearing to target Ukraine’s energy grid. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM DEC. 25  4 killed in Ukrainian attack on Kursk region, governor says. From the Moscow Times. At least four people were killed and five others were injured in a Ukrainian attack on the town of Lgov in Russia’s southwestern Kursk region, local authorities said Wednesday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 24  Woman killed after drone crashes into shopping mall in North Ossetia. From AFP.  A woman was killed in a fire after a drone crashed into a shopping mall in Russia’s republic of North Ossetia early Wednesday, local authorities said. Another drone was downed . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 25  On Christmas Day, Pope Francis calls for talks to end Ukraine war. From Reuters. In his Christmas Day “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and world) address, Pope Francis mentioned the Ukraine conflict directly and called for “the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation”. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for video report from AP.

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FROM DEC. 24  Inside a secret Ukrainian drone command post, where Russian soldiers are seen as prey. Reported by Brian Mann | NPR  NEAR POKROVSK, Ukraine  In the driveway of a rundown house, two soldiers work quickly under the glow of headlamps, loading weapons from a shed into the back of a battered truck. A technician says they’ll take one of the drones into the field. Click HERE to listen and read.

For now, links to Episode 162 of the podcast 9/11 War Room and to an essay in the October issue of the digital International Fire & Safety Journal; other information is accessible by clicking on their names below. NOTE: After clicking on the link in the aforementioned digital journal’s archives for its October issue, No. 40, visitors will find, instead, the December issue, No. 42; at least for now, however, the article in issue 40 about WTC Building 7’’s collapse is available to visitors to this website, just below. (9/11 TRUTH, 12-24-24, entry, is HERE. GAZA, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for today’s date, 12-26-24, are HERE, HERE and HERE.} — MCM

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FROM DEC. 22  9/11 truth reaches top levels: Curt Weldon demands action. From the 9/11 War Room.  Gene Laratonda and Sandra Jelmi host talk with a number of guests in this nearly three-hour Episode 162, beginning with retired Seattle Fire Department captain Raul Angelo (see link below). Former U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., is another guest. Click HERE to watch and listen.

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FROM OCT. 15  Did World Trade Center Building 7 really collapse due to an office fuel load fire? by retired  Capt. Raul A. Angelo of the Seattle Fire Department | International Fire & Safety Journal  WTC 7 was a 47-story steel highrise that stood at 610 ft. (190 m) and was clad in red granite masonry. WTC Tower 1 was the first tower hit by a jetliner at 8:46 a.m. [on Sept. 11, 2001] and collapsed at 10:28 a.m. The collapsing debris of Tower 1 was claimed to have started . . . Click HERE for 8,000-word illustrated essay.

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MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, links to five reports: from Reuters, National Public Radio, Middle East Monitor, and Middle East Eye, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, UKRAINE and 9/11 TRUTH entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Looting cripples food supply in Gaza despite Israeli pledge to tackle gangs, sources say, by David Gauthier-Villars, Nidal al-Mughrabi and John Davison | Reuters  Israel has failed to crack down on armed gangs attacking food convoys in Gaza, despite a pledge to do so in mid-October to help ward off famine in the Palestinian enclave, according to three U.N. and U.S. officials familiar with the matter. The commitment, made . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 23  Two UN agencies talk about the obstacles in providing aid in Gaza. Reported by Aya Batrawy | NPR  Palestinians across Gaza say they’re starving and cold without enough food or shelter. Aid groups say Israel is not letting enough supplies into Gaza. Armed gangs are also stealing aid. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israeli air strike on Gaza fire station kills civil defence worker. From Middle East Monitor. A member of Gaza’s civil defence forces, Najeeeb Sakkar, was killed in an Israeli air strike this afternoon while preparing food for his son Mohamed, Gaza’s civil defence service said. Mohamed and another worker were wounded. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 23  October Israeli strike in Gaza was much deadlier than reported, according to testimony. Reported by Daniel Estrin | NPR  The U.S. says it has not received answers from Israel about an October strike in Gaza. A list of the dead, compiled by survivors and provided to NPR, indicate this strike was deadlier than reported. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Netzarim corridor: Israel’s ‘axis of death’ for Palestinians, by Ruwaida Amer | Middle East Eye  GAZA — The so-called Netzarim Corridor is a 6km stretch of land south of Gaza City that divides the strip into its northern and southern parts. It stretches from the Israeli boundary with Gaza City in the east to the Mediterranean Sea. READ MORE . . .

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The perks for genocide in Gaza, by Ramona Wadi | Middle East Monitor  A report in Ynet News describes the construction of “a small beachfront retreat” which “offers soldiers a rare break from their gruelling missions in the Gaza Strip.” READ MORE . . .

For today, just one link: to a report from Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA, UKRAINE and 9/11 TRUTH entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM DEC. 23  Erdogan says Turkey in close dialogue with Syria’s de facto leader. From Reuters. ISTANBUL — “In the future of Syria and our region,” President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, “there is no place for any terrorist organisation, including Daesh and the PKK.” He added that Turkey’s unwavering line is to protect Syria’s territorial integrity and unity under all circumstances. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to four reports: from the Kyiv Independent, National Public Radio, Tass, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, SYRIA and 9/11 TRUTH entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.)  — MCM

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Russia strikes apartment building in Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve, at least 9 injured, by Natalia Yermak | The Kyiv Independent  Russia attacked a residential building in the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast today, injuring at least nine people, Gov. Serhii Lysak said. Preliminary reports say … . . READ MORE . . .

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Is Ukraine’s strategy to use more drones in the war against Russia working? Reported by Brian Mann and Asma Khalid | NPR  Facing a desperate manpower shortage, Ukraine is relying more and more on unmanned flying attack drones. The weapons are deadly and efficient — but will they be enough? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots over past day — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airfields, ammunition depots and amassed enemy manpower and military hardware in more than 140 areas 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 DEC. 23  Ukraine says it received $1.1 bln from IMF in latest funding. From Reuters. Ukraine’s prime minister Denys Shmyhal said on Monday the country had received $1.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund, which would be used for key budget expenditure. Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said . . . READ MORE . . .