For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, and Agence France-Presse, followed by commentary and analysis from Consortium News, from Australia, from Global Research, and from the New York Times and the Washington Post; other articles are accessible by clicking on their sources’ names or initials below. (Today’s Ukraine entry is HERE.)  — MCM

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After blast kills hundreds at Gaza hospital, Hamas and Israel trade blame as rage spreads in region, by Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab, Ravi Nessman and Matthew Lee | AP  KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — A massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing at least 500 people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants. As rage spread . . . READ MORE . . .

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Biden pledges solidarity with Israelis and suggests ‘other team’ to blame for Gaza hospital blast, by Aamer Madhani and Colleen Long | AP  TEL AVIV, Israel — President Joe Biden vowed to show the world that the U.S. stands in solidarity with Israelis during his visit there today, and offered an assessment that the deadly explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital apparently was not carried out by the Israeli military. He didn’t offer details on why he believed the Israelis were not responsible for the blast, and the White House . . . READ MORE . . .

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Biden, in Israel, says hospital blast caused by militants, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Steve Holland | Reuters  GAZA / TEL AVIV — U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Israel today pledging solidarity in its war against Hamas and backing its account that a blast that killed huge numbers of Palestinians at a Gaza hospital had been caused by militants. The fireball that engulfed the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital delivered . . . READ MORE . . .

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Tensions rise over an explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed 500 people. Reported by Michel Martin and Ruth Sherlock | NPR  It was a massive explosion at Baptist Al Ahli hospital — a Christian hospital and one of the oldest in Gaza. Doctors there tell NPR they are still uncovering bodies. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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The devastation after the Gaza hospital explosion that killed hundreds of people. Reported by Daniel Estrin | NPR  Hundreds of people have been killed in a huge explosion at a hospital in Gaza according to Palestinian officials and the World Health Organisation. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Gaza death toll rises to 3,478: Hamas health ministry. From AFP. At least 3,478 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel began bombarding the coastal enclave, the Hamas-controlled health ministry said today. More than 12,000 others have been wounded in Israel’s response to a brutal assault launched by Hamas militants on Israel on Oct. 7.

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What does President Biden hope to accomplish on his trip to Israel? A Martínez of NPR talks with Henri Barkey, a professor and Middle East specialist, about the risks and potential rewards of President Biden’s visit to Israel. NPR’s A Martinez talks to Henri Barkey, a professor and Middle East specialist, about the risks and potential rewards of President Biden’s visit to Israel. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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The impact of the war between Israel and Hamas is reverberating throughout Europe. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR  With at least three people killed by suspected Islamists, France and Belgium are on high alert as fears grow that tensions over the Israel-Hamas war could spill into Europe. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Decency Becomes Indecent, by Patrick Lawrence | Consortium News There have been many, very many singular moments among America’s purported leaders and assorted officials and commentators since Hamas staged its daring assault on southern Israel on the morning of Oct. 7. Let us consider a few of these moments and draw some conclusions. Let us look closely at what is being said and what the American public is now urged . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli intelligence suddenly able to intercept Hamas communications, by Caitlin Johnstone | caitlinjohnstone.com.au Another strange thing about Israel’s claim that its intelligence services didn’t detect preparations for the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 is that it is now releasing what it claims are intercepted conversations of Hamas fighters talking to each other about matters of high importance. Israel has released an audio clip of two voices it claims . . . READ MORE . . .

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Second Nakba: The start of monumental destruction of the Middle East? by Peter Koenig | Global Research  Israeli intel, as well as that of Egypt, the UK, the U.S., Brussels – EU – knew about the impending attack, planned by Israel in coordination with Hamas. A Jewish charity leader says Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to stand down for 7 hours during the Hamas invasion. For Israel, it justifies . . . Click HERE for article linked videos. Click HERE for a definition of Nakba.

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Why a Gaza invasion and ‘once and for all’ thinking are wrong for Israel, by Thomas L. Friedman | The New York Times  What should Israel do to ensure that an attack like the one launched by Hamas never happens again? Whatever the answer is, it’s not mobilizing 360,000 traumatized Israeli reservists to launch into an urban war in one of the most densely populated places in the world. President Joe Biden must sharpen his stance on the crisis. He must realize that . . . READ MORE . . .

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In the Israeli-Palestinian debate, you might be wrong. So be humble, by Shadi Hamid | The Washington Post  The search for truth, even if one finds it, should not involve rigidity. We are all a product of our environments. When it comes to Israel and Palestine in particular, we bring our own preconceptions to any debate — our own selective read of history and our own developed sense of injustice. This is not about a disagreement over facts; it’s about . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Today’s entry for Gaza is HERE.) — MCM

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Ukraine fires US-provided long-range missiles on Russian forces — reports. From Reuters. WASHINGTON — Ukraine fired U.S.-provided long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian forces today, according to media reports citing unidentified sources familiar with the matter. It was the first use of ATACMS, or Army Tactical Missile Systems, the roughly 20-month-long conflict. Sources include CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and Politico.  READ MORE . . .

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Russia is sending more forces to an eastern Ukraine city after its assault slows, analysts say, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Russia is throwing more units into its effort to take a key eastern Ukraine city, Western analysts say, after apparent setbacks that have slowed its dayslong onslaught. The attempt to storm Avdiivka, a heavily defended city that stands in the way of Moscow’s ambition of securing control of the entire Donetsk region, is . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces destroy over 250 military helicopters in Ukraine operation. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces have destroyed over 250 Ukrainian combat helicopters since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a general briefing today. “In all, the . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, and the Berkshire Edge; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, via Popular Resistance, commentary from ScheerPost. (Today’s entry for Ukraine is HERE.) — MCM

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Israel bombs Gaza region where civilians were told to seek refuge, as mediators try to unlock aid, by Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab and Ravi Nessman | AP  KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Israel bombed areas of southern Gaza where it had told Palestinians to flee to ahead of an expected ground invasion, killing dozens of people today in attacks it says are targeted at Hamas militants that rule the besieged territory. With no water, fuel or food being . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli airstrike in central Gaza kills one of Hamas’ top militant commanders, by Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab and Ravi Nessman | AP  KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, says that an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip has killed one of its top militant commanders. Ayman Nofal, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed, was killed today in Israeli strikes that targeted the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, the militant group said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Biden to visit Israel as Gaza humanitarian crisis worsens, by Humeyra Pamuk and Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  TEL AVIV / GAZA — U.S. President Joe Biden will make a high stakes visit to Israel on Wednesday to show support for its war on Hamas, after Washington said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to let humanitarian aid reach besieged Gaza’s. Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that controls Gaza after Hamas gunmen killed 1,300 people, mainly civilians, during a rampage through southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7, the . . . READ MORE . . .

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Around 3,000 Gazans killed in Israeli strikes — Hamas ministry. From AFP. Around 3,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory said today. More than 12,500 others have been wounded since Israel started bombarding Gaza on Oct. 7, in retaliation for Hamas attacks in Israel which killed more than 1,400 people.

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Gaza families ordered south return home, say nowhere is safe from Israeli bombs, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  GAZA — After Israel ordered all civilians in Gaza to go south or face bombardment,  bombing in the south killed scores of people overnight, local authorities said. Reuters spoke with several Gazan families there who have concluded they may as well . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hamas spokesman says the group has no plans to release hostages. Reported by Jaclyn Diaz and Steve Inskeep | NPR  Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad claimed Hamas was providing the nearly 200 people taken hostage with shelter and protection. Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said today they include some military personnel, children and one Holocaust survivor. Hamad said Hamas would not release hostages. He said he was more concerned with Palestinian civilians . . . READ MORE . . .

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In Gaza, power, drinking water and medical supplies are running out. Reported by Aya Batrawy | NPR  Israel vows it’s preparing a land attack after 10 days of air strikes after Hamas militants killed more than 1,300 people in Israel. Power, potable water and medical supplies are running out in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and read.  

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People in Gaza are said to be in need of shelter, food, water and medicine. Reported by A Martínez and Peter Kenyon | NPR  Aid groups in the Gaza Strip are warning that the enclave is near complete collapse. Gaza is under an Israeli siege that is blocking basic humanitarian needs from getting in. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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What Biden and Republicans are saying about Israel. Reported by Mara Liasson | NPR  President Biden has taken a very pro-Israel stance since the Hamas attacks. But starting on Friday, the president has begun to talk more about the situation on the ground in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and read.

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From the ground in Jordan, talking with Palestinians who have family in Gaza. Reported by Ari Shapiro | NPR  For Jordanian Palestinians with family in the Gaza Strip, that distance can feel painfully close and impossibly far. Across Jordan on Friday, thousands of people marched in support of Palestinians. Click HERE to listen and read.

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What’s the endgame of an Israeli ground assault in Gaza? A Martínez of NPR talks with senior historian at the RAND Corporation Gian Gentile about what Israel can achieve with its attacks on Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Berkshire Communists group leads pro-Palestine/Hamas protest in Great Barrington, by Shaw Israel Izikson | The Berkshire Edge  GREAT BARRINGTON, Massachusetts — On Tuesday, Oct. 10, the Berkshire Communists group led a pro-Palestine/Hamas protest in the downtown area. The group protested against Israel in front of Town Hall before marching down Main Street. A video of the group showed members chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” as they marched down Main Street with their signs. Protesters held signs that read, “End all U.S. aid to Israel,” “Free . . . READ MORE . . .

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This way for the genocide, ladies and gentlemen, by Chris Hedges | Scheer Post / Popular Resistance  Gaza is such a small area — 25 miles in length and about 5 miles wide — and so densely populated that the only outcome of an Israeli ground and air assault is the mass death of those . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Kyiv Post, Tass, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Today’s Gaza entry is HERE.) — MCM

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Russia’s assault on a key eastern Ukraine city is weakening, Kyiv claims, as the war marks 600 days, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — A dayslong attempt by Russian forces to storm a strategically important city in eastern Ukraine appears to be running out of steam, Kyiv officials claimed today, as . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine special forces take out Russian drone unit with HIMARS strike. From Kyiv Post Ukraine has released footage of a special forces operation that saw a Russian drone operation being successfully targeted by a HIMARSstrike. “During reconnaissance operations in the southern direction, the Special Operations Forces found a good target – the location of Russian crews of ZALA UAVs,” the SOF Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote in a post on . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian air defenses down two Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters, Su-25 attack plane in past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian air defense forces shot down two Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters and a Su-25 attack aircraft over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today. Additionally, it said Russian forces repelled ten Ukrainian army attacks in the Kupyansk area over the past day. READ MORE . . .

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Russia, China and North Korea have new dynamics. And it’s bad for Ukraine, by Katie Marie Davies | The Kyiv Independent  The White House announced Friday that North Korea had delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition to bolster Russia’s war against Ukraine. “We condemn [North Korea] for providing the Russians with this military equipment,” U.S. National Security Council spokesperson . . . READ MORE . . .

First, a link to a brief video from Consortium News. Then, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, links to three pieces of commentary from a Substack account, Declassified UK, and Indian Punchline. (Today’s Ukraine entry is HERE.) — MCM

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A last message from Gaza? From CN. An unidentified speaker at a rally in Sydney, Australia, quotes extensively from a Gazan relative’s account of being under siege, beginning with “Today may be my last day. My family and I will not make the mistake of . . . Click HERE to watch and listen to video.

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Humanitarian aid is stuck at Gaza-Egypt border as Israeli siege strains hospitals, by Najib Jobain, Samya Kullab and Joseph Kraus | AP  RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinians in besieged Gaza crowded into hospitals and schools today, seeking shelter and running low on food and water. More than a million people have fled their homes ahead of an expected Israeli ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas after its fighters rampaged through southern Israel. As the enclave’s food, water and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli strikes on Gaza intensify as humanitarian crisis deepens, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Dan Williams and Humeyra Pamuk | Reuters  GAZA / JERUSALEM / CAIRO — Israeli forces kept up their bombardment of Gaza today after diplomatic efforts to arrange a ceasefire to allow foreign passport holders to leave and aid to be brought into the besieged Palestinian enclave failed. Residents of Hamas-ruled Gaza said overnight air strikes were the heaviest yet as . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel tells northern Gaza to evacuate, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flee. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Aya Batrawy | NPR  Israel’s retaliation against Hamas for deadly attack on southern Israel has upended life for all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Bombardment by air and sea has killed more than 2,700 Palestinians. Click HERE to listen and  read.

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Gaza’s border with Egypt is closed. Why won’t Egypt let Palestinians in? A Martinez of NPR talks with former Egyptian diplomat Abderahman Salaheldin about Egypt’s role in the war between Israel and Hamas. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Secretary of State Blinken’s diplomatic efforts to contain Middle East conflict. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  Scott Detrow speaks with Michele Kelemen about Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to the Middle East in the midst of war between Israel and Hamas. Click HERE to listen and read.

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NSC spokesperson John Kirby on Israel-Hamas war. Scott Detrow of NPR speaks on Sunday with John Kirby, President Biden’s spokesman on the National Security Council, about the U.S. role in the war between Israel and Gaza. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Hospitals in Gaza are struggling to save people even as the IDF tells them to evacuate. Reported by Ari Daniel | NPR  Doctors in Gaza say conditions in hospitals there are deteriorating due to a lack of power and supplies. Click HERE to listen and read.

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The plan to wipe out Hamas, by Seymour Hersh | Substack  Over the past week Israeli jets have conducted around-the-clock bombing of non-military targets in Gaza City. Apartment buildings, hospitals, and mosques were torn apart, with no prior warning and no effort to minimize civilian casualties. By the end of the week Israeli jets were also dropping leaflets . . . READ MORE . . .

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Lawless in Gaza: Why the West backs Israel no matter what, by Jonathan Cook | Declassified UK / Consortium News  More than a decade ago, Israel started to understand that its occupation of Gaza through siege could be to its advantage. It began transforming the tiny coastal enclave from an albatross around its neck into a valuable portfolio in the trading game of international power politics. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. faces defeat in geopolitical war in Gaza, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  One hundred years after the Arab Revolt (1916-1918) against the ruling Ottoman Turks amidst the impending defeat of Germany and the Triple Alliance in World War I, another armed uprising by the Arabs has erupted — this time around, against Israeli occupation, in the backdrop of the looming defeat of the United States and the NATO in Ukraine War — presenting a thrilling spectacle of history repeating unabridged. The Ottoman Empire disintegrated as a result of . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Today’s Gaza entry is HERE.) — MCM

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6 killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine as Kyiv continues drone counterstrikes. From the Associated Press. KYIV — Six people have been killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine in the past 24 hours, local officials reported today. Two people were killed and three more injured in the Kherson area after more than 100 shells bombarded the region over the weekend, local governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Two guided bombs later . . .READ MORE . . .

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Putin says Russian forces improving positions along front line in Ukraine. From Reuters. MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin said Russian forces have bolstered their positions across the entire front line in Ukraine after what he said was the failure of Ukraine’s counteroffensive this year. Putin’s decision in 2022 to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine started a war which has left . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian brigade command post in Kharkov Region. From Tass. MOSCOW — In the past 24 hours, Russian forces eliminated a Ukrainian brigade command post near the settlement of Podliman, Kharkov Region, and a radio post at an airstrip in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It added that . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links reports from Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass, followed by commentary from the Berkshire Edge and America Uncovered; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Today’s Ukraine entry is HERE.) — MCM

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Israel confirms resuming water supply to southern Gaza: minister. From AFP. Israel is resuming the water supply to southern Gaza, Energy Minister Israel Katz said today, as one million people have evacuated the north of the Strip to escape a massive air assault. “This will push the civilian population to the southern [part of the] Strip,” he said in a statement, a week after Israel had stopped supplying . . . READ MORE . . .

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The U.S. is sending warships to the Mediterranean ahead of Israel’s expected invasion. Reported by Ayesha Rascoe and Peter Kenyon | NPR Israel says it is preparing to invade Gaza with ground forces but the timeline is unclear. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Packed Gaza hospitals warn that thousands could die as supplies run low and ground offensive looms, by Najib Jobain, Joseph Kraus and Samya Kullab | AP  KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Medics in Gaza warned Sunday that thousands could die as hospitals packed with wounded people run desperately low on fuel and basic supplies. Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave struggled to find food, water and safety ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive in the war sparked by Hamas’ deadly attack. Israeli forces, supported by a growing deployment of U.S. warships in the region, positioned . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli military says Gazans can still evacuate south, clashes at Lebanon border, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose | Reuters  GAZA / JERUSALEM — The Israeli military said today it would continue to allow Gazans to evacuate south and hundreds of thousands had already moved, as its troops readied for a ground assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip in retaliation for unprecedented attacks. Israel has vowed to annihilate . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia requests voting for resolution on Middle East on Oct. 16. From Tass. UNITED NATIONS — Russia has requested voting in the UN Security Council on its resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on Oct. 16, First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said today. “We circulated it among the members of the Security Council yesterday and asked for a vote on Monday,” he said. “We expect . . . READ MORE . . .

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The war in Israel and Gaza presents a diplomatic challenge for U.S. foreign policy. Scott Simon of NPR spoke Friday or early Saturday with veteran diplomat Richard Haass about diplomatic challenges for the U.S. amid Israel-Gaza conflict. Click HERE to listen and read.

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For Israelis and the Palestinians, there are no easy answers, by Vickie Shufton | The Berkshire Edge  Since the Six Day War, launched against Israel in 1967 by its Arab neighbors and over the course of several generations, life for Palestinians has become progressively worse. In fenced-off Gaza, with a 70 percent unemployment rate, grinding poverty has . . . READ MORE . . .

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We thought the Israel-Hamas war couldn’t get worse. From Chris Chappell at America Uncovered. The war between Hamas and Israel has drawn out the fault lines of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict all around the world. This episode of America Uncovered looks at the what both Hamas and Israel have done so far, how news media bias manifests in death toll terminology, and the . . . Click HERE to watch and listen.

Here are links to a meditation written months ago for this date and to a song written decades ago. (Today’s other entries are HERE and HERE.) — MCM 

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Psalm 137:1. By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, when we remembered you, O Zion.

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Each time I hear these words I remember, by Kathryn Nishibayashi | Forward Movement  This verse takes me back to the night of Sept. 11, 2001. I was a couple weeks into my freshman year of college and had joined the college women’s Glee Club. We met in the lower level of the college chapel and learned a piece by the American folk singer Don McLean called “Babylon,” which includes the words of this scripture passage in the lyrics. Upstairs in the chapel, a group was organizing a prayer service in response to the terrorist attacks, and . . . Click HERE to read more. Click HERE to listen to the song.

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, and Tass, followed by a link, via Popular Resistance, to a documentary from Mintpress News — much of it in Arabic without subtitles — about a May 2021 Israeli air attack in Gaza and its aftermath; other articles from these sources is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Today’s Ukraine entry is HERE). — MCM

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Palestinians are struggling to flee south in Gaza after Israel gives an evacuation order, by Joseph Kraus and Wafaa Shurafa | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinians struggled today to flee from areas of Gaza targeted by the Israeli military while grappling with a growing water crisis after Israel stopped the flow of resources to the region ahead of an expected land offensive a week after Hamas’ bloody, wide-ranging attack into Israel. Israel renewed calls for Gaza residents to move south, while Hamas urged people to stay in their homes. The U.N. and aid groups . . . READ MORE . . .

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Palestinians flee northern Gaza as Israel masses troops for assault, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and John Davison | Reuters GAZA / JERUSALEM — Thousands of Palestinians fled the north of the Gaza Strip today from the path of an expected Israeli ground assault, while Israel pounded the area with more air strikes and said it kept two roads open to let people escape. Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas militant group that controls Gaza in retaliation for a rampage by fighters who stormed . . . READ MORE . . .

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The Israeli military said it conducted overnight raids in Gaza to take back hostages. Reported by Scott Simon and Peter Kenyon | NPR  The latest developments from Israel, where the Israeli military continued airstrikes on Gaza and staged limited raids overnight. Click HERE to listen and, later, read. 

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Hamas says Israel strikes kill nine more captives. From AFP. Nine people captured by Hamas in an attack on Israel a week ago have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza in the past 24 hours, the Islamist group’s armed wing said today. Qassam Brigades said at least five Israelis and four foreigners had been killed in Israeli “strikes on locations where the prisoners were held.” The deaths bring to 22 the overall number of fatalities among the estimated 150 hostages — Israelis, foreigners and dual-nationals — seized by Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7.

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Israeli army conducts massive strikes against Hamas military targets in Gaza. From Tass. TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has begun to deliver massive strikes against the radical Palestinian movement Hamas’s locations in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said today. Earlier today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the area bordering the Gaza Strip and . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘Highest regard’ for Gaza humanitarian plight needed: Germany. From AFP. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said today that Israel’s war against Hamas must be carried out with the greatest care for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, so that the suffering of the population does not foment further hate. Israel has been bombarding Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip after the Islamists stormed Israel’s southern border a week ago, shooting to death civilians in their homes, on the roads and at a rave party. Some . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘Gaza Fights Back,’ directed by Dan Cohen | Mintpress News / Popular Resistance  Filmed during and after May 2021 Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the documentary tells the story of how Gaza’s armed resistance groups “outwitted the vastly superior Israeli military and established their ability to intervene against Israeli ethnic cleansing of neighborhoods like Sheikh Jarrah and provocations at the al-Aqsa compound in occupied East Jerusalem.” Click HERE to read introduction and view documentary.  

Here are links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Today’s other entries are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Fierce fighting persists in Ukraine’s east as Kyiv reports nonstop assaults by Russia on a key city. From The Associated Press. KYIV — Ukrainian officials reported intense combat, characterized by relentless assaults by Russian forces, as the ongoing attack on an eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka entered its fifth consecutive day today. City head Vitalii Barabash said Moscow was deploying additional forces to encircle the strategically important city . . . READ MORE . . .

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Top Ukraine general says fighting in northeast has ‘significantly worsened’. From Reuters. KYIV — Fighting along the northern portion of Ukraine’s eastern front has “significantly worsened” in recent days, the commander of Kyiv’s ground forces said today. Oleksandr Syrskyi, who was visiting Ukrainian troops in the area, said Russian forces had regrouped after suffering losses and were attacking around the village of Makiivka and towards the city of Kupiansk. “The main . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces defeat Ukrainian units in Donetsk area — Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Russian armed forces have repelled a Ukrainian attack and defeated the enemy’s manpower and equipment near Andreyevka, Kleshcheyevka, Kurdyumovka and Maryinka, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. “The losses of the enemy in this area amounted to 185 servicemen,” it said. The Ukrainian forces also . . . READ MORE . . .