For today, links to reports from Anadolu Ajansi, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (WEST BANK 8-3-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and MEDIA entries for today are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  NOTE: Only three entries today.) — MCM 

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Israeli army kills Palestinian in West Bank’s Qabatiya, seizes body, by Qais Omar Darwesh Omar and Rania Abu Shamala | Anadolu Ajansi  RAMALLAH, Palestine / ISTANBUL — The Israeli army today shot and killed a Palestinian man and seized his body and injured another in the town of Qabatiya in the northern West Bank, the Health Ministry said. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 3  Ben-Gvir’s visit to Jerusalem holy site sparks tensions as Israeli fire kills 33 seeking aid, by Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz and Samy Magdy | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — A far-right Israeli minister visited and prayed at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site on Sunday, triggering regional condemnation and fears that the provocative move could further escalate tensions. The visit came as hospitals in Gaza said . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for related AP report, and HERE for report from Reuters.

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For today, a link to a report from National Public Radio; other published material is accessible by clicking on its initials below. (MEDIA 8-3-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and WEST BANK entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.  NOTE: Only three entries today.) — MCM

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FROM AUG. 3  Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks went their own ways — now they’re re-releasing their duo album. Ayesha Rascoe and NPR music critic Ann Powers bat around the question: why do people still care about the failed romance between Nicks and Buckingham? It’s been 50 years! The re-release of their 1973 album “Buckingham Nicks” is approaching. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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For today, links to six reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Monitor, the Cradle, and Middle East Eye, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 8-2-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA, WEST BANK, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Israeli forces kill over 20 aid-seekers in Gaza as Israeli minister prays at flashpoint holy site, by Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz and Samy Magdy | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli forces killed at least 23 Palestinians seeking food on Sunday in Gaza, according to hospital officials and witnesses, who described facing gunfire as hungry crowds surged around aid sites, as the malnutrition related death toll also rose. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for 10 photos from AP.

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Six more die of hunger in Gaza as trucks reach border for rare fuel delivery. From Reuters. Six more people died of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza over the past 24 hours, its health ministry said, underlining the enclave’s humanitarian emergency as Egyptian . . . READ MORE . . .

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‘Unimaginable’ hunger: U.S. doctor. From Middle East Monitor. In an interview with Anadolu, a Dr. Cooper, who has been working in Gaza for just three days, said the situation is beyond imagination, with children as young as five collapsing from starvation. Click HERE for report and video of him speaking.

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Hamas rejects disarmament. From the Cradle. Hamas said on Saturday it will not surrender its weapons, as a response to claims made by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff about the resistance movement’s willingness to disarm. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 1  Hamas links truce talks to aiding Gaza as Israel abandons ‘partial deals,‘ by Mera Aladam | Middle East Eye  Hamas has made resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza a precondition for engaging in further ceasefire negotiations. In a statement on Thursday . . . READ MORE . . .

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Starvation as strategy: Netanyahu’s war crimes and America, by Jasim Al-Azzawi | Middle East Monitor  The U.S. endorsement of Israel’s starvation siege on Gaza is not just a policy misstep—it is a grotesque moral betrayal that will haunt the nation’s soul and forever brand President Trump’s legacy with shame. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to reports from Middle East Eye and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (WEST BANK 7-31-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, SYRIA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Ben Gvir, under heavy guard, leads settler raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque, by Lubna Masarwa | Middle East Eye  Israel‘s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir today led hundreds of settlers in storming Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, where they loudly performed Jewish Talmudic prayer, under a heavy police guard, and attempted to antagonise Muslim worshippers. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE to report from the Cradle.

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For today, links to three reports: from the Cradle and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (SYRIA 8-1-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, WEST BANK, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Syrian army, SDF come to blows in Aleppo. From the Cradle. Clashes broke out in Aleppo late Saturday and into early today between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and armed factions affiliated with the Syrian Defense Ministry. The SDF today rejected claims . . . READ MORE . . .

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Four killed after armed groups attack Syrian security forces in Sweida, by Alex MacDonald | Middle East Eye  At least four people have been killed after armed groups attacked Syrian security forces in the southern province of Sweida. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 2  Syria inaugurates Qatari-funded gas pipeline from Azerbaijan via Turkiye. From the Cradle. Syrian officials inaugurated a new regional gas transmission pipeline, which will deliver millions of cubic meters of gas to Syria from Azerbaijan via Turkiye, Syrian state media SANA reported on Saturday. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to six reports: from Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, the Associated Press, Tass, and Agence France-Presse, and to an interview from National Public Radio; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 8-1-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, WEST BANK, SYRIA, and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and  HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Kherson under artillery, drone, missile attacks last 24 hours, 2 killed, 9 wounded. From Kyiv Post. Over the past day, the settlements of Kherson, Molodizhne, Sadove, and Antonivka in the Kherson region were targeted by Russian forces using artillery, drones, and warplanes, leaving at least two dead and 9 injured, authorities said. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Ukrainian drone attack sets Russian oil depot on fire as Zelenskyy announces prisoner exchange. From AP. An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on an oil depot near Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi sparked a major fire, Russian officials said today, as the two countries traded strikes and the Ukrainian president announced a prisoner exchange. READ MORE . . .

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Kiev forces lost about 1,250 servicemen in special military op zone in one day. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Ukrainian armed forces lost about 1,250 servicemen in the special military operation zone over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 2  Ukrainian drone strikes kill 3 in Russia’s Penza, Samara, Rostov regions. From AFP. Two others were wounded in the overnight attacks in western Russia. READ MORE . . .  

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Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies uncover drone procurement graft scheme, by Elise Morton and Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies said on Saturday they had uncovered a major graft scheme involving inflated military procurement contracts, just two days after Ukraine’s parliament voted to restore the agencies’ independence. READ MORE . . .

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How are drones changing what it means to wage war? Ayesha Rascoe of NPR talks with James Patton Rogers of the Brooks Tech Policy Institute about how drones are changing what it means to wage war and serve on the front lines. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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For today, links to a report, mini reviews, and an interview, all from National Public Radio, and to commentary from Kyiv Post; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (MEDIA 8-2-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, WEST BANK, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM AUG. 2  What’s it like to cover your own network when it is in the headlines? Reported by Scott Detrow and David Folkenflik | NPR  Folkenflik shares what it’s been like covering President Trump’s contentious relationship with the media, including public media and NPR itself. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM AUG. 2  What books to read this summer? NPR staff share their favorite recommendations. Barrie Hardymon, Sarah Handel, Andrew Limbong and Melissa Gray, all of NPR, take less than five minutes to recommend four novels — Animal Instinct, Audition, Darkenbloom and King of Ashes — from NPR’s  “Books We Love” list. Click HERE to listen and read, and HERE for a longer list of summer fiction, first aired on June 25.

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Memoir, biography or novel? Jason Mott leans into the confusion in his latest book, ‘People Like Us.’ Ayesha Rascoe of NPR talks with Jason Mott about his latest novel, “People Like Us,” which started out as a memoir. It turned into two parallel stories about two different writers in crisis. Click HERE later to listen and, still later, read.

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Press freedom in U.S. undermined by Trump administration, by Anders Aslund | Kyiv Post  In the 2025 Press Freedom Index of Reporters without Borders, the U.S. ranks 57! Below all EU countries apart from Trump’s favorite Hungary (#68). This situation has seriously deteriorated under Trump. For how long will the U.S. remain . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to 12 reports: from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Reuters, Anadolu Ajansi, and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 8-1-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  MEDIA entry for this date, so far, is HERE, or scroll down.  NOTE: GAZA and MEDIA entries are the only ones today.) — MCM

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Israeli fire kills at least 18 in Gaza, and U.S. envoy visits hostage family protest, by Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz and Julia Frankel and Samy Magdy | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — More than a dozen people, eight of them food-seekers, were killed by Israeli fire today, health officials in Gaza said, as Palestinians endured severe risks searching for food amid airdrops and restrictions on overland aid delivery. READ MORE . . .

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Here’s what’s happening on the ground in Gaza a week after more aid was allowed. Reported by Aya Batrawy and Scott Simon | NPR  Experts say famine’s unfolding in Gaza, prompting global outrage, calls for Israel to end the war and acknowledgement by Trump of starvation. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.  Click HERE for Aug. 1 report from Reuters.

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UAE, Jordan lead Gaza aid airdrop with France, Germany, Italy, Spain, by Seda Sevencan | Anadolu Ajansi  ISTANBUL — The United Arab Emirates and Jordan led a multinational airdrop Friday of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, joined by aircraft from France, Germany, Italy and Spain, according to the Foreign Ministry of the Gulf nation. READ MORE . . .

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Hamas says it won’t disarm unless independent Palestinian state established, by Hatem Maher, Jaidaa Taha and Ahmed Tolba | Reuters  Hamas said today it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established — a fresh rebuke to a key Israeli demand to end the war in Gaza. Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel ended last week in deadlock. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from Middle East Eye and Anadolu Ajansi.

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Gaza hospitals set to receive vital medical supplies via WHO convoy, by Ikram Kouachi | Anadolu Ajansi  ANKARA — The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said today a convoy of trucks carrying critical medicines and medical consumables is scheduled to enter the Gaza Strip with coordination from the World Health Organization. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 1  A pediatrician working in Gaza on how she finds the will to keep going. Reported by Michelle Aslam, Mallory Yu and Tinbete Ermyas | NPR   Dr. Seema Jilani is a pediatrician who has been providing medical care to children in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM AUG. 1  Gaza mother worries time running out for evacuation of malnourished daughter. From Reuters. Jana Ayad, 8, weighs just 11 kilograms (24 pounds) and has trouble seeing, speaking or standing up. Her sister, Joury, died on July 20. The child had kidney problems exacerbated by malnutrition, her mother said. READ MORE . . .

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FROM AUG. 1  If France, the U.K. and Canada recognize a Palestinian state, what happens? Reported by Michelle Aslam and Juana Summers | NPR  Summers speaks with Michael Lynk, former U.N. Special Rapporteur for human rights in Palestinian territories, about recent international moves to recognize a Palestinian state. Click HERE to listen and read, and HERE for background report from Reuters.

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MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, a link to a report from National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (MEDIA 8-1-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA entry for this date is HERE, or scroll up. NOTE: GAZA and MEDIA entries are the only ones today.)

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FROM AUG. 1  In wake of defunding, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting says it’s shutting down. Reported by Frank Langfitt and Juana Summers | NPR  The Corporation for Public Broadcasting said on Friday it will start winding down its operations after it lost federal funding. Click HERE to listen and read.

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MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, links to nine reports: from Agence France-Presse, Anadolu Ajansi, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, and the Cradle, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 7-31-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA, IRAN, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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France carries out first aid airdrop in Gaza. From AFP. President Emmanuel Macron said today France had carried out its first airdrop of humanitarian supplies into Gaza, after UN-backed experts warned the Israeli-blockaded Palestinian territory was slipping into famine. READ MORE . . .

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Aid convoys in Gaza face delays despite ‘secure’ routes: UN, by Diyar Guldogan | Anadolu Ajansi  WASHINGTON — Aid convoys continue to face hurdles in delivering assistance to people in need in the Gaza Strip despite Israeli assurances declaring designated routes “secure,” the UN said today. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. envoy visits distribution site in Gaza as humanitarian crisis worsens, by Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz and Julia Frankel | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee today toured one of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s distribution sites in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. READ MORE . . . Click HERE to listen to earlier report from NPR, and HERE for July 31 report from Middle East Eye.

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‘Ludicrous spectacle’: Israeli army stages ‘propaganda display’ during US envoy’s visit to GHF site. From the Cradle. A Gaza journalist and others revealed today that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation site in Rafah was a “farcical spectacle” aimed . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JULY 31  Humanitarian groups say aid finally getting into Gaza is a fraction of what’s needed. Reported by Emily Feng | NPR  Facing global condemnation, Israel has allowed more aid to enter Gaza. But the aid is a fraction of what is needed and collecting it is still deadly for Palestinians. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for report from AP.

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FROM JULY 31  Israeli soldier reveals ‘strange order’ to cancel Gaza border patrols on Oct. 7, 2023: media. From the Cradle. An Israeli soldier has stated that he and his fellow soldiers stationed at a military outpost near Gaza received orders not to carry out their usual early morning patrol on the border fence on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli media reported on July 17. Click HERE for report including video of testimony. 

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FROM JULY 31  U.S. lawmakers demand probe into Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s ‘aid traps.’ From the Cradle. A group of 92 Democratic U.S. House members has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to launch a formal investigation into the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, citing serious concerns about its funding, operational conduct, and role in civilian massacres at aid distribution sites in Gaza. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JULY 30  How Washington serves Tel Aviv: A reassessment of a risky intervention, by Timothy Hopper | Middle East Monitor  Since June 2025, the Middle East has appeared more unstable than ever. READ MORE . . .

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