HAMAS vs. Israel (Shutterstock).

A large crowd of protesters thronged Tel Aviv on Sunday, demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make a deal with Hamas that will bring home hostages held by the militant Palestinian group and its allies

The protests were sparked in part by the recovery of a hostage’s body, Elad Katzir, 47. He had been killed while in captivity.

Despite demands by the UN Security Council and many of Isreal’s close allies – including the U.S. – for a cease-fire that could be followed by the release of hostages, there’s been little progress.

One sticking point is that it’s reported that Hamas will release the hostages provided that Israel releases Palestinian fighters taken captive while fighting Israeli forces. The concern is that it sets a precedent in which Hamas or other groups could seize hostages again as a way of freeing their own people.

Ecuador and Mexico at odds

MEXICAN Embassy in Ecuador (Mexican government).

It was an international incident that led to Mexico severing relations with Ecuador. On Friday, Ecuadorian police in the capital city of Quito stormed the Mexican Embassy and arrested Jorge Glas, the ex-president of the South American nation.

Under international law, embassy grounds are considered to be the territory of the resident mission, meaning that – technically – Ecuador invaded Mexico.

The latter responded by severing diplomatic relations with Ecuador. In the past, that has sometimes led to warfare between nations, but that’s unlikely since they are located 3,866 miles apart.

A meeting has been called of the Organization of American States to discuss the incident.

Sports:  Final Two lineup is set

Monday’s NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball championship game will pit top-ranked Purdue against the defending champion UConn.

In the first semifinal game on Sunday, the Boilermakers defeated the Wolfpack 63-50 as Zack Edey scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the winners. Purdue is now 34-4; NC State finished 26-15.

In the second semifinal, UConn bested Alabama 86-72.

In a game in which all five Huskies starters were in double figures, Stephon Castle led the way with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists.

UConn is now 35-3; the Crimson Tide finished 25-11.

Weather: Warmer and sunny

This cool weather in our West Orange County area will be getting warmer. The forecast for Sunday calls for a daytime high of 66 with an overnight low of 48 under partly cloudy skies. But things will heat up on Monday to 71 (50) with skies still cloudy. But sunny skies are expected to arrive on Tuesday and Wednesday with highs of 79 with overnight lows of 54 and 56.