Explainer What does Hamas' move to dissolve its Gaza government mean? Hamas has agreed to hand civilian administration over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, but the committee is not yet in Gaza and may not deploy until Hamas’ disarmament is resolved. Palestine
Interview Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu In an interview with Al-Monitor, head of the Arab-Israeli Hadash-Ta'al Knesset faction, Ayman Odeh, said his party is prepared to make difficult decisions to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Ayman Odeh Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction
Who is Melat Kiros, the pro-Palestinian who unseated a longtime Democrat? Kiros has taken a hard stance against Israel and opposes all aid to the country as pro-Palestinian candidates make further inroads in the party. United States
Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank In a new report, Amnesty International said that the escalating forced displacement and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank is part of a state-led campaign to control the Palestinian territory. Palestine
How Hamas prisoners elect leaders behind bars Even locked in Israeli prisons, Hamas members contribute to the movement's decision-making process by holding leadership elections every two years. Palestine
Israel, Hamas swap blame for failed prisoner exchange talks Both Hamas and Israel want to reach a prisoner exchange deal, but talks appear to be at an impasse over a group of Palestinian prisoners released in a previous exchange but later rearrested. Palestine
Palestinian singles find love through matchmaking service Although a marriage matchmaking service is a novel idea for the traditional Palestinian society, a new center in Ramallah that matches couples has no problem finding clients. Palestine
What is Merkel's Mideast role in Trump-Putin era? Against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s nationalistic policies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is being viewed by many as the new leader of the free world and a future key player in the Middle East. Palestine
What's behind coordinated attacks by Hamas inmates in Israeli jails? Faced with a huge crisis, Hamas is trying to divert local pressure in the Gaza Strip away from its leadership by increasing unrest among Hamas prisoners in Israel. Palestine
Is Netanyahu counting on Israel's High Court to save him? Turkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, continuing to avoid his and his party's responsibility for the Regularization law, is hoping the High Court will strike it down. Palestine
How Circassians maintain identity in changing Golan Many Circassians who lost their homes in Quneitra, Syria, opened their doors to Al-Monitor at nearby Madinat al-Baath, where they recounted their stories. Palestine
Is the Palestinian economy trending up? After two years of sharp decline, the index for industrial production in Palestine rose slightly in 2016. Palestine
Who profits from Gaza unrest? Israel is concerned that Hamas is planning a major strategic attack on the Israeli homefront, which would force the IDF to invade Gaza. Palestine
Hamas insists ties with Iran strong, despite regional polarization Iran continues to provide financial and military support for Hamas amid a positive atmosphere that promises stronger ties and efforts to defuse the sectarian tension while bilateral meetings between the two are still being held outside Tehran, according to the movement’s representative in Iran. Palestine
Hamas decries Abbas overreach in setting local elections for spring Hamas is digging its heels in over an amendment to the elections law that creates a new judicial body for electoral matters by refusing to participate in local Palestinian elections this spring. Palestine
Does Trump signal golden age for Israeli settlements? Some are convinced that Israel's right-wing government and the new US administration under Donald Trump offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to legalize all West Bank settlements. Palestine
