Settler violence spike exposes Israeli government rift with military Knesset member Ram Ben-Barak of centrist Yesh Atid told Al-Monitor that the government must permit the use of administrative detention for extremist settlers to curb the violence. Israel
Wartime closures at Jerusalem holy sites raise fears of lasting shift among Palestinians Palestinians say sweeping restrictions during Ramadan and ahead of Eid reflect security concerns, but there is concern they could ultimately reshape access to worship in the Old City. Palestine
Analysis Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority Hamas has so far stayed out of the escalating Iran war, despite its longstanding alliance with Tehran, reflecting a cautious strategic calculation. By Abeer Ayyoub In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine
Spain recalls Israel ambassador, calls Iran war 'flagrant illegality': What to know Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the US-Israel war in Iran a "flagrant illegality.” Israel
Analysis Why Turkey’s exclusion from Gaza force may be a strategic blessing By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Netanyahu notches up international blitz on West Bank annexation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was confident that President Donald Trump will let the Israeli government annex parts of the West Bank, as stated in the American peace plan. Palestine
Palestinian woman leads fight against coronavirus, while others fall victim to domestic violence Women are taking the lead in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak in the Palestinian territories, while at the same the virus has brought more violence and suffering to some women. Palestine
Women, children face increased risk of abuse during Mideast lockdowns No COVID-19 furlough for imprisoned Iranian women’s rights activists; Interreligious, LGBT couples struggle to connect; Yemen’s cease-fire gets a second chance. Saudi Arabia
Concerns over coronavirus in prisons push Israel-Hamas deal forward With Hamas concerned about a coronavirus outbreak in Gaza and Israel concerned about overcrowding in its prisons, the pandemic offers a unique opportunity to reach a prisoner exchange deal. Palestine
Israel weighs strategic implications of coronavirus crisis Israeli intelligence is unsure whether the pandemic will ease tensions with neighboring countries or do just the opposite. Palestine
Gaza farmers destroyed flowers amid lockdown The state of emergency imposed on the Gaza Strip due to the coronavirus pandemic has not spared the flower cultivation sector. Palestine
NGO: Most refugees in Lebanon lack soap after refugee tests positive for coronavirus The International Rescue Committee's survey was released after a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon tested positive for the virus. Palestine
Israel rebuffs EU over criticizing West Bank annexation goal Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz took issue with EU foreign representative Josep Borrell warning against possible annexationist policies of a new Israeli government despite his not obtaining the backing of all European Union states. Palestine
Gaza: Love in the time of COVID-19 The requirement that Gaza residents go into quarantine upon returning to the territory has resulted in a number of people meeting their match. Palestine
Intel: Trump administration claims Palestinian aid not reaching people who need it Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, explaining the Donald Trump administration’s decision to provide $5 million in COVID-19 assistance to the Palestinians in place of $75 million appropriated overall, said US economic and humanitarian aid for the West Bank and Gaza is being cut in general because it was not reaching the people. Palestine
First confirmed coronavirus case in Lebanon Palestinian refugee camp A Palestinian refugee woman tested positive for the coronavirus in Lebanon amid fears that the conditions in such camps could lead to an outbreak. Palestine
Coronavirus brings more suffering to Gaza’s women With the suspension of the Sharia courts’ work due to the confinement in the Gaza Strip, many Palestinian women have been struggling to get their rights to custody and alimony, while many have been separated from their children. Palestine
