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
Egypt turns the page on Mubarak era Hosni Mubarak, forced from office during Arab Spring, forged lasting US partnership; his departure signaled new chapter for Egypt, region. Palestine
Egypt breaks ice with Hamas Egypt invited Hamas to Cairo after months of rupture between the parties, indicating Egypt’s efforts to maintain its role in the Palestinian cause. Qatar
Israel offers new incentives to Gazans As part of the truce agreements Israel reached with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, 2,000 merchants from the Strip will obtain permits to work in Israel, which will have a positive impact on the Gazan economy. Palestine
How Netanyahu is burying the two-state solution If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ever had the common sense to leave room for a future agreement with the Palestinians, he buried it recently with his decision to build new housing units in Jewish east and south Jerusalem neighborhoods. Palestine
Why Hamas opted out of Israel-Gaza escalation — again Hamas stayed out of the recent confrontation between Israel and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza, raising many questions. Palestine
PA plans to bypass Israel by issuing construction permits, rebuilding demolished homes Palestinian Minister of Local Government Majdi al-Saleh has recently announced he will be issuing permits that allow Palestinians to build houses in Area C of the West Bank, ignoring the need for Israeli approvals. Palestine
Another push to make Qalandia Airport a Jewish settlement The Netanyahu caretaker government has announced its intentions to build 11,000 housing units at the site of the former Qalandia Airport in East Jerusalem. Palestine
Young Israeli voters hypnotized by Netanyahu’s narrative From an early age in school, future Israeli voters are inculcated with the narrative pushed by Benjamin Netanyahu, resulting in a conservative young generation with intolerant tendencies. Palestine
Why is Egypt building a wall along its border with Gaza? Although it coincides with Washington’s Mideast peace plan, observers and experts say they believe that safeguarding and boosting national security are the real reasons behind Egypt's decision to build a new wall along its border with the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Gaza rebrands border protests to resist US peace plan Palestinians are preparing to resume the march of return along the Gaza border with Israel under a new name and expanded to include resistance to the US peace plan. Palestine
Hamas-Russia meeting in Doha riles PA The Palestinian Authority has accused Hamas of going over its head in meeting with Russian officials about the US peace plan. Palestine
Netanyahu’s defense minister gets him into trouble Another haphazard decision by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett reshuffled the deck for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and led to an escalation of tensions in the south. Palestine
