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
Is high-profile Meshaal setting stage to lead Hamas again? The growing political activity of former Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal has prompted some to believe he is either planning to return to Hamas leadership or enter the expected presidential election in the Palestinian territories. Palestine
Is Israel dangling economic carrot to lead Hamas to a truce? Israel has allowed Gaza to import and export previously banned goods for the first time in 13 years, and some have interpreted the move as part of an effort to entice Hamas into a truce. Palestine
As US-Iran conflict heats up, Hamas finesses Tehran’s expectations The escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States is threatening to force Hamas to take action in support of Tehran, endangering the chances for an arrangement with Israel. Palestine
Malaysia appoints consuls in West Bank, Gaza The Malaysian Foreign Minister announced the appointment of two consuls for his country in Ramallah and Gaza, in a move that Palestinian Authority could interpret as a Malaysian recognition of Gaza as a separate entity Palestine
Palestinians wary of ICC call for probe into Israeli war crimes Palestinians received with skepticism the announcement by the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor that an investigation should be launched to document war crimes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, while some believe it could herald change if it is followed by concrete actions. Palestine
Multibillion-dollar lawsuit in Israel against Arab Bank Israeli casualties of terrorism sue the Jordan-based Arab Bank over its alleged assistance to terror groups. Palestine
Netanyahu boasts about Israel’s situation, ignores security negligence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasts about Israel’s excellent economic and security situation, but the truth is that its urban spaces are exposed to attacks from the outside. Palestine
Hebron tribes oppose UN pact, 'suspicious' feminists Tribes in Hebron rejected the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and some threatened to shut down feminist organizations after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas set the minimum age for marriage at 18. Palestine
Hamas bets on Palestinians abroad to influence PNC elections Hamas has recently stepped up its visits to Palestinian camps abroad, raising questions about the purpose of these visits in light of preparations for Palestinian general elections. Palestine
How Ramallah is resolving electricity crisis The Ramallah-based government pledged to pay the Jerusalem District Electricity Company the monthly electricity bills on behalf of the refugees in 13 camps, in addition to their accumulated debt, in a step that would end the company's debt and increase hours of supply. Palestine
Here are Hamas’ five strategic goals for 2020 Sami Khater, a member of the Hamas political bureau, revealed Dec. 24 his movement’s five strategic goals for 2020. Palestine
Instead of slandering it, Israel should join ICC Israel has a fairly easy option for dealing with the decision by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to probe suspicions of alleged Israeli war crimes: ratifying the court’s founding treaty and joining it as full-pledged member. Palestine
