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's strategy strengthens Hamas Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is following a dangerous strategy of advancing an arrangement with Hamas while weakening the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Palestine's Christmas caravan lights up West Bank streets A yearly Christmas caravan that started in Bethlehem has brought some cheer to Palestinian children in several cities. Palestine
Long road still before Israel-Hamas arrangement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs quiet on the Gaza Strip, but fears saying publicly that he’s in favor of an arrangement with Hamas. Palestine
Stateless Jerusalemites call on Jordan to restore their citizenship Palestinians living in Jerusalem are concerned about their future and ways to protect themselves and their properties amid calls to have their Jordanian citizenship restored. Palestine
Birzeit bans ‘military’ events, sparking student protests Birzeit University students are challenging the school's administration over what it says is the "militarization" of their activities on campus. Palestine
Israel mum on permission for Palestinian vote, Hamas edgy As the Palestinian Authority awaits Israel's decision on holding elections in Jerusalem, Hamas is demanding action with or without Israel's permission. Palestine
For many Gazans, it's another Christmas barred from Bethlehem While most of Gaza's Christians submitted requests to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem, only a small number were granted access by Israel. Palestine
Gazans lay out new strategy for return marches Palestinians resumed the marches of return on the Israel-Gaza border after they were halted for weeks. Palestine
Netanyahu panics, slams ICC prosecutor Faced with the International Criminal Court's decision to investigate Israel’s behavior in Palestinian territories, Israel has few tools other than hollow and abusive comments about the prosecutor. Palestine
Congress forces Trump to restore Palestinian aid Congress has a plan to restore some of the Palestinian aid that President Donald Trump eliminated. Palestine
Potential consensus candidate helps Hamas, Fatah communicate The name of Nasser al-Din al-Shaer, former deputy prime minister in the government of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh, has been coming up as a potential consensus candidate in the Palestinian elections, given that he is close to both Hamas and Fatah. Palestine
Arab parties stand to gain from political chaos in Israel The Arab Joint List seeks to boost its number of seats in the Israeli Knesset in the March election by increasing turnout in the Arab community, with the ultimate goal of dealing a fatal blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, preventing him from forming a government. Palestine