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
Israel must set conditions for Hamas over Palestinian elections Israel should agree to the Palestinian demand of enabling elections also in East Jerusalem, but it should not agree for terror group Hamas to participate in the electoral process. Palestine
What’s behind Abbas’ demand for voting stations in Jerusalem? The insistence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Israel enabling East Jerusalem residents to vote in the upcoming Palestinian elections might hide his fear of a Hamas victory. Palestine
Palestinians plan legal steps to stop new Hebron settlement A controversial proposal for a new settlement in the heart of Hebron calls for bulldozing a long-barricaded Palestinian vegetable market to build new shops and housing for Israelis. Palestine
Cairo hosts Islamic Jihad summit as incentive for truce talks Egypt has hosted critical meetings for Hamas and now the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's political bureau both to promote its own role as mediator and as a reward for participating in cease-fire agreements. Palestine
Despite promises and hopes, Gaza's cinemas remain closed The Red Carpet Human Rights Film Festival in Gaza City aims to revive closed film theaters, but there is little progress on the ground. Palestine
PA turns to Russia in a bid to break from US sponsorship As part of its efforts to economically disengage from Israel, the Palestinian Authority seeks to establish bilateral relations with Russia in the energy field. Palestine
Will political crises lead to a Hamas-Israel prisoner swap? A desire by Hamas to improve it's standing among Palestinians and the current political predicament of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might make a prisoner swap more inevitable in the near term. Palestine
Will Israel-Hamas arrangement divorce Gaza from West Bank? According to recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Israel and Hamas are close to reaching a long-term agreement, including over control of Gaza. Palestine
Egypt firms up truce positions between Israel, Gaza factions Cairo brought together leaders of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad political bureaus this month to ensure they're all on the same page regarding the truce with Israel. Palestine
Jordan digs deep to plant trees in Palestine A Jordanian campaign called Plant Your Resilience is planting trees to protect West Bank land from confiscation by Israel. Palestine
Democratic lawmakers reckon with 2020 rhetoric on Israel aid Presidential candidates who want to place conditions on Israeli military aid have prompted pro-Israel House Democrats to go on the offensive. Palestine
Palestinian election fever begins, minus the elections Some Palestinians are gearing up for elections, yet the chance of them taking place in the near future is slim. Palestine
