'Apartheid': Arab countries including UAE, Jordan decry new Israeli law A group of foreign ministers struck out at a new Israeli law requiring the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism in military courts. Palestine
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
Analysis Why Turkey’s exclusion from Gaza force may be a strategic blessing By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Israeli centrist leader at war with UNRWA Contrary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid wholeheartedly embraced the threats by the Trump administration to cut UNRWA financing, which has the potential to create a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Will Fatah launch 'intifada of independence'? Palestinians warn that absent a diplomatic route toward Palestinian statehood, Fatah might launch in 2018 an intifada of independence. Palestine
How Ahed Tamimi became an icon to Palestinians With her indictment in Israeli court last month, 16-year-old Palestinian Ahed Tamimi has reached hero status among Palestinians for her confrontations with Israeli soldiers. Palestine
Has Israel’s defense minister changed approach on Hamas? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman estimates that provoking Hamas and generating a military confrontation with the group does not serve Israel’s security interest. Palestine
Israel caught between Trump and Gaza suffering Israel recognizes UNRWA’s role in preventing starvation in Gaza, so it cannot openly endorse the Trump administration's apparent desire to cut aid to the organization. Palestine
Impoverished Gaza's economy on verge of total collapse The economic situation in the long-suffering Gaza Strip has become so dire, some economists are calling on ex-pats to pump money into the small enclave. Palestine
Trump's Jerusalem decision opens Israeli expansionism floodgates The Israeli ruling Likud Party has voted on a decision to annex the settlements in the West Bank to Israel, raising the anger of Palestinians who threatened to take the matter to international courts. Palestine
Netanyahu, Abbas take off diplomatic masks While Likud ministers freely discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank, the Palestinians are preparing to request UN recognition of Palestine as a state under foreign occupation. Palestine
Gaza playground teaches visitors to repurpose household goods The new Hakoura Park in the Gaza Strip shows locals that recycling both benefits the environment and enriches the community with uses such as the children's playground. Palestine
Israeli arrests of Palestinian children rise after Trump’s Jerusalem announcement One month after the United States announced its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the arrest of Palestinian children by Israeli police has risen. Palestine
Palestinians ready for major shift in strategy The US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is seen by many Palestinian leaders as a unique opportunity to seriously work on achieving national unity. Palestine
Qatar returns to Gaza scene Despite the rocky relationship between Hamas and Qatar, Doha is trying to make a comeback on the Palestinian scene in the Gaza Strip as tensions with Egypt continue to grow. Qatar
