'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
Why did Israel now decide to arrest Islamic Movement leader? Police waited three weeks before detaining Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of the outlawed Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, fearing that his arrest during the Al-Aqsa crisis might lead Israeli Arabs to riot. Palestine
Gazans have the hots for chili peppers Peppers — pickled, roasted, stuffed or mashed — make up an essential part of cuisine in Gaza, and for prideful Palestinians in the Strip, the hotter the better. Palestine
Israel pushes security ties while Cairo, Amman embassies sit empty Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to care little about Israel’s diplomatic ties with Egypt and Jordan so long as security ties are maintained. Palestine
Two initiatives revive hopes for Palestinian reconciliation Hamas’ political bureau member and the Patriots to End the Split announced two similar initiatives to end the Palestinian division, which some say are not enough to solve the internal dispute between Hamas and Fatah in the near future. Palestine
Japan comes to the rescue of Gaza's hospitals With funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, solar panels will be installed in Gaza's hospitals to provide electricity to vital care units. Palestine
Tulkarm aims to renovate century-old Ottoman train tunnel The Ottoman Empire’s Hejaz Railway, initially seen as Sultan Abdulhamid's folly, played a key role in World War I and later in Palestine's history. Palestine
Is Barzani backing away from independence referendum? Iraqi Kurdistan's president expects "guarantees and alternatives" from Washington; Hamas diplomatic surge with Iran and Russia. Palestine
Hamas, Iran plot closer path forward amid Qatar crisis The normalization of ties between Iran and the Palestinian Hamas movement appears to be accelerating amid the crisis among Gulf states. Palestine
Jordanian king’s Ramallah visit more than morale booster Jordanian King Abdullah's two-hour visit to Ramallah was meant to send a number of signals to multiple parties. Palestine
Al Jazeera gains from Israel’s attempts to close it Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Al Jazeera's Jerusalem office will be closed, but this is unlikely to affect the network's work or coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli situation. Legacy: Gulf
Hamas convinced Israel will launch an attack Hamas leaders believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for a military operation in the Gaza Strip to distract attention from police investigations against him. Palestine
What Russia has to gain from relations with Hamas Russia's recent steps to further its rapprochement with Hamas are connected to its existing alliance with Iran and the overall situation in the region. Palestine
