'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
Qatar's charity funding in Gaza dries up as Gulf crisis continues Palestinians in the Gaza Strip worry about how the Gulf decision to cut ties with Qatar will affect the critical Qatar-funded relief and development projects in Gaza. Legacy: Gulf
Hamas hedging its bets in region Hamas appears to have adopted a new regional policy of avoiding taking sides and nurturing good relations with anyone willing to accept the group. Qatar
Israel sees Abbas' silence on police attack as sign of surrender For Israel, the silence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas following the attack on an Israeli border police officer is part of an attempt to appease hard-liners within Fatah. Palestine
Qatari crisis risks sparking new Israeli-Hamas confrontation The Qatar crisis might lead to a showdown between Israel and Hamas, with key Arab states dismissing the Islamist movement as a terrorist organization, leaving it vulnerable to Israeli attack and pressuring Qatar to drop support for it. Legacy: Gulf
Private solar power systems catch on in Gaza The National Economy Ministry in Gaza has lifted taxes and fees on alternative energy equipment to encourage residents to buy it to get through the ongoing electricity crisis. Palestine
Settlers pressure Netanyahu to reject Palestinian building plan Settler leaders rebuke Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman's already approved plan for 14,000 housing units to be built at the West Bank Palestinian Qalqilya refugee camp. Palestine
Gaza's ticking sewage bomb Israeli expert and professor Eilon Adar warns that the electricity crisis in Gaza could provoke an ecological disaster both in the Strip and in Israel. Palestine
Netanyahu critic wins prestigious literary award Winner of the 2017 Man Booker International Prize, Israeli writer David Grossman has battled the occupation for decades. Palestine
Palestinians optimistic as Jordan border crossing set to open 24/7 Israel has agreed to open the Allenby (King Hussein) border crossing into Jordan around the clock following bilateral negotiations with the Palestinians. Palestine
Abbas eyes Merkel as Plan B if Trump fails on Mideast peace Should President Donald Trump fail to deliver his ultimate regional deal, the Palestinians could opt for German Chancellor Angela Merkel to take the lead on relaunching peace talks with Israel. Palestine
Meet Palestine’s youngest female mayor In face of harsh criticism, Yusra Mohammed Badwan recently became Palestine’s youngest female mayor, in the town of Azzun in the northern West Bank. Palestine
Palestinian courts take a break from divorce during Ramadan The head of Palestine's Islamic courts has banned judges from registering divorces during Ramadan, citing hasty decisions made by fasting Muslims. Palestine
