Explainer What does Hamas' move to dissolve its Gaza government mean? Hamas has agreed to hand civilian administration over to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, but the committee is not yet in Gaza and may not deploy until Hamas’ disarmament is resolved. Palestine
Interview Ayman Odeh says Arab parties could back Bennett or Eisenkot to block Netanyahu In an interview with Al-Monitor, head of the Arab-Israeli Hadash-Ta'al Knesset faction, Ayman Odeh, said his party is prepared to make difficult decisions to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Ayman Odeh Head of the Knesset's Hadash-Ta'al faction
Who is Melat Kiros, the pro-Palestinian who unseated a longtime Democrat? Kiros has taken a hard stance against Israel and opposes all aid to the country as pro-Palestinian candidates make further inroads in the party. United States
Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank In a new report, Amnesty International said that the escalating forced displacement and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank is part of a state-led campaign to control the Palestinian territory. Palestine
Abbas’ presence at Paris rally boosts Palestinian legitimacy The appearance of President Mahmoud Abbas alongside world leaders at the France unity rally will help his campaign for Palestinian independence. Palestine
Dempsey says Iran’s role in Iraq might be 'positive' Americans consider Islamic State, not Iran, as top threat to US in Mideast; terrorists in Syria planning “mass casualty attacks” in West; Salafists in Gaza look to Islamic State. Palestine
Could Russia broker Middle East peace? Though Russia has been often proposed as a mediator for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, there is no indication that Moscow would be able to assure Israel’s security or financial support for the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Lapid: Abbas can't compromise without Arab support In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Finance Minister Yair Lapid argues that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas needs Arab support to compromise on the Palestinian right of return and on Jerusalem. Palestine
Arab world insists on support of West for Palestinian statehood Egyptian and Palestinian officials stress that it will be easier for Arab countries to cooperate with the United States and Europe on fighting the Islamic State if their people see that the West promotes Palestinian statehood. Palestine
Egypt’s buffer zone expansion hurts Hamas’ arms supplies Egypt’s decision to expand its buffer zone along its border with the Gaza Strip is a sign that relations with Hamas are no closer to improving. Palestine
Hamas leaders prefer Turkish exile to Gaza hardships Following Qatar's ousting of Hamas' political bureau from the emirate, the group is in search of a new home. Qatar
Israelis wonder how Europe will change after Paris attack Many Israelis think that the terror attack in Paris could be a watershed moment, when the Europeans have to change their human rights approach in the face of fighting radical Islamic terrorism. Palestine
Palestinian officials give contradictory media statements Senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub contradicted his colleague Saeb Erekat’s statements earlier in the week that the Palestinian Authority could be dissolved, raising questions over the PA’s communication strategy. Palestine
Why US, EU should intervene in Israeli elections The United States and European Union should explain to Israeli voters what is at stake at the international level in the March elections. Palestine
Why Israel's PA tax freeze will backfire Israeli politicians cling to the assumption that punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority will create deterrence and prevent its leadership from diplomatic moves, not realizing that such an approach causes Israel strategic damage. Palestine
Islamic State rejected Gaza jihadists' offer of allegiance A prominent pro-Islamic State Salafist leader in Gaza says the militant group refused pledges of allegiance from jihadists in Gaza because of disagreements and divisiveness among them. Palestine
