Gazan civilians flee from Israeli airstrike
Negotiations between Palestinian factions were adjourned for a week after failing to bridge differences on key issues. Unity talks will re-commence following this weekend.
Two days after announcing a failure in negotiations with Hamas over captured soldier Gilad Shalit, Israeli Defense Forces seized ten Hamas political leaders in the West Bank. Among them, Nasser Shaer, who served as Palestinian Authority deputy prime minister in 2006 after Hamas won Parliamentary elections. The IDF would not comment as to whether the move was related to the breakdown in negotiations, in which Hamas sought the release of 450 Palestinian prisoners, while Israel would only grant 325.
In response to Israeli soldiers' reports of violations of the rules of engagement in Gaza, as reported in Haaretz yesterday, the Israeli Defense Forces have announced an investigation into the allegations.
Two days after announcing a failure in negotiations with Hamas over captured soldier Gilad Shalit, Israeli Defense Forces seized ten Hamas political leaders in the West Bank. Among them, Nasser Shaer, who served as Palestinian Authority deputy prime minister in 2006 after Hamas won Parliamentary elections. The IDF would not comment as to whether the move was related to the breakdown in negotiations, in which Hamas sought the release of 450 Palestinian prisoners, while Israel would only grant 325.
In response to Israeli soldiers' reports of violations of the rules of engagement in Gaza, as reported in Haaretz yesterday, the Israeli Defense Forces have announced an investigation into the allegations.
From Within Palestine
Thousands rally in Rafah, call for redoubled efforts of committees in Cairo (Ma'an News Agency)
Hamas: Jailing leaders threatens prisoner deal (Ma'an News)
Gaza Deaths Dog Israeli Military (Al-Jazeera English)
Palestinian Water Authority wants to import water from Turkey (Today's Zaman)
Palestinian Reconciliation Talks Break Up, No Deal (The New York Times)
Deal on Palestinian government needs time - Hamas (Reuters)
Faction leader: Palestinian committee agrees on "transitional" unity gov't (Xinhua)
Israel
Israeli soliders break ranks over Gaza war (MSNBC)
Palestinian MK Barakeh questioned by Israeli police (Ma'an News Agency)
Labor spat could thwart broad coalition (The Jerusalem Post)
After Gaza, Israel Grapples With Crisis of Isolation (NY Times)
Panel: Tighten Gaza borders, revoke Palestinian prisoners' privileges (Haaretz)
International Relations
Egypt may boycott peace treaty anniversary over Lieberman pick (Haaretz)
Palestinian stance key to EU-Israel ties (Reuters)
US-Israel Relations
Washington Braces To Greet Lieberman as Foreign Minister (Jewish Daily Forward)
Activism/Aid
Protesters speak out against Israeli incursion into Gaza (The Daily Bruin)
Umm el-Fahm march gets go-ahead (Jerusalem Post)
International Law
Israeli army orders investigation into unethical actions in Gaza (Xinhua)
Commentary
Khaled Diab: The Middle East Media Frontline (Guardian)
Mel Frykberg: Israelis Using 'Excessive' Force Against Protesters (IPS)
Max Boot: Lebanon's hopes for democracy (LA Times)
OLD-Chas Freeman: A U.S. Role Is Crucial For Peace (NY Times)
Jonathan Tobin: Lobbies will clash over 'stimulus' plan for Palestinians (Jewish Chronicle)
Ari Shavit: Thinking outside two boxes (Haaretz)
Brian Whitaker: Is exclusion the best policy? (Guardian)
Rupert Murdoch: I am not Jewish but... (Jerusalem Post)
