EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names. Israel
Feature Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Analysis On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Interview Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government. Ehud Olmert Former Israeli prime minister
How Palestinian authorities plan to clamp down on cybercrime The establishment of a cybercrime task force in Palestine aims to deter e-crimes, which many Palestinians are falling victim to and are not reporting to the police out of fear and intimidation. Palestine
Palestinians need own strategy to end occupation The disappointing Paris peace conference should convince Palestinians of the need to develop a strategy of their own and not to rely on the international community to end the Israeli occupation. Palestine
Circus troupe takes Jerusalem's streets by storm Three young Palestinians founded Street Circus to put on free, spontaneous shows for entertaining residents and bringing attention to the city's lack of support for the arts. Palestine
Who will have upper hand in Trump’s Mideast policy? Palestinians are enlisting the European Union, Egypt and Russia to counterbalance pro-Israeli positions that prevail within President Donald Trump’s entourage. Palestine
Will 2017 see the end of Gaza’s siege? In light of the Palestinian government's budget failure to meet the needs of the Gaza Strip, the accumulated crises resulting from the Gaza siege will likely continue to exist despite the partial solutions that may emerge. Palestine
Hamas, PA quarrel over government functions in Gaza Amid the ongoing debate between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority over administration of Gaza, Palestinians' hardships continue. Palestine
Have the Palestinians blocked US Embassy move to Jerusalem? Senior Palestinian officials believe that their restrained diplomatic approach through Jordanian and Egyptian channels helped suspend the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Palestine
Does Trump's 'America First' approach bode ill for Israel? It is unclear whether US President Donald Trump will see in his new isolationist strategy an interest for the United States to mediate between Israel and its neighbors. Palestine
Israel’s Gaza war and ‘post-truth’ politics On the eve of the release of the report on the failures of the political leadership during Operation Protective Edge, the country’s leaders have launched a war of versions in order to derive political benefit. Palestine
Gaza reels as power crisis continues to leave its population in darkness The power crisis and its roots in the Gaza Strip have stirred a heated debate involving mutual accusations between the PA and Hamas, while Palestinians take to the streets to protest the growing problem. Palestine
Smoking ban leaves some Gaza cab drivers fuming The Gaza government has begun enforcing a ban on smoking in public transportation vehicles at the beginning of the year, to mixed reactions among drivers and passengers. Palestine
Will Hamas military wing topple Haniyeh’s candidacy? Ismail Haniyeh knows that even if he is elected as the head of Hamas’ political bureau, the military wing will be the one that rules Hamas. Palestine