Netanyahu’s defense minister gets him into trouble

Another haphazard decision by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett reshuffled the deck for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and led to an escalation of tensions in the south.

Palestine

How Hamas’ observation units operate on Gaza border

Israel has recently revealed details about Hamas’ observation posts erected along the Gaza border to monitor Israeli movements.

Palestine

PA seeks Israeli left's support to challenge US peace plan

Despite the public's ire, the Palestinian Authority has been meeting with members of the Israeli media and the sympathetic left to boost Israeli opposition to the US peace plan ahead of the March 2 Knesset elections.

Palestine

What is wrong with Israel’s policy toward Gaza?

Lacking any real policy on the Gaza Strip, Israel keeps imposing and then easing restrictions on the suffering of Gaza residents.

Palestine

Countries fire allegations of interference against Dahlan

Fatah’s dismissed leader, Mohammed Dahlan, is facing accusations from Turkey and other countries that he's been meddling in their affairs on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates

Egypt may find Gaza more appealing without Haniyeh

Although tensions between the Egyptian authorities and Hamas were expected to escalate amid reports that Egypt had banned Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh from returning to Egypt and subsequently to Gaza, Egyptian analysts expect relations to be more relaxed in Haniyeh's absence.

Qatar

Netanyahu honeymoons with Hamas, expects quiet in return

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has quietly made a number of significant concessions to Hamas to buy some quiet until the March 2 elections in Israel.

Palestine

Hamas, Fatah trade blame for holdup on Gaza meeting

Fatah and Hamas are accusing each other of delaying the PLO delegation visit to Gaza aimed at countering the US Mideast peace plan.

Palestine

Another UN step underscoring illegality of Israeli settlements

The Palestinians are banking on the newly released UN list of businesses operating in the Israeli settlements to bring those businesses before the judiciary and pressure them to end activities in the settlements.

Palestine

Hamas failing to rally West Bank against US peace plan

Security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is the main obstacle to Hamas’ efforts to mobilize armed resistance in the West Bank after the unveiling of the US peace plan.

Palestine

Palestinian-Israeli agriculture exchange hits a snag

The normal exchange of agriculture and animal goods between Israel and Palestine has hit a snag, causing economic and social interruptions and possibly pushing Palestinians to become less dependent on Israel.

Palestine

How will the PA face its declining popularity?

It remains to be seen whether the attitudes of Palestinians on managing the conflict with Israel and the increased popular support for the armed struggle push Hamas to encourage military resistance.

Palestine