Mideast Envoy George Mitchell extends his stay in the Middle East as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosts an Iftar at the State Department. The Washington Post examines human rights abuses arising from the divide between Fatah and Hamas. The US rejects a compulsory investigation into the Gaza war. The LA Times runs commentaries for and against the Goldstone Report. The head of a Gaza charity urges the PA to freeze its accounts after an alleged takeover by Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to face a difficult diplomatic atmosphere at upcoming meeting of the UN General Assembly and Palestinian sources are now saying that a three-way summit is "unlikely."

In the New York Times Judge Goldstone offers his own analysis of his commission's report into the war in Gaza. Israel rejects the report’s recommendation for an independent investigation. Articles in Haaretz criticize the denial of allegations and evaluate the potential advantages of an inquiry. Mideast Envoy George Mitchell is scheduled to return to the region Friday for talks. Actors from a popular Palestinian political satire show meet with Prime Minister Fayyad. NPR highlights the hardships created by the intra-Palestinian conflict for a young engaged couple. Removal of 100 West Bank roadblocks begins. IDF soldiers allegedly beat a Palestinian man. Debate over Israeli PR strategy is prompted by controversy at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The UN investigation of the war in Gaza finds that both Israel and Palestinian militant groups committed war crimes, Israeli witnesses defend the report, and Haaretz examines the repercussions for Israeli policy. Bargaining continues with the hope that a tripartite meeting will be held at the UN next week as expected. Women remain excluded from peace negotiations while they bear the brunt of the conflict. A group of prominent Israelis and Palestinians present a blueprint for comprehensive peace. Hamas leader Naser Ash-Sha’er expected to be released by Israeli army.

A New York Times editorial examines what must be done to push the peace process forward. Mideast Envoy George Mitchell extends his stay in Israel in an effort to strike a final deal with Prime Minister Netanyahu on a settlement freeze, and both President Obama and the PA remain optimistic. Israeli President Peres reportedly meets with Saeb Erekat. An article in Haaretz examines the injustice and dangers of the occupation for both Israelis and Palestinians. A right-wing Israeli is convicted of incitement and sentenced to four months community service. Israeli peace activists criticize US tax exemption for settlement funding. J Street student activists promote pro-peace campus coalitions.

A New York Times article examines whether or not Israeli settlers are using the threat of violence as a political strategy. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says differences remain between Israel and the United States, but US Mideast Envoy George Mitchell expresses cautious optimism and Egyptian President Mubarak backs a settlement freeze. The Washington Post profiles the Israeli West Bank settlement of Ariel. National Jewish leaders support President Obama's push for a settlement freeze. Violent clashes erupt between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. The IMF says West Bank economy remains on course to grow about 7 percent this year.

An article in the Economist finds that life is improving in the West Bank. Speculation continues regarding prospects for revival of a US-led peace process in the Middle East. Special Mideast envoy George Mitchell is scheduled to visit both Israel and the Palestinian territories this weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Egyptian President Mubarak are scheduled to meet in Cairo. Senior Fatah member, Azzam Al-Ahmad, expresses reservations over Egypt’s proposal for Palestinian elections. The severing of ties between the Bank of Israel and Gaza banks has severe repercussion for disabled Palestinian laborers. Israeli Defense Minister Barak urges Israel's left to tone down its criticisms. Police forces of Israel and the Palestinian Authority have reportedly demonstrated increasing cooperation.

Articles by ATFP President Ziad Asali and Daoud Kuttab examine Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s plan for de facto statehood. The New York Times profiles J Street. Zahi Khouri argues that occupation and economic growth are incompatible. A 2006 letter from captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit adds pressure on Israeli leaders to secure his release. Violent incidents erupt on the Israel-Gaza border. The UN reiterates that Israeli settlements are illegal, and analysis of a possible freeze continues. Commentaries consider a new Palestinian TV satire program and the B’Tselem report on Gaza civilian deaths.

Former President Jimmy Carter responds to Elliott Abrams’ criticism of his recent op-ed in the Washington Post. The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem says that Israel underestimated Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza war and that most Palestinians killed were civilians. Israel picks contractors for 486 new settlement homes in occupied East Jerusalem. PLO officials Yasser Abed Rabbo and Saeb Erekat say settlement expansion may terminate the peace process before it begins.Fatah appoints Muhammad Dahlan to an information post. Palestinian citizens of Israel plan to strike on October 1. The Israeli Right pressures the government to reject US demands for a settlement freeze.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, authorizes plans for 455 new housing units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Former President Jimmy Carter recounts his travels in the occupied territories, and Elliott Abrams responds, both in the Washington Post. Military rabbis are transforming the traditionally secular culture of the IDF. Egypt announces that it will open the Rafah crossing for two consecutive days. Israeli minister Uzi Landau calls the Palestinians "occupiers." Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly visits the capital of an Arab country which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

In an op-ed for The Guardian, ATFP President Ziad Asali analyzes Salam Fayyad’s blueprint for a de-facto Palestinian state. Prime Minister Netanyahu will reportedly approve the construction of hundreds of new housing units in existing West Bank settlements as a prelude to a building freeze, drawing sharp criticism from many Quarters. President Abbas says that a possible summit meeting with Netanyahu and President Obama depends on "steps that are taken beforehand regarding a settlement construction freeze." Israeli warplanes bomb a tunnel linking the southern Gaza Strip with Israel. Israeli police are deployed in Jerusalem as thousands of Palestinians head to the city for prayers on the second Friday of Ramadan. Hamas leader Khaled Meshal is reportedly planning to finalize a prisoner swap deal involving the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.