News:
The PA says it will not negotiate with Israel [1] past the 9 month deadline. (Ma’an)
Canadian PM Harper announces a $66 million aid [2]program for the PA. (The Jerusalem Post)
Harper declines [3] to publicly criticize Israel on settlements. (The Jerusalem Post)
PM Netanyahu warns Hamas [4] of a harsh Israeli response to any attack. (Ha’aretz)
Israeli human rights report affirms that Israel’s restrictions on Palestinian movement [5] are splitting families. (AFP)
Israel’s Labor Party leader Herzog questions if Netanyahu has the “guts” [6] to make peace with the Palestinians. (AP)
Hamas is [7]taking security measures to preserve the ceasefire [8]with Israel. (Xinhua/Ynet)
Israeli “price tag” vandals slash the tires [9] of 20 vehicles and spray graffiti in the occupied West Bank. (The Jerusalem Post)
Hamas uses cigarette taxes [10] to pay its employees’ salaries. (Al Monitor)
The Syrian opposition will attend [11]the peace talks in Switzerland. (AP).
Iran criticizes [12]UNSG Ban for rescinding its invitation [13] to the Syria talks. (AP/New York Times)
Russian FM Lavrov [14] also criticizes the withdrawal of Iran’s invitation. (Independent)
A new report [15] shows the systematic torture and killing of about 11,000 detainees by the Assad regime. (Reuters)
Turkey closes its border [16] crossing with Syria due to security reasons. (Xinhua)
Western intelligence suggests [17] that Pres. Assad has funded and co-operated with al-Qaeda. (The Telegraph)
A car bomb hits a Shi'ite suburb [18] in southern Beirut, killing four people [19]. (AP/New York Times)
The Al-Nusra Front in Lebanon [20] claims responsibility for the Beirut attack. (AFP)
Iraq executes 26 [21] prisoners for terrorism-related charges [22]. (AP/Reuters)
An Egyptian court sets [23] Feb. 16 as the start date for one of the trials of former Pres. Morsi. (AP)
The UAE convicts [24] 30 men accused of setting up an illegal Muslim Brotherhood branch. (AP)
Commentary:
Ha’aretz [25] calls on the Israeli government to stop the covert and illegal funding of settlement outposts. (Ha’aretz)
Gadi Shamni [26] thinks that the American approach to peace talks has failed, and it’s time to look for an alternative. (Ha’aretz)
David Newman [27] says DM Ya’alon’s comment that Sec. Kerry is “messianic” is ironic since he is an ultimate “messianist” who believes in a “Greater Israel.” (The Jerusalem Post)
J.J. Goldberg [28] says its not just American pressure that’s pushing Netanyahu toward painful compromises, but the will of the Israeli public. (The Jewish Daily Forward)
Amitai Etzioni [29] says resolving Israel’s security issues surrounding the Jordan border should be a priority. (The Jewish Daily Forward)
Faisal Al Yafai [30] says Assad’s offer of a truce in Aleppo opens the door again for international military intervention. (The National)
James Harkin [31] says the West’s approach to Syria is wrong because it relies on an “anti-extremism strategy.” (The Gulf News)
Colum Lynch and John Hudson [32] say hopes for a diplomatic resolution in Syria appear more distant than ever. (Foreign Policy)
Volker Perthes [33]says Russia and Iran should force Assad to accept a cease-fire agreement at the Geneva II talks. (The Daily Star)
Mohammad Jamal [34] says sectarian strife must be checked in the region. (The Gulf News)