News:
Cease-fire negotiations [1] continue in Cairo as the temporary truce [2]
holds. (AP/Reuters)
Hamas insists the people of Gaza have "nothing left to lose." [3] (Al Monitor)
Israel's delegation reportedly appears to be open to measures [4] easing
the Gaza blockade [5]. (Ma'an/Ha'aretz)
Hamas is reportedly open to allowing PA security forces [6] to monitor the
crossing with Egypt [7]. (Jerusalem Post/Asharq Al-Awsat)
The head of the PA delegation to the Cairo negotiations says Hamas
rule in Gaza is "over." [8] (Times of Israel)
Israeli officials say gaps in the negotiations are still "very wide." [9]
(Times of Israel)
The costs of destruction [10] from the war in Gaza are estimated at $5
billion. (Al Monitor)
Israeli warships open fire [11] on Palestinian fishing vessels near Rafah. (Ma'an)
Palestinians are pushing for the creation of a Gaza seaport [12] in
cease-fire negotiations in Cairo. (New York Times)
The Foreign Press Association condemns Hamas's censorship [13] and
restrictions against journalists. (YNet)
Palestinian families are divided by Israeli policies [14]. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
US welcomes the appointment [15] of a new Iraqi Prime Minister [16] designate.
(New York Times)
Iran also expresses support [17] for the Iraqi Prime Minister designate. (AP)
PM al-Maliki orders the Iraqi Army to stay out of politics [18]. (AP)
Al-Maliki appears more isolated [19] than ever as tensions rise [20] in Baghdad.
(AP/Reuters)
The New York Times profiles IS leader [21] al-Baghdadi. (New York Times)
American officials reportedly admit they were taken aback by the rapid
rise of IS in Iraq [22]. (Ha'aretz)
Human Rights Watch says "crimes against humanity" [23] may have been
committed in Egypt [24] last summer. (AP/Washington Post)
The Libyan Parliament agrees to direct presidential elections [25]. (Reuters)
Commentary:
David Kenner [26] says battle-hardened militants in Gaza see the current
truce as only temporary and want to keep fighting. (Foreign Policy)
Avi Issacharoff [27] says talk of a deal in Cairo may be unduly optimistic.
(Times of Israel)
Raphael Ahren [28] asks what Israel is expected to get out of the
negotiations. (Times of Israel)
Gadi Taub [29] says many on the Israeli left supported the Gaza war because
Hamas opposes a two-state solution. (The Forward)
Janine Zacharia [30] asks why Israel didn't use tunnel mapping technology
to avoid fatalities in Gaza. (Washington Post)
Uri Arad [31] says the "Hannibal Directive" is the beginning of fascism in
Israel. (YNet)
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed [32] says IS is wittingly or unwittingly serving
Pres. Assad and al-Maliki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The New York Times [33] says Iraq needs a new prime minister. (New York Times)
Ali Allawi [34] says Iraqis need a prime mister who can unite them. (New York Times)
Ziad al-Ali [35] says Iraqi institutions must be rebuilt from the top down.
(New York Times)
David Brooks [36] says Hillary Clinton seems to be offering a wise
alternative on Iraq and other foreign policy challenges to Pres.
Obama's policies. (New York Times)
Aaron David Miller [37] says Obama remains a risk-averse president, and
that's a good thing. (Foreign Policy)
Hassan Hassan [38] says a new Iraqi Prime Minister presents important
opportunities for Arab Gulf states. (The National)
The Gulf News [39] says Qatar must stop fighting with its GCC partners. (Gulf News)