News:
A UN inquiry into possible war crimes [1] in last summer’s [2] Gaza war [3] will produce its report on time [4]next month despite the resignation [5] of its chairman. (Reuters/New York Times/AFP/PNN/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
PM Netanyahu calls [6] for scrapping the UN commission [7] on Gaza. (AP/Ha’aretz)
Hamas accuses Israel [8] of “exerting pressure” on the head of the commission. (Ma’an)
The PA will reportedly ask the ICC to look into Israel’s settlement construction [9]. (Jerusalem Post)
Saudi Arabia allocates $13.5 million [10] to UNRWA. (Ma’an)
Palestinians protest [11] Pres. Rivlin’s visit [12] to Hebron [13]. (AFP/JTA/Ynet)
Pres. Abbas orders an investigation [14] into the official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah [15] for publishing a caricature depicting the Prophet Mohammed. (Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)
The mayor of Bethlehem [16] Vera Baboun hopes Pope Francis will help her prevent Israel from extending its security barrier near the city. (Ha’aretz)
At least eight women [17] are killed and 50 injured [18] in a collision [19] involving a bus who was carrying Bedouin women [20] who had visited the Al-Aqsa mosque [21] and a tractor in the Negev. (JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Ynet/Jerusalem Post)
A poll forecasts [22] Netanyahu’s Likud party may win 25 of parliament's 120 seats in the upcoming election. (Reuters)
An Israeli satirical TV show [23] returns on air just in time for the elections. (Washington Post)
Iraq’s Cabinet approves a draft law [24] creating a national guard. (Reuters)
AP says the cost for fighters [25] leaving ISIS is death or jail. (AP)
The Pentagon says ISIS extremists are expanding their “international footprint” [26] in ungoverned areas of the Mideast and North Africa. (Bloomberg)
Iraqi DM al-Obeidi [27] claims ISIS can be defeated “within months.” (CCTV)
Pres. Obama requests $8.8 billion [28] to fund the fight against ISIS in the 2016 budget. (AFP)
Canada’s FM Baird [29] says the release of Al-Jazeera journalist [30] Mohamed Fahmy is "imminent." (AP/The National)
By sacking two reformist ministers [31] and authorizing bonuses for employees [32] of large companies, King Salman is already making his mark. (Reuters/The National)
The new Saudi channel Al Arab suspends [33] broadcasting in Bahrain, supposedly for technical reasons, after giving opposition leaders airtime. (New York Times)
King Abdullah of Jordan [34] will be meeting with senior US administration officials in Washington. (Jordan Times)
Commentary:
The Washington Post [35] says all parties, especially Hamas, deserve blame for Gaza’s “tragic cycle.” (Washington Post)
Khaled Diab [36] says Mizrahi Jews and Palestinian citizens of Israel could form a formidable voting bloc. (Ha’aretz)
Niva Lanir [37] says Netanyahu is playing “dangerous games” in Israel’s back yard. (Ha’aretz)
David Horovitz interviews Israel’s youngest female Labor politician Stav Shaffir. [38] (Times of Israel)
Alise Mofrej [39]describes conditions inside Syria’s jails. (New York Times)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [40] wonders if Jordan will still release Iraqi terrorist Sajida Rishawi after the execution of the two Japanese hostages. (Al Arabiya)
Michael Weiss and Michael Pregent [41] say Iran is making it impossible for the US-led coalition to beat ISIS. (Daily Beast)
Hassan Barari [42] looks at Egypt’s Sinai challenge. (Jordan Times)
Bel Trew [43] says no one will save Al Jazeera’s Egyptian journalist Baher Mohamed. (Foreign Policy)
Fethullah Gulen [44] complains that Turkey’s democracy is eroding. (New York Times)