News:
An increasing number of desperate young Palestinians [1] have been caught trying to cross into Israel from Gaza since last summer’s war. (New York Times)
Palestinian official Shaath [2] says financial and political problems within the PA could lead to violence if not addressed. (Ma’an)
Hamas leader Abu Marzouq [3] says Quartet Envoy Blair visited Gaza to notify the group of a new set of “preconditions” for reconstruction. (Ma’an)
Hamas is reportedly seeking to fight Israel from Lebanon [4]. (Ha’aretz)
A series of cyber attacks against Israel [5]appear to be coming from Gaza. (AFP)
Palestinian land in occupied East Jerusalem [6] is expropriated by Israel and used as a landfill. (Ha’aretz)
Extremist Jewish settlers uproot 500 newly planted olive trees [7] in Hebron. (Ma’an)
An Israeli girl [8] who was critically injured in a car accident [9] caused by Palestinian rock throwers [10] two years ago dies. (New York Times/JTA/Times of Israel)
The Media Line asks if the Palestinian boycott against products [11] manufactured by six leading Israeli companies is feasible. (The Media Line)
Hamas prevents Arabic fiction award [12] finalist Atef Abu Saif from leaving Gaza. (Al-Monitor)
Opposition Leader Herzog [13] says if he is elected he will not negotiate with Hamas. (Ynet)
Some political candidates in Israel [14] are seeking to revive debates with opponents. (New York Times)
DM Ya’alon visits India [15] to boost arms sales. (Reuters)
EU officials confirm Israel [16] is not fully briefed on Iran-P5+1 talks. (Times of Israel)
A poll indicates nearly two thirds of Americans [17] say PM Netanyahu’s speech to Congress is a “bad move.” (Ha’aretz)
Pres. Sisi’s crackdown on dissent [18] is leaving little space for critics, comics or cartoonists. (Reuters)
UN Envoy to Syria de Mistura announces a possible truce in Aleppo [19]. (New York Times)
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says battles in and around Aleppo have killed [20] at least 70 pro-government fighters and more than 80 insurgents. (Reuters)
Jordan’s fight against ISIS [21] is a high risk balancing act. (The National)
Al-Qaeda linked Islamist militants [22] attack a checkpoint in Tunisia, killing four police [23] officers. (Reuters/AP)
Italy calls for urgent international action [24] to halt Libya's slide into chaos and says it is ready to help monitor a ceasefire [25] and train local armed forces. (Reuters/AP)
Pres. Obama’s view of the US role in the Arab world [26] is challenged by a number of crises. (AP)
At the counter extremism summit Obama aims to broaden the global approach [27] to countering terrorism. (AP)
Ayatollah Khamenei [28] says Iran might respond to international pressure by cutting back on gas exports. [29] (Reuters/Jerusalem Post)
Commentary:
Ben Caspit [30] says Netanyahu’s speech to Congress could tip the electoral scale in his favor. (Al-Monitor)
Peter Beinart [31] says Elie Wiesel keeps apologizing for a government that betrays his ideals. (Ha’aretz)
George Hishmeh [32] says American supporters of Israel and the Israeli public remain seriously divided over the “arrogant and unyielding stance” of Netanyahu ahead of the elections. (Gulf News)
Hussein Ibish [33] says the West has underestimated the recruiting appeal of ISIS’ “theater of cruelty.” (New York Times)
Yousef Al Otaiba [34] says ISIS cannot be defeated on the battlefield alone. (Politico)
The Washington Post [35] says Egypt’s response to the beheadings in Libya is “wrong.” (Washington Post)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [36] says military intervention will not solve Yemen’s problems. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Manuel Almeida [37] looks at the “feebleness” of the UN resolution on Yemen. (Al Arabiya)
Michael Young [38] says the solution for Syria after the civil war is bigger than Pres. Assad and might include a federation of states. (The National)
Thomas Friedman [39] says Turkey’s drift away from democracy is part of a much larger trend around the world. (New York Times)
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