News:
The PLO says the evacuation of civilians from Yarmouk [1] is “virtually complete.” (Ha’aretz)
The PLO marks Palestinian Prisoner's Day [2] by demanding that Israel end its "captivity" of the Palestinian people under occupation. (Ma’an
A Hamas leader [3] al-Haya calls for the abduction of Israelis [4]. (Ma’an/AFP)
20 Palestinian journalists are currently being held in Israeli jails. (Ma’an)
Israel will deploy a revolutionary new tunnel detection system [5] along the Gaza border. (Times of Israel)
The Israeli army closes off a village [6]in the occupied West Bank after stone-throwing incidents. (Ha’aretz)
Gaza temporarily stops exporting tomatoes to Israel [7]. (Ma’an)
The Washington Post looks at the future of the Joint List [8]. (Washington Post)
Pres. Assad says Turkish military and logistical support was the main factor [9] that helped insurgents seize Idlib from government control last month. (Reuters)
The UN calls on Western nations [10] to shelter Syrian refugees. (New York Times)
The UNSC sees video [11] evidence of a chemical attack in Syria [12]. (New York Times/Times of Israel)
ISIS militants clash with Iraqi security forces [13] inside the Baiji refinery. (Reuters)
Gen. Dempsey says the US is focusing airstrikes [14] to protect Baiji. (AP)
Yemen’s newly appointed VP Bahah says he hopes to avert a Saudi-led invasion to restore unity to the country. (Reuters)
UNSG Ban [15] calls for an immediate halt [16] to the fighting in Yemen [17]. (Reuters/AP/The National)
The war in Yemen is allowing an al-Qaeda group to expand [18]. (New York Times)
The UN launches an appeal for $275 million [19] to aid the people in Yemen. (Reuters)
Australian FM Bishop will head to Tehran [20] on Saturday. (Times of Israel)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [21] says everyone who cares about peace should boycott settlements. (NOW)
Ron Kampeas [22] asks if the Obama administration is “making nice” with Israel.(JTA)
Israel Harel [23]calls on opposition leader Herzog to join a unity government. (Ha’aretz)
Bob Corker [24] says bipartisan legislation will aid transparency on the Iran deal. (Washington Post)
David Rothkopf [25] says the current deal is a massive payment to temporarily put Iran’s nuclear program on hold. (Foreign Policy)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [26] looks at the problems with the current Iran deal. (Al Arabiya)
Amir Taheri [27]asks if the Obama administration has made an agreement with Iran more difficult. (Asharq al Awsat)
H.A. Hellyer [28] says the region must look beyond the Iran framework deal before it's too late. (The National)
The National [29]says Yemen’s problems, like those in Iraq, extend far beyond the country’s porous borders. (The National)
Manal Omar and Sarhang Hamasaeed [30] say the plan for Iraq's future needs to go deeper than defeating ISIS. (Foreign Policy)