News:
The new UN Middle East Peace Envoy [1] Nickolay Mladenov arrives in Gaza. (Ma’an)
An Israeli official says Israel has allowed more than 15,000 tons [2] of building material into war-devastated Gaza today. (Times of Israel)
Mohammed Deif [3], the commander of the Hamas military wing [4], is reportedly alive and involved [5] in Hamas’ military decisions. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Ynet)
Hamas leader Haniyeh [6] says Deif is the proof of Israel's failure to reach senior Palestinian leaders. (Jerusalem Post)
The IDF is reportedly training [7] for the possible reconquering of the entire coastal Palestinian territory in a future confrontation with Hamas. (Times of Israel)
Israel and New Zealand [8] resolve a diplomatic dispute that had prevented New Zealand's new ambassador from taking up his post. (Ynet)
The National looks at how last summer's war in Gaza shifted the unemployment rate [9] to 50 per cent. (The National)
Former Palestinian official Dahlan reportedly mediated the signing of an agreement [10] for the construction of a controversial River Nile dam project. (Newsweek)
Israeli forces detain 19 Palestinians [11] in raids across the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)
Israeli forces demolish a barn [12] belonging to a Palestinian near Nablus. (Ma’an)
A group of Jewish settlers damage water pipes [13] serving Palestinians in Hebron's Old City. (Ma’an)
The Solidarity Festival in Jaffa [14] will feature an exhibition of photos that highlight the victims' view of the Gaza war. (Ha’aretz)
Houthis advance into Yemen’s [15] Aden killing 12 civilians. (Reuters)
Houthi rulers launch an investigation [16] against dozens of public figures, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakul Karman. (Reuters)
The UN says more than 300,000 Yemenis [17] have been driven out from their homes. (AP)
The erosion of the Syrian army [18], which has struggled to replenish its ranks, is forcing the government to rely on Syrian and foreign militias. (New York Times)
EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini [19] says she would like Iran to help usher in security and stability in the Middle East. (New York Times)
King Salman [20] of Saudi Arabia [21] appoints [22] a new heir [23] and makes his young son [24] second in line [25] to rule. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/The National/AFP/Al Arabiya)
Reuters profiles Saudi Arabia’s new FM [26], former Amb. to the US al-Jubeir. (Reuters)
Reuters profiles new Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef [27]. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia announces the arrest of 93 suspects with ties to ISIS [28] and foils an attack on the US embassy. [29] (AP/New York Times)
The US Senate rejects [30] an effort to require any nuclear agreement with Iran to be considered an international treaty. [31] (Reuters/AP)
Commentary:
Colum Lynch [32] says the US is prioritizing an Iran deal over the two-state solution. (Foreign Policy)
Rami Khouri [33] says the recent UN report on the actions of Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza war is an opportunity to hold everybody accountable. (Daily Star)
Zvi Bar’el [34] says ignoring the occupation will not make Israel a “normal country.” (Ha’aretz)
Joel Braunold [35] says the Israeli High Court's decision to uphold the “Anti-Boycott Law” further tears apart the Jewish pro-Israel community in the Diaspora. (Ha’aretz)
Ahmad Melhem [36] says the crisis in the Yarmouk refugee camp reveals the weakness of the PLO. (Al-Monitor)
Hassan Hassan [37] says backed by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, the Islamist Army of Conquest is putting the hurt on the Syrian regime. (Foreign Policy)
Tariq Alhomayed [38] asks what “Operation Decisive Storm” achieved. (Asharq al-Awsat)
The National [39] says King Salman’s leadership reshuffle takes into account recent developments in the region. (The National)
Michael Young [40] unpacks the American pivot away from the Middle East. (The National)
Zaid Belbagi [41] says the GCC states have yet to formalize their influence on international politics and economics through a strategic approach to lobbying. (Al Arabiya)
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