News:
Israel's security cabinet [1] approves extending the fortified fence [2] along its Egyptian border into a section of the frontier with neighboring Jordan. [3] (Reuters/Ynet/Jerusalem Post)
Israel [4] blocks [5] a boat leading [6] a four-vessel protest flotilla [7] of foreign activists [8] from reaching Gaza [9]and forced the vessel [10] to sail to an Israeli port. [11] (Reuters/AP/Washington Post/AFP/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz/
A Palestinian official [12] says Islamic Jihad leader [13] Khader Adnan [14] jailed by Israel has agreed to end a 56- day hunger strike [15] in exchange for a pledge [16] that he would go free next month. (Reuters/AP/Ma’an/PNN/Ha’
A Palestinian [17] woman stabs [18] a female Israeli soldier [19] at a military checkpoint [20] in Bethlehem [21]. (Ma’an/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades [22] plans to invite PM Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas to speak before EU leaders. (Ha’aretz)
Senior Egyptian and Israeli officials [23] meet in Cairo [24] for the first time since 2011. (Times of Israel/Reuters)
Hamas orders the closing [25] of the main office of Jawwal, the only cellular telephone company operating in Gaza, and demands that it pay taxes to the Gaza government. (Ha’aretz)
PM Hamdallah meets with a UN official [26] to discuss reconstruction in Gaza, where thousands remain homeless. (Ma’an)
Qatar is to create work opportunities [27] for up to 20,000 Palestinians. (Ma’an)
The Jerusalem Youth Chorus [28], is one of the few coexistence initiatives to weather the hatred and violence that have erupted on both sides over the past year. (New York Times)
DM Ya'alon says [29] Israel has been forced recently to deal with preventing retaliation against Syrian Druze. (Ha’aretz)
Kuwait identifies [30] the suicide bomber [31] behind its worst [32] militant attack [33] as a young Saudi Arabian man [34]. (Reuters/New York Times/AP/Washington Post/The National)
Crucial questions remain [35] as Iran nuclear talks approach the deadline. (New York Times)
Analysts and officials say a final deal to resolve the Iranian nuclear dispute [36] could heighten domestic political tensions with two major elections looming in Iran. (Reuters)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [37] says Pres. Abbas must reverse the travesty over Salam Fayyad’s organisation if he wants to protect his legacy. (The National)
Adnan Abu Amer [38] says the many currents within Fatah are at war as to whom should lead the movement and succeed Pres. Abbas. (Al-Monitor)
Ira Stup [39] looks at why students are turning to BDS. (The Forward)
Elhanan Miller [40] looks at Israel’s Druze dilemma. (Times of Israel)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [41] looks at the deadlock in Yemen. (Asharq al Awsat)
Ray Takeyh [42] looks at Iran’s payoff after a nuclear deal with the P5+1. (Washington Post)
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