News:

An increasing number of desperate young Palestinians have been caught trying to cross into Israel from Gaza since last summer’s war. (New York Times)

Palestinian official Shaath says financial and political problems within the PA could lead to violence if not addressed. (Ma’an)

Hamas leader Abu Marzouq 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. (Ha’aretz)

A series of cyber attacks against Israel appear to be coming from Gaza. (AFP)

Palestinian land in occupied East Jerusalem is expropriated by Israel and used as a landfill. (Ha’aretz)

Extremist Jewish settlers uproot 500 newly planted olive trees in Hebron. (Ma’an)

An Israeli girl who was critically injured in a car accident caused by Palestinian rock throwers two years ago dies. (New York Times/JTA/Times of Israel)

The Media Line asks if the Palestinian boycott against products manufactured by six leading Israeli companies is feasible. (The Media Line)

Hamas prevents Arabic fiction award finalist Atef Abu Saif from leaving Gaza. (Al-Monitor)

Opposition Leader Herzog says if he is elected he will not negotiate with Hamas. (Ynet)

Some political candidates in Israel are seeking to revive debates with opponents. (New York Times)

DM Ya’alon visits India to boost arms sales. (Reuters)

EU officials confirm Israel is not fully briefed on Iran-P5+1 talks. (Times of Israel)

A poll indicates nearly two thirds of Americans say PM Netanyahu’s speech to Congress is a “bad move.” (Ha’aretz)

Pres. Sisi’s crackdown on dissent is leaving little space for critics, comics or cartoonists. (Reuters)

UN Envoy to Syria de Mistura announces a possible truce in Aleppo.  (New York Times)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says battles in and around Aleppo have killed at least 70 pro-government fighters and more than 80 insurgents. (Reuters)

Jordan’s fight against ISIS is a high risk balancing act. (The National)

Al-Qaeda linked Islamist militants attack a checkpoint in Tunisia, killing four police officers. (Reuters/AP)

Italy calls for urgent international action to halt Libya's slide into chaos and says it is ready to help monitor a ceasefire and train local armed forces. (Reuters/AP)

Pres. Obama’s view of the US role in the Arab world is challenged by a number of crises. (AP)

At the counter extremism summit Obama aims to broaden the global approach to countering terrorism. (AP)

Ayatollah Khamenei says Iran might respond to international pressure by cutting back on gas exports. (Reuters/Jerusalem Post)

Commentary:

Ben Caspit says Netanyahu’s speech to Congress could tip the electoral scale in his favor. (Al-Monitor)

Peter Beinart says Elie Wiesel keeps apologizing for a government that betrays his ideals. (Ha’aretz)

George Hishmeh 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 says the West has underestimated the recruiting appeal of ISIS’ “theater of cruelty.” (New York Times)

Yousef Al Otaiba says ISIS cannot be defeated on the battlefield alone. (Politico)

The Washington Post says Egypt’s response to the beheadings in Libya is “wrong.”  (Washington Post)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says military intervention will not solve Yemen’s problems. (Asharq al-Awsat) 

Manuel Almeida looks at the “feebleness” of the UN resolution on Yemen. (Al Arabiya)

Michael Young 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 says Turkey’s drift away from democracy is part of a much larger trend around the world.  (New York Times)