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News:

The ICC chief prosecutor Bensouda says she is weighing opening war crimes investigations into Palestinians as well as Israelis. (AFP)

Israeli occupation forces detain three Palestinians in southern Nablus. (Ma’an)

Street artist Banksy finds a canvas and a new fanbase in Gaza’s ruins. (New York Times)

The Islamic University in Gaza introduces two diploma programs for hearing-impaired students. (Al-Monitor)

Israelis of Ethiopian origin protest police violence in Jerusalem. (Reuters/AP/AFP/JTA)

Israel blames its Arab neighbors for the failure of progress toward achieving a Middle East free of nuclear weapons. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Islamist rebels and the Syrian army fight in Latakia province close to Pres. Assad's ancestral home. (Reuters)

Kobani is still a ghost town, months after the liberation from ISIS. (AP)

A year after opening Azraq camp in Jordan, billed as an improved model for sheltering Syrian refugees, has a mixed record. (AP)

A proposal to arm Sunnis adds to Iraqi suspicions of the US. (New York Times)

Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition target a residential district in Sanaa, killing ten civilians. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia's Supreme Economic Council approves a restructuring of state oil company Aramco. (Reuters/Al Arabiya)

VP Biden says the US is willing to go to war to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. (JTA/Times of Israel)

FM Zarif congratulates his newly-installed Saudi counterpart on his appointment. (AFP)

Commentary:

Amos Harel says the secret talks hold hope for a lengthy Hamas-Israel truce. (Ha’aretz)

Hussein Ibish says King Salman's recent move concentrates his own power and that of his Sudairi relatives for the foreseeable future. (NOW)

Hussein Ibish says recent changes in the Saudi government consolidate King Salman’s power. (AGSIW)

Salman Aldossary says King Salman is restructuring the Saudi state and regulating the work of the government. (Asharq al-Awsat)

David Ignatius says Iran wants dialogue with the region. (Washington Post)

Zvi Bar’el says Iran is already preparing for the day after sanctions are lifted. (Ha’aretz)

Jamal Khashoggi says Iran does not want Saudi Arabia to emerge victorious in Yemen. (Al Arabiya)

Majid Rafizadeh says  Iranian leaders will not change their regional ambitions, sectarian agenda and revolutionary principles. (Al Arabiya)

News:

The US has reportedly asked the French government to postpone its initiative for a UNSC draft resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. (Ha’aretz)

Gaza protesters are reportedly beaten and arrested by Hamas security officials. (New York Times/AFP)

Israel returns 15 fishing boats seized from Palestinians in Gaza. (Reuters/AFP/Times of Israel)

UN Middle East Peace Envoy Mladenov urges Palestinian factions to unite and Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza. (AFP/Jerusalem Post)

NSA Rice says the Obama administration expects a commitment to the two-state solution from the next Israeli government and from the PA. (JTA)

Former Pres. Carter cancels his visit to Gaza. (Ma’an/JTA/AP)

Israeli police arrest a 6-year old boy from occupied East Jerusalem for allegedly stoning a bus.(Ha’aretz/PNN/Times of Israel) 

Israel's military sees a growing threat in instant messaging applications -- both to battlefield secrecy and to the privacy of women soldiers. (Reuters)

Iraq is poised to deploy Shi'ite paramilitaries backed by Iran to Sunni tribal areas west of Baghdad. (Reuters)

Syrian activist groups report another suspected chemical attack in the northwestern province of Idlib. (AP)

Jordan’s overland trade has largely been paralyzed by recent border attacks from insurgents in neighboring Syria and Iraq. (AP)

Airstrikes from the Saudi-led coalition target the southern Yemeni city of Aden as combatants battle for control of the main airport. (Reuters)

Gulf FM’s meet in Riyadh for talks on their military operation in Yemen. (AFP)

The US Senate rejects tying terrorism support to Iran sanctions relief. (Reuters)

FM Zarif says the US risks ostracism if signed nuclear deal is “scrapped.” (New York Times)

Iranian opposition leader Rajavi says Iran wants nuclear weapons to foster Islamic extremism. (AP)

France announces it will sell 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar in a $7 billion deal. (AP)

Commentary:

Iris Leal says Joint List leader Odeh demonstrates greater sensitivity than Jewish MKs toward the Knesset and its symbols. (Ha’aretz)

Gershon Baskin says for the survival and for the security of Israel, it is time for the State of Palestine. (Jerusalem Post)

Shlomi Eldar says Arab youth are using social media to send messages of peace to Israel. (Al-Monitor)

Joyce Karam profiles new Saudi FM Al-Jubeir. (Al Arabiya)

Elizabeth Dickinson looks at King Salman’s shake-up of the royal family and how that marks the true start of his reign. (Foreign Policy)

Theodore Karasik says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef is the perfect leader for the necessary political and social reforms that the kingdom needs. (Al Arabiya)

Michael Young says Pres. Assad's regime is beginning to crumble despite assistance from Iran and its allies. (Daily Star)

The Daily Star says Assad’s regime appears to be entering its final phases. (Daily Star)

News:

The new UN Middle East Peace Envoy Nickolay Mladenov arrives in Gaza. (Ma’an)

An Israeli official says Israel has allowed more than 15,000 tons of building material into war-devastated Gaza today. (Times of Israel) 

Mohammed Deif, the commander of the Hamas military wing, is reportedly alive and involved in Hamas’ military decisions. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Ynet)

Hamas leader Haniyeh says Deif is the proof of Israel's failure to reach senior Palestinian leaders. (Jerusalem Post)

The IDF is reportedly training for the possible reconquering of the entire coastal Palestinian territory in a future confrontation with Hamas. (Times of Israel)

Israel and New Zealand 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 to 50 per cent. (The National)

Former Palestinian official Dahlan reportedly mediated the signing of an agreement for the construction of a controversial River Nile dam project. (Newsweek)

Israeli forces detain 19 Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)

Israeli forces demolish a barn belonging to a Palestinian near Nablus. (Ma’an)

A group of Jewish settlers damage water pipes serving Palestinians in Hebron's Old City. (Ma’an) 

The Solidarity Festival in Jaffa will feature an exhibition of photos that highlight the victims' view of the Gaza war. (Ha’aretz)

Houthis advance into Yemen’s Aden killing 12 civilians. (Reuters)

Houthi rulers launch an investigation against dozens of public figures, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakul Karman. (Reuters)

The UN says more than 300,000 Yemenis have been driven out from their homes. (AP)

The erosion of the Syrian army, 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 says she would like Iran to help usher in security and stability in the Middle East. (New York Times)

King Salman of Saudi Arabia appoints a new heir and makes his young son second in line to rule. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/The National/AFP/Al Arabiya)

Reuters profiles Saudi Arabia’s new FM, former Amb. to the US al-Jubeir. (Reuters)

Reuters profiles new Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia announces the arrest of 93 suspects with ties to ISIS and foils an attack on the US embassy. (AP/New York Times)

The US Senate rejects an effort to require any nuclear agreement with Iran to be considered an international treaty. (Reuters/AP)

Commentary:

Colum Lynch says the US is prioritizing an Iran deal over the two-state solution. (Foreign Policy)

Rami Khouri 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 says ignoring the occupation will not make Israel a “normal country.” (Ha’aretz)

Joel Braunold 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 says the crisis in the Yarmouk refugee camp reveals the weakness of the PLO. (Al-Monitor)

Hassan Hassan 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 asks what “Operation Decisive Storm” achieved. (Asharq al-Awsat)

The National says King Salman’s leadership reshuffle takes into account recent developments in the region. (The National)

Michael Young unpacks the American pivot away from the Middle East. (The National)

Zaid Belbagi says the GCC states have yet to formalize their influence on international politics and economics through a strategic approach to lobbying. (Al Arabiya)

News:

A UN inquiry finds that Israel killed at least 44 Palestinians at UN facilities during the Gaza war last year. (AP/New York Times/AFP/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz)

A Palestinian teenager shot by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank dies of his wounds. (Reuters/AP/Ma’an/JTA/Ha’aretz)

PM Hamdallah receives a parliamentary delegation from Germany. (Ma’an)

A new proposal for a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been reportedly put forth by Qatar and Turkey. (Times of Israel)

The Shin Bet says Hamas is training Palestinian students in Malaysia. (Ha’aretz)

A PA employee is reportedly arrested for claiming Arafat was not a martyr. (Times of Israel)

Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. (Ma’an) 

The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee is organizing a march and rally in Tel Aviv to protest the housing shortage and house demolitions in Arab communities. (Ha’aretz/AFP)

The Saudi-led coalition continues to pound Yemen’s Houthis. (AP)

At least 15 people are killed in heavy fighting between Houthi fighters and tribesmen in the oil-producing Marib province in central Yemen. (Reuters)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says ISIS militants have killed at least 2,154 people off the battlefield in Syria since the end of June. (Reuters)

AP looks at the challenges Iraq is facing in dislodging ISIS in Anbar. (AP)

Sec. Kerry says the P5+1 are closer than ever to a deal with Iran. (Reuters/AP)

Speaker Boehner says Republicans would lack the votes to overcome an Obama veto on Iran. (Ha’aretz)

Commentary:

Adnan Abu Amer says Hamas is working to restore ties with Egypt. (Al-Monitor)

Ben Dror-Yemini looks at the young Palestinian citizens of Israel who have chosen to be part of the country. (Ynet)

Hassan Hassan says recent developments in the region have caused serious damage to ISIS's popularity. (The National)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says UN Envoy de Mistura is not capable of imposing a solution on the majority of Syrians. (Al Arabiya) 

The National says Al-Nusra recent gains may change Syria’s reality. (The National)

The Daily Star says Syria needs a Syrian fix. (Daily Star)

Eyad Abu Shakra says Washington may have to pay the price for its miscalculations in the region. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Kai Bird says Iran has yet to pay a penny in compensation for the Marine barracks and Beirut embassy bombings in 1983. (New York Times)

News:

Israel invites bids to construct 77 new homes in two settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, drawing a swift Palestinian condemnation. (Reuters/AFP/PNN/Jerusalem Post/The National)

The US says it will be hard to back Israel at the UN if it steps back from the two-state solution. (Ha’aretz)

Israeli police officers kill two Palestinian men in the occupied territories. (New York Times/Ma’an)

Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat expresses skepticism about peace prospects with the next Israeli government. (Ynet)

Hamas leader Ahmad Yousef says there are "chats" taking place between the group and Israelunder European mediation. (Ma’an/Jerusalem Post)

A report indicates the amount of construction material that enters Gaza for its reconstruction amounts to only 10 percent. (Ma’an)

The National looks at the water crisis in Gaza. (The National)

Israel agrees to armed PA patrols in towns close to Jerusalem. (Times of Israel)

150 Jewish high school students will board the light rail in Jerusalem and converse in Arabic in a show of solidarity. (Times of Israel)

Israel says it launched an airstrike on its border with Syria after spotting militants carrying a bomb in the Golan Heights. (AP/New York Times/Washington Post/JTA/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)

DM Ya’alon says Iran continues to arm Hezbollah. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

The Saudi-led coalition targets Houthis and rebel army units in central Yemen and the capital Sanaa. (Reuters/New York Times/The National)

Yemen is struggling to import food as the Saudi-led coalition navies hold up more ships. (Reuters)

A coalition of Islamist rebels capture an army base in Syria’s Idlib province. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/The National)

Pres. Assad’s hold on power looks shakier than ever as rebels advance in Syria. (Washington Post)

Hundreds of Syrian rebels are approaching the start of US training to fight against ISIS. (Reuters) 

Sec. Kerry and FM Zarif will meet at the opening of a UN conference on the global anti-nuclear weapons treaty. (Reuters/AP)

Former Pres. George W. Bush argues against the lifting of Iran sanctions. (New York Times/Jerusalem Post)

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says attempts by the US congress to stop the BDS movement will further damage the peace process.  (The National)

Elliott Abrams and Uri Sadot look at the major implications for settlement expansion with a new Netanyahu government. (Foreign Affairs)

Uri Savir looks at how Netanyahu uses settlements to block a Palestinian state. (Al-Monitor)

Asmaa al-Ghoul says tensions are continuing to worsen within the Palestinian unity government over the issue of the Gaza employees. (Al-Monitor)

Rami Khouri says the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is stalemated, and the existing policy responses by both sides have been exhausted. (Daily Star)

Talia Sasson says Israel’s High Court is denying justice to Palestinian property owners. (Ha’aretz)

Alex Fishman looks at Israel’s “secret cooperation” with Hamas. (Ynet)

Felice Friedson looks at how Palestinian restrictions are eased with new Israeli permissions. (The Media Line)

Amos Harel says Israel's north is “heating up” and Hezbollah leader Nasrallah will have the “final word.” (Ha’aretz)

Avi Issacharoff says Hezbollah doesn’t want a large-scale conflict with Israel, but does want to deter the IDF from “crossing red lines.” (Times of Israel)

Theodore Karasik looks at the challenges facing “Operation Restoring Hope” in Yemen. (The National)

Mohammed Fahad al-Harthi asks if the US-GCC summit will strengthen ties. (Al Arabiya)

David Rothkopf says the Middle East is “pivoting” to Asia. (Foreign Policy)

Jackson Diehl says the US needs to support Middle East democracy. (Washington Post)

Elliott Abrams says comparing Pres. Sisi to Chilean dictator Pinochet is wrong. (Washington Post)

John Kerry and Ernest Moniz explain how to make sure Iran is a nuclear non-proliferator. (Foreign Policy)

Mohammad Ali Shabani says the West must expand upon progress on nuclear issues with Iran to push for a wider dialogue on regional peace. (New York Times)

Soner Cagaptay, James Jeffrey and Medhi Khalaj say Iran has had expansionist and imperial ambitions for centuries and a nuclear deal will not change that. (New York Times)

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