Hamas battles jihadis in Gaza

Hamas security forces in Rafah battled armed militants of the Jund Ansar Allah (“Warriors of God”), who had earlier in the day declared the Gaza Strip an “Islamic emirate.”

Israeli Defense Forces escalate pressure on Bil’in village

The Israeli Defense Forces again raided the West Bank village of Bil’in, arresting seven Palestinians and one US solidarity activist. Since June, 25 village residents have been detained.

Israeli Defense Forces launch criminal probes into Gaza campaign

The IDF is conducting criminal investigations into “misconduct” by their soldiers during the Gaza Strip offensive. Israel has already rejected international reports on abuses in the Gaza campaign.

Hitler-Mufti confab political football in battle for Jerusalem

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has ordered embassies to use a photo of Hitler’s 1941 meeting with the Mufti of Jerusalem to counter criticism over a Jerusalem settlement project.

Israel high court orders stronger penalty in prisoner abuse case

The Israeli Supreme Court ordered the IDF to refile indictments on more serious charges against a soldier and an officer accused of shooting a blindfolded prisoner with a rubber bullet.

Amnesty International accuses Israel of war crimes in Gaza

Amnesty International accused Israeli forces of war crimes, saying they used children as human shields and conducted wanton attacks on civilians during their offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas to accept Israeli state?

Meeting with ex-President Jimmy Carter in Gaza City, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said his organization would be “prepared to accept a state in the territories occupied by Israel in 1967.”

Israel cracks down on Hebron protests; Clinton denies secret deal on settlements

Israeli soldiers shut down a protest in Hebron, declaring a “Closed Military Zone,” as Hillary Clinton denied Israeli claims of a secret deal with Israel allowing settlement expansion.

Israeli cabinet rejects loyalty oath proposal

The legislative committee of the Israeli cabinet rejected a bill that would make a loyalty oath to a “Jewish, Zionist and democratic” Israel a prerequisite to the issuance of a national ID card.

Netanyahu intransigent as Israel celebrates 1967 Jerusalem annexation

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed at a ceremony marking the annexation of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War that the city would “forever” remain Israel’s capital.

West Bank: settlers rebuilding “dismantled” outpost

Settlers immediately began rebuilding a small Jewish outpost in the West Bank hours after Israeli forces “dismantled” it in an evident gesture to President Obama.

Holocaust museum opens in Palestinian village on frontline of anti-wall struggle

The village of Na’alin, which symbolizes struggle against Israel’s West Bank wall, has opened a Holocaust museum, which sponsors hope can help foster understanding and peace.