Cease-fire

Gaza Lockdown

Despite Israel's three-week offensive in Gaza, little has changed. Fewer Kassams are hitting Israel, but this might only be another temporary reprieve.

At the same time, inside Gaza food is scarce. Because the crossings are closed, the food that makes it in comes through illegal tunnels, and is priced accordingly-much higher than usual. Hamas' control of Gaza is as strong as ever and Palestinian factions remain bitterly divided.

What was said about Hamas in Israel's Cabinet Meeting

In Yediot Acharonoth (translated from the Hebrew) today, Nahum Barnea discusses an argument that erupted in a cabinet meeting between Ehud Olmert, Tzipi Livni, and Ehud Barak on the Israeli-Hamas cease-fire talks brokered by Egypt. That argument, while it screams political rivalry, also presents the greater debate over making political deals with ones enemies.

Nahum Barnea:

Gaza Fire: Israeli analysis of war's outcome, "we're screwed."

"Unfortunately, we're back to the starting point," Shaar Hanegev Council Chairman Alon Schuster, told Yediot Acharonoth, after a grad rocket fell in a courtyard of the synagogue yesterday in Netivot.

Israel resumed air attacks on Gaza, targeting and assassinating three members of the Islamic Jihad and smuggling tunnels on the border.

Yediot Acharonoth:

Time For Plan B

The new Obama administration has already found that its ability to inspire optimism at home and abroad is colliding with bitter realities in the Middle East. Honeymoon feelings cannot overcome the growing realization that the international effort to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has come to a dead end. The problem is not the solution itself-it still holds some attraction for many of those involved-but the realities on the ground and the utter collapse of a diplomatic process that ignored those realities.

The Morning Beat - March 2

Secretary of State Clinton at the International Donor's Conference for Palestinian Aid

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Middle East Special Envoy both attended the international donor's conference for aid to the Palestinians today.

Clinton announced a U.S. pledge of over $900 million for the Palestinians overall and added that safeguards were in place to ensure no funds went to Hamas.

The Morning Beat - February 25

No Cease-fire on the Gaza border

There has been no progress reported on cease-fire talks or efforts to release Gilad Shalit. Instead, two rockets hit southern Israel today (no reports of injury or damage) and Israel's Air Force bombed smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.

The Morning Beat - February 24

Shalit release, cease-fire prospects

The Morning Beat - February 23

Forming Israel's next government

Binyamin Netanyahu, tasked with forming a government coalition, has not succeeded to strike a deal with either Tzipi Livni or Ehud Barak. He is due to hold a second meeting with Livni, but she so far holds that the chances of her joining a coalition are slim.

Cease-fire stalled because of political feud?

The Morning Beat - February 20

Israels' Next Prime Minister, Again: Benyamin Netanyahu