Israel nabs Hamas cell accused of deadly shooting ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Matti Friedman - July 20, 2010 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Israel has arrested five Palestinians accused of being members of a Hamas cell responsible for killing an Israeli policeman in the West Bank, the Shin Bet security service said Monday. It said the men, all in their 20s, confessed to killing the policeman near the West Bank town of Hebron on June 14 and handed over three Kalashnikov rifles they used. The arrests were carried out a week after the attack, which wounded two other policemen, but were only made public Monday in a statement released to the media. » Read more

Israel: Rocket defense system ready to go ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Mark Lavie - July 20, 2010 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — A system that can shoot down incoming rockets has passed its last tests and will be ready for deployment in a few months, Israel's Defense Ministry said Monday. If effective, it could have far-reaching strategic implications for Israel's battle against militant groups on its borders. The "Iron Dome" system uses sophisticated radar to track incoming rockets, intercepting and destroying them far from their targets. It is the only anti-rocket system of its kind in the world, according to experts. » Read more

Early release for soldier who killed British activist ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 20, 2010 - 12:00am Bethlehem - Ma'an - An Israeli soldier convicted of shooting dead a British peace activist has been granted an early release from prison, the Israeli press reported Monday. A military committee accepted Taysir Hayb’s appeal, and he will be free in one month, the Israeli news site Ynet reported Monday. Hayb shot Tom Hurndall, who died aged 22, during an incident on Gaza’s southern border. » Read more

Ashton asked to send observers to Jerusalem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency July 20, 2010 - 12:00am Ramallah - Ma’an - EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton held a second meeting Monday with officials in Jerusalem, where dignitaries stressed the centrality of the holy city in Palestinian life and culture. Ashton was in Palestine as part of her second Middle East trip. » Read more

Why Israel is leaning on Egypt's Hosni Mubarak to nudge peace process ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor by Joshua Mitnick - July 20, 2010 - 12:00am With fresh reports about the health of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be feeling a greater sense of urgency to advance peace talks before possible regime change next door. Calling Egypt under Mr. Mubarak's leadership "a main factor in advancing peace and stability in the region," Mr. Netanyahu traveled to Cairo this weekend to meet the man who has been a staple of Middle East politics for more than 30 years. Mubarak also hosted Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and US envoy George Mitchell. » Read more

Israeli group gives young Palestinians their first taste of the beach ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post by Janine Zacharia - July 20, 2010 - 12:00am Mohammed Shawasha has spent his life in a West Bank village just 37 miles from the sea, but he has never been there. So when the opportunity to spend a day on the Mediterranean coast arose for the 12-year-old Palestinian, he jumped at it. From hilltops across the landlocked West Bank, Palestinians can see the sea, but they can't get there because of Israeli restrictions. Entry permits to Israel are hard to come by, reserved primarily for older Palestinians wishing to pray in Jerusalem, married men with children who hold a job in Israel and those with humanitarian needs. » Read more