November 20th

Israel prefers diplomacy solution: Netanyahu ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua (Analysis) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said he preferred a diplomacy solution to end the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza Strip. » Read more

Strategic Overreach ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy by Jonathan Spyer - (Opinion) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — The current conflict between Hamas and Israel is the result of the Palestinian Islamist movement overplaying its hand in an attempt to rewrite the rules of engagement between itself and Israel. Hamas's miscalculation of the balance of forces between itself and Israel has now brought the Israel Defense Forces to the brink of a renewed ground operation in the Gaza Strip. If this is to be avoided, much depends on Western pressure on Hamas's allies, above all Egypt, so that they in turn may press the movement to accept a renewed ceasefire. » Read more

Arab League delegation arrives in Gaza for solidarity visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua (Analysis) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am   A delegation of regional foreign ministers arrived in the Gaza Strip for a solidarity visit Tuesday, as Israeli aerial offensive enters its seventh day. Nabil Al-Arabi, chief of the Arab League (AL), headed the delegation, which comprised 13 Arab foreign ministers and their Turkish counterpart. » Read more

Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Hebron clashes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency (Analysis) November 19, 2012 - 1:00am A 22-year-old man was shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Hebron on Monday, the second Palestinian casualty of West Bank protests in support of Gaza. » Read more

Gunmen kill six alleged collaborators in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters (Analysis) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am    Palestinian gunmen shot dead six alleged collaborators in the Gaza Strip who "were caught red-handed", according to a security source quoted by the Hamas Aqsa radio on Tuesday. » Read more

Lost in Ramallah ATFP World Press Roundup Article from NOW Lebanon by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am Who can fail to weep for the long-suffering people of Gaza, who again find themselves under Israeli attack? Over 100 have already been killed, at least half civilians and many children. Spare a thought, too, for Israelis with legitimate concerns they might be among the extremely unfortunate few to be struck by an unguided rocket from Gaza not intercepted by "Iron Dome." » Read more

Talk Like An Egyptian ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) November 19, 2012 - 1:00am As the conflict between Israel and militants in Gaza drags on, there are growing signs both sides need to look for a face-saving way out. The best solution for almost all concerned would probably be a cease-fire brokered by, or credited to, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, which could secure many of the most important aims of the main parties. Both Israel and Hamas have their reasons for wanting to extricate themselves sooner rather than later from the current conflagration. » Read more

Israeli offensive in Gaza was years in the making ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Josef Federman - (Analysis) November 19, 2012 - 1:00am   With little notice, Israel has launched a blistering air offensive against the Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas militant group. Here's a look at why the violence erupted, the goals of the warring sides and how it may end: » Read more

Egypt: Israel's Gaza offensive to end Tuesday ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press (Analysis) November 20, 2012 - 1:00am   Egypt's president predicted Tuesday that Israel's nearly weeklong offensive in the Gaza Strip would end within hours, and Israel's prime minister said his country would be a "willing partner" to a cease-fire with Hamas aimed at ending relentless Israeli airstrikes and Palestinian rocket attacks. » Read more

Clinton Visits in Effort to Defuse Gaza Conflict; Egypt Hints at Truce ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Isabel Kershner - November 20, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM — Diplomatic efforts accelerated Tuesday to end the deadly confrontation between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, as the United States sent Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to the Middle East and Egypt’s president and his senior aides expressed confidence that a cease-fire was close. » Read more