NEWS:

Israeli and Palestinian police may begin performing joint patrols in areas of the occupied West Bank. (Washington Post)

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are divided on what the US role in their talks should be. (Xinhua/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

The PLO threatens to go to international bodies if Israel's settlement activities continue. (AFP/YNet)

Palestinian researchers say Israel is strengthening Bethlehem settlements. (Ma'an)

Analysts say Hamas' crackdown on a youth group demanding its ouster shows signs of panic. (Los Angeles Times)

Israeli extremists reportedly threaten PM Netanyahu with the fate of the late PM Rabin. (Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

A senior Israeli official says his government believes Syria has used chemical weapons in that country's conflict. (AP/Reuters)

Egypt accuses Hamas of harboring Sinai terrorists. (Times of Israel)

Tensions between Hamas and Islamic Jihad reignite after a clash at a disputed mosque in Gaza. (Al Monitor)

Sec. Hagel confers with his Israeli counterpart Ya'alon on Middle East security matters. (Xinhua)

Jordan and Israel are negotiating a water-sharing deal. (Xinhua)

An Israeli court has granted an East Jerusalem widow a last-minute reprieve from deportation. (Ha'aretz)

Dozens rally in Gaza against the Israeli blockade. (Xinhua)

A right-wing Israeli politician running forJerusalem's City Council wants Arabs excluded from public parks. (Ha'aretz)

Hamas is reportedly preparing to execute a boy arrested at age 14. (The Media Line)

A Palestinian journalist is attacked by masked men in Gaza. (Ma'an)

Imports from Israel are lowering tomato prices in the occupied West Bank. (Ma'an)

A new Palestinian film will premiere at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival. (Ma'an)

The Lebanese government says it wants to register unlicensed Palestinian organizations. (The Daily Star)

COMMENTARY:

Khalil Shikaki and Steven Cohen say Palestinian public opinion is one reason for optimism on peace. (Christian Science Monitor)

Douglas Bloomfield asks why, if it is serious about peace, Israel keeps announcing ever more settlements. (Jerusalem Post)

Dan Sagir suggests measures to strengthen peace talks. (Ha'aretz)

Amiel Ungar says Israelis have good reason to be skeptical about peace. (Ha'aretz)

Akiva Eldar says pro-peace Israelis need to make the connection between peace and the Iran issue. (Al Monitor)

Ilene Prusher looks of the dilemma over how to compromise over Jerusalem. (Ha'aretz)

Aaron Magid asks how the negotiations will affect Netanyahu's cabinet. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Shmuel Rosner says Israelis can't decide whether the 1993 Oslo agreements were a mistake or not. (Al Monitor)

The CSM interviews a released Palestinian prisoner, Khaled Asakreh, says he has "completely changed." (Christian Science Monitor)

Barak Ravid says Israel's national security advisor is a strange choice for the post. (Ha'aretz)

Noah Beck looks at intensifying Israeli-Indian strategic ties. (Jerusalem Post)

Sam Gilbert looks at a "heartbreaking" Palestinian stuffed animal zoo in the occupied West Bank. (Vice)