Violence in Gaza flares up while PLO seeks U.S. guarantees to resume Middle East peace talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Saud Abu Ramadan, Emad Drimly - February 21, 2010 - 1:00am Violence between Israel and the Palestinians had on Saturday mounted in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip while a Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) official said the Palestinians seek the U.S. guarantees to resume the stalled Middle East peace process. Palestinian and Israeli security sources said on Saturday that Palestinian gunmen and Israeli soldiers traded fire near Gaza Strip-Israel borders east of the southern town of Khan Younis, wounding eight Palestinians, including two militants and six civilians. » Read more

Hamas rejects Dubai police's call for internal probe ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 21, 2010 - 1:00am Islamic Hamas movement rejected on Sunday what it called "allegations" by Dubai police chief that a Hamas member had leaked information which led to the killing of a senior Hamas commander in Dubai last month. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the "allegations" of Dahi Khalfan Tamim of Dubai police were "mere speculations that lack accuracy." Earlier, Tamim said that information regarding Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh's arrival to Dubai was leaked to Israeli intelligence service Mossad through one of Hamas members. » Read more

Dubai police chief calls for internal Hamas probe: newspaper ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 21, 2010 - 1:00am The chief of Dubai police called on Hamas to launch an internal inquiry into the murder of a top official at a Dubai hotel last month, an English newspaper of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported Sunday. A Hamas member played a significant role in the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a senior commander of Hamas military wing the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, Dahi Khalfan Tamim was quoted as saying by Gulf News. The Hamas man leaked information on al-Mabhouh's whereabouts to suspected assassins, he said. » Read more

Palestinian PM urges Washington's pressure on Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua February 22, 2010 - 1:00am Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Sunday called on the United States to oblige Israel to take steps to pave the way for resuming stalled peace talks. Washington should take "tangible political movement" to stop the Israeli settlement, raids in the Palestinian-controlled areas and restrictions on the movement of goods and individuals, Fayyad said. Fayyad made his remarks at the reception of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew at his office in Ramallah. » Read more

UK offers help to Israelis linked to Dubai killing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Aron Heller - February 21, 2010 - 1:00am The British Embassy in Israel said Sunday it is giving new passports to six British nationals whose identities were stolen by the suspects in the slaying of a top Hamas operative in Dubai — a first step toward clearing their names and returning their lives to normal. The six Britons — and a seventh man whose name appeared on a German passport used by the alleged hit squad — have had their lives thrown into turmoil by the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh last month. The seven, all dual citizens, have expressed anger and confusion and say they were victims of identity theft. » Read more

UK offers help to Israelis linked to Dubai killing ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Aron Heller - February 21, 2010 - 1:00am The British Embassy in Israel said Sunday it is giving new passports to six British nationals whose identities were stolen by the suspects in the slaying of a top Hamas operative in Dubai — a first step toward clearing their names and returning their lives to normal. The six Britons — and a seventh man whose name appeared on a German passport used by the alleged hit squad — have had their lives thrown into turmoil by the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh last month. The seven, all dual citizens, have expressed anger and confusion and say they were victims of identity theft. » Read more

EU condemns Dubai killing and passports theft ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Luke Baker - February 22, 2010 - 1:00am European Union foreign ministers condemned on Monday the use of forged European passports by assassins who killed a Palestinian militant in Dubai, but made no direct reference to Israel. Diplomatic sources said earlier on Monday that the statement was intended to censure Israel over its alleged involvement in the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh last month. Israel has declined to confirm or deny any involvement. » Read more

Hamas to Dubai police: Prove collaborator claim ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 22, 2010 - 1:00am Hamas said on Monday that Dubai Chief of Police Dahi Khalfan Tamim had yet to provide evidence that a collaborator from within the movement had supplied Mossad with information on Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh, who was murdered in his Dubai hotel room in January. "Who is this person he speaks of, why haven't they disclosed his name and why wasn't he arrested like the two other Palestinians?" party sources said. » Read more

Clashes reported in Hebron over Israeli heritage decision ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency February 22, 2010 - 1:00am Confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli forces were reported in Hebron on Monday, as public figures declare a general strike across the city, amidst growing anger at the Israeli cabinet's decision to include two religious sites in the occupied West Bank, including Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque. Protesters in the southern part of the city set tires alight, while in the city center, an Israeli military outpost at the entrance of Ash-Shuhada' street, closed off to Palestinians, was pelted with stones. According to locals, Israeli soldiers used stun grenades against demonstrators. » Read more