Israel predicts few casualties from war with Iran ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Harriet Sherwood - April 3, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli security officials have estimated the number of casualties in Israel as a result of a military conflict with Iran would be fewer than 300. An assessment presented to the security cabinet last weekend anticipates three weeks of rocket and missile attacks from Lebanon and Syria, as well as probably Iran and – to a limited extent – Gaza, according to reports in the Israeli media. The projected death toll, although significant in a country with a population of 7.8m, is lower than earlier estimates. » Read more

How Israeli Big Brother became a hotbed of thoughtful debate ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Mia de Graaf - April 2, 2012 - 12:00am In the UK, Big Brother is known for turning fame-hungry contestants – the Nadias, Chantelles and Jade Goodys of this world – into instant celebrities. Though normally no more high-brow, Israel's equivalent has this year achieved a surprising twist, by making a superstar out of "Palestine sympathiser" Saar Szekely. » Read more

Red Cross delivers fuel to Gaza hospitals ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News April 2, 2012 - 12:00am The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has begun distributing emergency fuel supplies to hospitals in the Gaza Strip. The 150,000 litres (33,000 gallons) of diesel would help 13 public hospitals maintain essential health services for the next 10 days, the ICRC said. Immediate action had to be taken to prevent further deterioration of the fuel and electricity crisis, it added. Gaza's only power plant closed eight days ago because of a lack of fuel. » Read more

Palestinian family loses Shepherd Hotel court fight ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters April 2, 2012 - 12:00am The High Court of Justice ruled Monday that a prominent Palestinian family could not claim ownership of a landmark and now derelict building in east Jerusalem - paving the way for a Jewish settlement project. The Husseini family said the Shepherd Hotel, now partially demolished, is a symbol of the Palestinian rights to their land and to east Jerusalem, and criticized the court ruling. The Shepherd Hotel was built in the 1930s and served as the home of Jerusalem grand mufti Haj Amin Husseini, who fought the British and Zionists. » Read more

3 Gaza children burned to death due to energy crisis, Hamas blames Israel ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Saud Abu Ramadan, Emad Drimly - April 3, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement on Monday held Israel responsible for the death of three children from central Gaza Strip, who were burned to death on Sunday night, when a candle ignited their room as they were sleeping amid a severe crisis of electricity and fuel in the coastal enclave. Ismail Haneya, the deposed premier of Hamas rule in the enclave, who participated in the funeral of the three children from the town of Deir el-Ballah, told reporters that Israel, which keeps a tight blockade on the Gaza Strip, is responsible in the first place for the tragedy. » Read more

Hamas: PA detained 79 members in March ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 2, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hamas on Monday accused the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority of detaining 79 members in the West Bank during March. Some 32 former prisoners of Israel were among those detained by PA forces, as well as 14 university students, Hamas said in a statement. Another 50 Hamas affiliates were summoned by PA intelligence services last month, the party added. The Ramallah-based PA also fired a teacher and a doctor over their affiliation to Hamas, the statement said. » Read more

Israeli mayor 'plans new East Jerusalem settlement' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 3, 2012 - 12:00am TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma'an) -- Israel's Jerusalem Mayor plans to establish a new Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem, according to news reports Tuesday. Around 200 new homes are planned for the area, which lies between Abu Dis and Jabal al-Mukkabir, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported. The settlement, referred to as Kidmat Zion, will be built on land purchased by Irving Moskowitz, a Florida businessman and patron of Jewish settlers. » Read more

Netanyahu delays eviction of West Bank settler house ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Dan Williams - April 3, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu overruled the planned eviction on Tuesday of Jewish settlers from a building in an occupied West Bank city that is flashpoint of tensions with Palestinians. Some 20 settlers moved into the Hebron building last Thursday at night, seeking to expand a settlement of some 500 families in the heart of the ancient city. » Read more

Abbas warns of int'l complaint if Israel won't talk ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh, Herb Keinon - April 2, 2012 - 12:00am If Israel is not prepared to return to the negotiating table, the Palestinian Authority will file a complaint with international bodies, PA President Mahmoud Abbas declared Monday. » Read more

Israeli, Palestinian officials hold secret meeting amid stall in peace talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - April 3, 2012 - 12:00am Peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority are at a complete standstill, with relations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reaching a newfound low. And yet, contacts have been held behind the scenes in the last two weeks between officials from both Jerusalem and Ramallah, over the missive Abbas plans to send Netanyahu in the coming days. » Read more