Israel says ready for Hezbollah attack ATFP World Press Roundup Article from United Press International (UPI) April 8, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM, April 8 (UPI) -- Israeli military officers say the country's armed forces are preparing for a mass incursion into Lebanon if war breaks out with Hezbollah again. Based on intelligence gathered by the military, the air force could take out targets such as training bases and rocket launching pads in a matter of days. However, officers say a ground offensive would be necessary due to Hezbollah's underground command posts and camouflaged launching pads. » Read more

World Bank earmarks $55 million for Palestinians ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press April 7, 2012 - 12:00am The World Bank says they've earmarked $55 million for Palestinian development this year. Mariam Sherman, country director for the West Bank and Gaza, said Saturday the money will be used to assist businesses, help graduates and support Palestinian government institutions. But Sherman says for real growth to happen, Israel's system of restrictions on movement of Palestinian people and goods needs to be eased. The World Bank says Israel should also share tax information and make other changes. » Read more

Palestinian accuses Israel Police of beating him, hiding evidence ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Revital Hovel - April 9, 2012 - 12:00am A 26-year-old Palestinian man from Jenin was severely beaten by Israeli police officers in Daliat al-Carmel two weeks ago and dumped at a checkpoint, according to a complaint he filed with the internal affairs unit. Police say they believe the man was in Israel illegally. The internal affairs unit is investigating the man’s allegations, but said it could not divulge details of the investigation. Doctors removed Rami Washahi’s spleen to curtail his abdominal bleeding, and he was hospitalized for four days, Washahi said. » Read more

Ashrawi 'concerned by assaults on free expression' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 9, 2012 - 12:00am RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- Senior PLO official Hanan Ashrawi expressed concern on Sunday about recent assaults on free speech. "Freedom of expression and access to information is enshrined in the basic principles of the Palestinian Basic Law ... it is unacceptable to detain journalists, bloggers or Palestinian activists," the official, who is also head of the PLO Department of Culture and Media, said in a statement. » Read more

Abbas to pursue statehood at UN assembly if no talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency April 9, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday he will ask the UN General Assembly to recognize Palestinian statehood if Israel does not respond to his demands for the resumption of negotiations. After Palestine's inconclusive bid for recognition by the United Nations Security Council in September 2011, officials in recent months revised their opposition to a lesser upgrade with the larger assembly. » Read more

Militants attack Egypt’s gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press April 9, 2012 - 12:00am EL-ARISH, Egypt — Militants on Monday blew up a gas pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula that transports fuel to neighboring Israel and Jordan, a senior Egyptian security official said. The attack was the 14th on the pipeline since last year’s popular uprising that ousted Egypt’s longtime leader Hosni Mubarak. Previous bombings of the pipeline have been blamed on Islamist militants who have stepped up their activity in Sinai, taking advantage of a security vacuum caused by a thin police presence in the post-Mubarak era. » Read more

Hamas Executes 3 Palestinians in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Fares Akram - April 7, 2012 - 12:00am GAZA — The Islamic group Hamas that controls Gaza executed three Palestinians on Saturday, one who was convicted of collaborating with Israel and two others who had been found guilty of murder, according to a statement from the Hamas Interior Ministry. The statement said the three men were hanged at a security site in Gaza City. It did not give any details about their identities. » Read more

Israel Bars German Laureate Grass Over Poem ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Ethan Bronner, Nicholas Kulish - April 8, 2012 - 12:00am JERUSALEM — Israel’s interior minister declared Günter Grass, one of Germany’s best-known authors, unwelcome in Israel on Sunday, barring him from entering the country for a poem that accused Israel of being a threat to world peace. » Read more

Hamas chief vows to kidnap more Israeli soldiers ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press April 7, 2012 - 12:00am DOHA, Qatar — The leader of the Islamist militant group Hamas has vowed to kidnap more Israeli soldiers to pressure the Jewish state to release Palestinian prisoners. The comments from Khaled Mashaal come after the deal Hamas struck last year with Israel to swap an Israeli soldier held by Hamas for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including many jailed for helping carry out bombings. » Read more