Optimism reigns in most notorious refugee camp ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star by Mirella Hodeib, Mohammed Zaatari - June 4, 2012 - 12:00am A peculiar, indiscernible smell reigns in the Middle East’s most notorious Palestinian refugee camp: the odor of deep sorrow mixed with devastating poverty. But the residents of Ain al-Hilweh are known for a rare kind of optimism and a smile that never abandons their faces. Wearing the typical Palestinian outfit, a linen abaya and the legendary keffiyeh on the head, Hajj Abu Mahmoud laments the camp’s deplorable situation, which he blames on the dominant factions. “The situation in Lebanon now is no better,” he adds. » Read more

Meshaal's U-turn a setback for Hamas hardliners critical of his reforms ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National by Hugh Naylor - June 4, 2012 - 12:00am Khaled Meshaal is standing for re-election to lead Hamas four months after announcing he would step down. The decision is a setback for hardliners in the Islamist movement who have criticised Mr Meshaal's recent reforms, which include dismantling Hamas's headquarters in Damascus, reconciling with its Palestinian rival Fatah and tentatively embracing unarmed struggle against Israel. Hamas' senior leadership refused to accept Mr Meshaal's decision in January not to seek another term as the group's Political Bureau head, sources say. » Read more

IDF investigation finds settler youth tied up, beat injured Palestinian ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) June 3, 2012 - 12:00am Jewish youth from the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar tied up and beat a Palestinian man shot by the settlement's emergency response team, an Israeli military investigation found.  The weapons of the emergency response team were confiscated by the military after the incident, according to reports. » Read more

Dolphin subs equipped with nuclear weapons ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ronen Bergman - June 3, 2012 - 12:00am An in-depth report in German magazine Der Spiegel suggests that Israel's newly acquired Dolphin-class submarines will have extensive nuclear capabilities. According to a Sunday report in Yedioth Ahronoth, the German-made U-boats – six of which have been purchased by the Israel Navy – will be equipped with Popeye missiles, which can carry nuclear warheads. » Read more

The old man and the 'strip and swim' procedure in Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amira Hass - June 4, 2012 - 12:00am "Take off your clothes," ordered the soldier over his megaphone. The old man and his son removed their clothing. "Get into the water," the soldier continued shouting into the megaphone. The son, 18, entered the water from the fishing skiff and swam over to the Israeli navy gunboat.

Arab states pledge $100 million per month to PA ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 3, 2012 - 12:00am Arab states on Saturday pledged to provide the Palestinian Authority with $100 million each month as a back-up if Israel withholds tax revenues, official PA media said. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Follow-up Committee for the Arab Peace Initiative in the Qatari capital on Saturday, PLO official Saeb Erekat told PA news agency Wafa. » Read more

Fayyad meets South Africa envoy, applauds settler goods labeling ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 3, 2012 - 12:00am PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Sunday applauded South Africa's move to label settlement goods, in a meeting with the country's representative in Ramallah, official media said. Fayyad told the head of the South African representative office to the Palestinian Authority, N W Makalima, that he hoped other countries would follow South Africa's example, PA news agency Wafa reported. "We hope this step will become international consensus both at popular and official levels," he said. » Read more

Medics: Man injured in Gaza airstrike ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 4, 2012 - 12:00am Israeli forces launched renewed airstrikes on the Gaza Strip overnight Sunday, injuring one person, medics said. A dairy factory in a Gaza City neighborhood was hit in the third day of airstrikes on the coastal enclave. One man sustained moderate wounds, medics said. Another airstrike targeted an open area east of Gaza City, witnesses said. No injuries were reported. » Read more

Israel to jail illegal migrants for up to 3 years ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Allyn Fisher-Ilan - June 3, 2012 - 12:00am Israel may jail illegal immigrants for up to three years under a law put into effect on Sunday, an Interior Ministry official said, a measure aimed at stemming the flow of Africans entering Israel across the porous desert border with Egypt. "The law takes effect from today," said Interior Ministry spokeswoman Sabine Haddad. The controversial law was passed by parliament in January and denounced at the time by liberal politicians and human rights activists. » Read more

US: Israel "supportive" on future Iran sanctions ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press by Dan Williams - June 4, 2012 - 12:00am The United States is conferring with Israel about new sanctions planned against Iran should international negotiations this month fail to curb the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme, a U.S. official said on Monday. The comment offered a strong hint that Washington is continuing to apply the brakes on any plan by Israel to attack Iranian nuclear facilities preemptively. » Read more