An opinion poll published in Al-Ghad Daily, and translated by ATFP, shows an increase in the popularity of Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah party among Palestinians (1). Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak vows to continue military strikes against Gaza, despite the truce that has been holding tenuously for the past month (4). Jordan renews their talks with Hamas, after a two year freeze (5). Tensions continue to increase between Hamas and Fatah as both sides apply public pressure on the other (7) (8).