News:

The PA says it will not negotiate with Israel past the 9 month deadline. (Ma’an)

Canadian PM Harper announces a $66 million aid program for the PA. (The Jerusalem Post)

Harper declines to publicly criticize Israel on settlements. (The Jerusalem Post)

PM Netanyahu warns Hamas of a harsh Israeli response to any attack. (Ha’aretz)

Israeli human rights report affirms that Israel’s restrictions on Palestinian movement are splitting families. (AFP)

Israel’s Labor Party leader Herzog questions if Netanyahu has the “guts” to make peace with the Palestinians. (AP)

Hamas is taking security measures to preserve the ceasefire with Israel. (Xinhua/Ynet)

Israeli “price tag” vandals slash the tires of 20 vehicles and spray graffiti in the occupied West Bank. (The Jerusalem Post)

Hamas uses cigarette taxes to pay its employees’ salaries. (Al Monitor)

The Syrian opposition will attend the peace talks in Switzerland. (AP).

Iran criticizes UNSG Ban for rescinding its invitation to the Syria talks.  (AP/New York Times)

Russian FM Lavrov also criticizes the withdrawal of Iran’s invitation. (Independent)

A new report shows the systematic torture and killing of about 11,000 detainees by the Assad regime. (Reuters)

Turkey closes its border crossing with Syria due to security reasons. (Xinhua)

Western intelligence suggests that  Pres. Assad has funded and co-operated with al-Qaeda. (The Telegraph)

A car bomb hits a Shi'ite suburb in southern Beirut, killing four people. (AP/New York Times)

The Al-Nusra Front in Lebanon claims responsibility for the Beirut attack. (AFP)

Iraq executes 26 prisoners for terrorism-related charges. (AP/Reuters)

An Egyptian court sets Feb. 16 as the start date for one of the trials of former Pres. Morsi. (AP)

The UAE convicts 30 men accused of setting up an illegal Muslim Brotherhood branch. (AP)

Commentary:

Ha’aretz calls on the Israeli government to stop the covert and illegal funding of settlement outposts. (Ha’aretz)

Gadi Shamni thinks that the American approach to peace talks has failed, and it’s time to look for an alternative. (Ha’aretz)

David Newman says DM Ya’alon’s comment that Sec. Kerry is  “messianic” is ironic since he is an ultimate “messianist” who believes in a “Greater Israel.” (The Jerusalem Post)

J.J. Goldberg says its not just American pressure that’s pushing Netanyahu toward painful compromises, but the will of the Israeli public. (The Jewish Daily Forward)

Amitai Etzioni says resolving Israel’s security issues surrounding the Jordan border should be a priority. (The Jewish Daily Forward)

Faisal Al Yafai says Assad’s offer of a truce in Aleppo opens the door again for international military intervention. (The National)

James Harkin says the West’s approach to Syria is wrong because it relies on an “anti-extremism strategy.” (The Gulf News)

Colum Lynch and John Hudson say hopes for a diplomatic resolution in Syria appear more distant than ever. (Foreign Policy)

Volker Perthes says Russia and Iran should force Assad to accept a cease-fire agreement at the Geneva II talks. (The Daily Star)

Mohammad Jamal says sectarian strife must be checked in the region. (The Gulf News)