News:

Pres. Obama says PM Netanyahu's efforts to clarify pre-election statements are not advancing the prospects of a two-state solution. (AP/Washington Post/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Netanyahu will be asked by Pres. Rivlin to to form a new coalition government. (Reuters)

Pres. Abbas meets with a delegation from the Joint List in Ramallah. (Ma’an/JTA/Jerusalem Post)

An Israeli pollster says Netanyahu’s “Arab droves” warning may have been decisive in his victory. (Times of Israel)

Algeria will contribute $52.8 million to the PA's March budget. (Ma’an)

Germany’s parliament is set to vote on recognizing Palestine. (Times of Israel)

PM Hamdallah arrives in Gaza. (PNN)

Israel is reportedly freezing the construction of 1,500 housing units in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa. (JTA/Times of Israel)

The EU condemns Israel's failure to meet its obligations to Palestinians in Area C. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain six Palestinians across the West Bank. (Ma’an)

Jeb Bush says he disagrees with critical comments made by former Sec. Baker on Israel. (JTA)

Amb. Dermer is courting congressional Democrats after discord between the countries’ leaders, but is still working against a nuclear deal with Iran. (New York Times)

Moderate Syrian rebels seize the historic town of Busra Sham from government forces. (Reuters/AP)

Houthis seize a key Yemeni air base and appear poised to capture the southern port of Aden. (Reuters)

Yemen’s FM calls for Arab military intervention against advancing Shiite rebels. (AP)

American officials say Saudi Arabia is moving military equipment near its Yemen border. (The National)

The New York Times looks at the unfolding unrest in Yemen. (New York Times)

FM Zarif says Iran will insist that all sanctions against it are lifted as a condition for a nuclear deal. (Reuters)

In the P5+1 talks, Iran is reportedly seeking to avoid specifics. (New York Times)

Commentary:

Rami Khouri says the US must embrace the Arab Peace Initiative. (Daily Star)

Ghassan Khatib says Israel’s right-wing governments have created a status quo that is comfortable for Israel but brutal for the Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)

Osama Al Sharif says Netanyahu’s victory in the elections was probably a much-needed wake-up call for those who still believed in a two-state solution. (Jordan Times)

Avi Issacharoff says Qatar is trying to broker to a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. (Times of Israel)

Ha’aretz says Netanyahu’s apology to Palestinian citizens of Israel is not enough. (Ha’aretz)

Nahum Barnea says Netanyahu’s apology to Palestinian citizens of Israel was directed at the Obama administration, European governments and Jewish Americans. (Ynet)

Steven Klein explains why Israelis re-elected Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)

Ben Caspit looks at Netanyahu’s post-election amends. (Al-Monitor)

Raphael Ahren says without US cover at the UN, Israel could face a “diplomatic avalanche.” (Times of Israel)

The Washington Post says the US is needed on Iraq’s front lines. (Washington Post)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed profiles Iranian Gen. Soleimani. (Al Arabiya)

The National says the Gulf should keep all options open regarding Yemen. (The National)

Mshari al-Zaydi says Yemen’s crisis poses a problem for the whole world. (Asharq al-Awsat)

David Crist asks if Iran and the US can use the nuclear deal to mend ties and build a new order in the Middle East. ​(Foreign Policy)