The Washington Post reports on latest indications that Israel's evolving strategy regarding the Gaza Strip included continuing electricity and fuel restrictions (2.) Americans For Peace Now presents its weekly translated excerpts from the Israeli press (4.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency examines how Jerusalem's Palestinian population is moving to Jewish neighborhoods in order not to be caught behind the wall Israel is separating occupied East Jerusalem from the West Bank with (6.) In Israel Policy Forum, MJ Rosenberg is critical of Israel's policy of trying to affect Palestinian political change through economically blockading Gaza (7.) The Times (UK) looks at Hamas' refusal to allow the breached Gaza border crossings with Egypt to be turned over to the Palestinian government (9.) A Guardian (UK) comment by Peter Beaumont analyzes how the Gaza border breach has impacted the Mideast political landscape (11.) Arab News (Saudi Arabia) looks at a UN report finding the 57% of Palestinians live in poverty (13.) Haaretz (Israel) reports on presidential candidate Obama's concerns regarding the campaign against him to weaken his support in the American Jewish community (14.) A Yedioth/Ynet News (Israel) opinion by Ben Gurion university lecturer Dror Ze'evi argues for Israel accepting a long-term ceasefire with Hamas (15.)

Reuters reports on Egypt's attempts to begin closing the Gaza border breach and Hamas actions challenging these attempts (1.) The Christian Science Monitor examines how the breaching of the Gaza border into Egypt has resulted in political jockeying over responsibility for Gaza's future (3.) A Boston Globe editorial is critical of the collective punishment of Gaza's population as a counterproductive policy driving the population into the arms of Hamas and discrediting the Palestinian government (4.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (6) and BBC (8) examine the new strategic considerations for Israel as a result of the Gaza situation. The Economist (UK) analyzes the unintended consequences of Israel's Gaza policy to-date (9.) An Independent (UK) opinion by Mary Dejevsky gives an Israeli perspective from the border town of Sderot on the impact of Palestinian militant rocket fire on life there (10.) Haaretz (Israel) looks at a public dispute between Israel's current and former ambassador to the U.S. over how good an Obama presidency would be for Israel (11.) Also in Haaretz, Amos Harel and Avi Issacharaoff analyze how Hamas' breach of the Gaza border was a political outmaneuvering of Israel (13.) Arab News (Saudi Arabia) reviews Israeli press reporting on Hamas' Gaza border breach (15.)

The Los Angeles Times examines how the opening of the Gaza-Egypt border has altered the political and security landscape (2.) A New York Times editorial is critical of all parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for using the civilian population of Gaza as pawns in their political struggle (3.) Reuters looks at how Israel is considering responding to the Gaza border breach (5.) A Baltimore Sun opinion by former Fatah militant and co-founder of Combatants for Peace Bassam Aramin urges an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories if peace based on justice is to be established (6.) The Times (UK) looks at how Hamas planned its breach of the Gaza border wall for months leading up to the action (11.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) editorial cautions of the detrimental effect of the Gaza situation on any prospects for peace and U.S. credibility in the Middle East (12.) A Haaretz (Israel) editorial urges using the Gaza border issue as an opportunity to turn over border crossings to the Palestinian government and international organizations (15.)

The Los Angeles Times reports on the crossing of tens of thousands of Palestinians of the breached Gaza border wall with Egypt in order to seek humanitarian relief (2.) A Middle East Times editorial examines how the recent Bush Mideast visit revealed diminishing U.S. influence among traditional allies (4.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency looks at official Israeli reaction to international pressure regarding the Gaza situation (5.) A Guardian (UK) comment by UNRWA commissioner general Karen Koning AbuZayd is critical of the international community's reaction to the Gaza situation, warning that only further violence and extremism can result from not resolving the issue (7.) BBC (UK) reports from the Israeli border town of Sderot on the impact of continuing Palestinian militant rocket fire on its inhabitants (9.) An Independent (UK) comment by Deborah Orr accuses Hamas of colluding in Israel's collective punishment of Gaza by manipulating the victimhood issue for its own interests (10.) Al-Jazeera (Qatar) examines how the Israel-Palestine issue factors into the Christian evangelical vote in the U.S. presidential primaries (12.) A Haaretz (Israel) editorial raises concern about how the religious Zionist camp in Israel consider themselves outside the authority of the state (14.)

The Associated Press reports on warnings by the Red Cross that Gaza's health and sanitary system is on the verge of total collapse unless Israeli eases its total blockade (2.) Reuters looks at the effect to-date on Gaza's sewage system of the tightening Israeli sanctions (4.) In the American Prospect, Israeli author Gershom Gorenberg urges a debate over what it means to be 'pro-Israel' to assist newly elected public leaders in 2009 in making more constructive decisions on Israel-Palestine (5.) A Boston Globe opinion by H.D.S. Greenway urges President Bush to draw lessons from Israel's Mideast experience on the ineffectiveness in using military force to address political issues (6.) BBC (UK) analyzes the impact of the economic blockade of Gaza on Hamas and divisions within the organization on how to address the issue (7.) The Guardian (UK) looks at how the civilian population of Gaza is paying the price of Israel's policy of stopping militant rocket through a total blockade of the territory (9.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) editorial urges Palestinians to unite in order to better confront their current challenges (10.) Haaretz (Israel) looks at a UN report showing a sic percent increase in the number of Israeli barriers to movement in the occupied West Bank (12.) Also in Haaretz, Avi Isaacharoff analyzes Israeli DM Barak's decision to impose a total blockade on Gaza in response to rocket fire (13.)

A Middle East Times editorial argues that the Bush initiative for Mideast peace is the only game in town despite the many challenges (3.) The Forward identifies the weakness of both the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships as being the main obstacle to the peace accord promised by President Bush by the end of 2008 (5.) The Economist (UK) analyzes Arab reaction to the recent Bush Mideast visit (7.) A Gulf News (UAE) opinion by ATFP president Dr. Ziad Asali urges silent majorities on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to seize their future destiny from extremists (9.) A Haaretz (Israel) opinion by Yoel Marcus is critical of the Yisrael Beiteinu party for leaving the Israeli government coalition (11.) A Jerusalem Post (Israel) opinion by Gershon Baskin lays out in detail what an Israeli-Palestinian permanent status agreement would look like on all the core issues (13.)

The Christian Science Monitor looks at how the situation in Gaza is entrenching Hamas control and hardline positions (1.) The Associated Press assesses whether the promises made to and by President Bush during his Mideast trip will translate into a renewed momentum for peace (4.) In an editorial, the Middle East Times concludes that the Bush Mideast peace push is too little too late (5.) BBC (UK) analyzes the motivations behind the Bush Mideast visit (8.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by Rami Khouri examines a paper by a high-ranking U.S. military figure on the root causes of the terror problem (10.) A Haaretz (Israel) opinion by Amira Hass explains why the granting of Palestinian citizenship to the famous Israelli conductor Daniel Barenboim obscures the fact that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has little control over population or citizenship issues (12.)

The LA Times reports on how renewed Israeli-Palestinian final status negotiations are causing tensions within Israel's governing coalition (2.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency gives an Israeli perspective on what significance the Bush Mideast visit has (4.) A Middle East Times opinion by Maria Appakova gauges the possibility of reaching a Mideast peace deal by the end of 2008, spurred on by President Bush's professed zeal in achieving this goal (6.) A Financial Times (UK) editorial stresses the importance for President Bush's wider Mideast foreign policy agenda in achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace (7.) Der Spiegel (Germany) examines the resonance of the Bush democracy agenda during his current Mideast visit (9.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by UK secretary of state for international development Douglas Alexander, published in collaboration with Common Ground News Service, stresses the importance of the international community's financial and political support for the Palestinians in order to capitalize on the momentum of Annapolis and the Paris donor conference (11.) An Arab News (Saudi Arabia ) editorial is critical of the Bush attempt to rally and Arab coalition against Iran as heavy on threats and light on diplomacy (13.) Haaretz (Israel) reports on clarification regarding U.S. opposition to both settlement 'natural growth' and expansion in East Jerusalem and the West Bank (14.) Also in Haaretz, an opinion by Amir Oren analyzes how Secretary Rice has prepared a team of U.S. officials to push for Israeli actions that yield positive results on the ground (15.)

Reuters looks at the growing success of the slowly redeploying Palestinian police to reestablish law and order in West Bank cities (2.) The Washington Post examines how the issue of illegal Israeli settlement outposts in the West Bank have become the front line in the struggle over withdrawal from occupied land (4.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports on where Israelis are leaning concerning the U.S. presidential election (6.) Americans For Peace Now presents its weekly excerpts from the Israeli press (7.) A Guardian (UK) editorial parses statements made by President Bush during his Israel-Palestine trip to find little substance (9.) The Times (UK) examines how the U.S. drive for Mideast democracy has faltered since it was declared a central theme of American foreign policy three years ago (11.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by Rami Khouri argues that the combination of citizen disenfranchisement and lack of state sovereignty in the Middle East has contributed to the rise in power of Islamists (12.) Asharq Alawsat (pan Arab) reviews official Palestinian reaction across the political spectrum to President Bush's statements about the Palestinian refugee issue during his Israel-Palestine visit (14.) In Haaretz (Israel) Akiva Eldar urges the Israeli government to consider whether any of its military or political actions regarding the Palestinians serve to strengthen or undermine President Abbas before conducting them (15.) Also in Haaretz, an opinion by Uzi Benziman takes the Israeli public to task for not pushing their leadership to adopt a peace agreement with the Palestinians the parameters of which are known to all (17.)

The Washington Post gauges whether statements by President Bush regarding an Israeli-Palestinian settlement represent a shift in U.S. policy (1.) The Associated Press lays out U.S. expectations regarding Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and a peace deal as articulated by President Bush during his visit (3.) The New York Times reports on deep Palestinian public skepticism regarding the Bush visit and its ability to achieve progress (4.) In Israel Policy Forum, MJ Rosenberg stresses the importance of concrete steps on the ground in order to transform Presidential rhetoric on Israel-Palestine to reality (5.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency parses the Bush summary of his Israel-Palestine during his visit for statements of substance regarding negotiations and a final settlement (7.) A San Francisco Chronicle editorial compliments President Bush on the clarity of his statements on Israel-Palestine during his visit and urges him keep up a sustained engagement (8.) The Independent analyzes the tougher-than-usual language employed by President Bush towards both the Israelis and Palestinians during his visit, particularly regarding the Israeli occupation (10.) The Economist (UK) is skeptical that President Bush can realize his two-state vision by the end of his presidency, instead setting a realistic goal of bringing peace closer and making it easier for the next administration to achieve (12.) A Guardian (UK) comment by Jonathan Steele is critical and skeptical of President Bush's ability and desire to effect Israeli-Palestinian peace (14.) Al JAzeera (Qatar) reviews the reaction of press across the Arab world to the Bush Mideast visit (16.) In Haaretz (Israel) Bradley Burston lays out how the Gaza disengagement initiated by former Israeli PM Sharon was meant to greatly diminish Palestinian statehood prospects (18.)