News:
The Palestinian [1] death toll [2] in Gaza [3] rises [4] to over 600 [5]. (Reuters/AP/Ma’an/PNN/Ha’
Israel pounds more than 70 targets across Gaza [6] despite international peace efforts [7]. (Reuters/AP) An Israeli soldier [8] is missing [9] following [10] a deadly battle [11] in [12] Gaza [13]. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/Washington Post/Ma’an/Ha’aretz) Two Israeli soldiers [14] are killed in Gaza raising the number of troops killed to 27 [15]. (AFP/JTA) The UN says Palestinian civilians in Gaza [16] have no place to hide [17] from Israel's military offensive andchildren are paying the heaviest price. [18] (Reuters/AFP/The National) UNSG Ban arrives in Israel [19]and will meet with PM Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas. (Ha’aretz) Sec. Kerry [20] begins a diplomatic push [21]to secure a cease-fire. (Reuters/Washington Post) FM Shukri [22] raises the possibility of restarting stalled peace talks [23]. (AP/Ynet) Hamas reaffirms its conditions [24] to accept a ceasefire. (PNN) Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni says there is no real option for a ceasefire now [25]. (Jerusalem Post) A US intelligence officer reportedly claims Hamas has many more tunnels than Israel says [26]. (Jerusalem Post) An Israeli shoots a Palestinian man [27] in the occupied West Bank. (AFP) Palestinian citizens of Israel [28] clash [29] with Israeli police [30]. (AFP/JTA/Times of Israel) Senior Hamas officials are facing criticism inside and outside of Gaza [31] for enjoying a comfortable life while Palestinians in Gaza suffer. (Ynet) Anti-Arab sentiments in Israel show no signs of abating [32]. (The National) The State Department [33] will send $47 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza [34]. (AP/JTA) The US advises Americans [35] to put off travel to Israel and the occupied West Bank [36]. (New York Times/JTA) Israel’s Gaza offensive is setting off protests all across Europe [37]. (New York Times) Germany, France and Italy condemn the rise in anti-Semitic protests [38] and violence over the conflict in Gaza. (Washington Post) Turkey announces a three day period of national mourning [39] in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. (AP) IS’s reportedly march on Baghdad may no longer be unrealistic bravado [40]. (Reuters) Yemen’s Al-Qaeda seeks to set up an “emirate” in the east [41]. (Reuters) Commentary: David Ignatius [42] says Israel should encourage what the Palestinians say they want. (Washington Post) Akiva Eldar [43] says “Operation Protective Edge” continues the cycle of violence between Israel and Palestinians. (Al-Monitor) Michael Oren [44] says Gaza needs to be demilitarized. (Los Angeles Times) Michael Herzog [45] says Israel's current ground operation does not aim to destroy Hamas. (Foreign Policy) Asmaa al-Ghoul [46] says fleeing Palestinian civilians became targets in the Shajaiya neighborhood. (Al-Monitor) Mira Awad [47] says she will try to be a bridge to togetherness in Israel. (Ha’aretz) J.J. Goldberg [48]says, as the death toll rises in Gaza, so will pressure on Israel. (Jewish Daily Forward) Abdullah Erakat [49] says Palestinians in Gaza are paying a heavy price for Hamas’ ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. (The Media Line) Khairallah Khairallah [50] asks who is Hamas fighting for. (Al Arabiya) Abdallah Schleifer [51] says Pres. Sisi can save Palestinian lives. (Al Arabiya) Hassan Barari [52] says, given changing Arab politics, Hamas is in no position to turn to Egypt for respite. (Jordan Times) Steven Cook [53] says Egypt cannot be a mediator between Israel and Palestinians. (Foreign Policy) Tariq Alhomayed [54] says today everyone is convinced the Middle East can expect nothing from the US. (Asharq al-Awsat) The Daily Star [55] says IS is eradicating a civilization. (Daily Star) Faisal Al Yafai [56] says Iraq’s obsession with King Faisal II reflects its hunger for a lost era. (The National) Saad Salloum [57] asks if Iraqi Blacks will ever win justice. (New York Times)