NEWS:

The UN accuses Israel of torturing Palestinian children and using them as human shields. (Reuters)

PM Netanyahu says the EU should join the US in pushing for new Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. (AP)

The PA says it will redefine its relations with Israel if American-led peace efforts fail. (Xinhua)

Pres. Abbas' spokesman says he faces mounting internal pressure to join more multilateral agencies. (Xinhua)

The PA signs an agreement with the UNDP to improve infrastructure in "Area C" and occupied East Jerusalem. (PNN)

A group of young Palestinians is launching their own initiative to promote statehood and national development. (The Media Line)

Former Mossad chief Dagan says restartingtalks with Palestinians is a necessity and Israel has a unique opportunity to form new alliances. (Ha'aretz)

Finance Minister Lapid issues a rare criticism of his ally, Economy and Trade Minister Bennet over the two-state solution. (Jerusalem Post)

Abbas meets with EU foreign policy chief Ashton. (Xinhua)

Experts say Israel must define its policy for dealing with anti-Palestinian "price tag" violence by Jewish extremists. (AFP)

Leaders of major Jewish-American organizations are increasingly critical of anti-peace statements by Israeli officials. (Ha'aretz)

Statistics show 31% of Palestinians in the occupied territories live below the poverty line. (Ma'an)

Palestinians step up their campaign for Mohammed Assaf in the final stages of this year's Arab Idol TV singing contest. (Reuters)

Hamas issues another death sentence against a Palestinian for collaborating with Israel. (Xinhua)

Hamas is trying to persuade Western countries to remove it from lists of terrorist organizations. (Xinhua)

Hamas finds its political and financialties with Iran under heavy strain because of the war in Syria. (Reuters)

Iran cuts funding for Hamas cultural programs in Gaza. (Al Monitor)

Hamas says PM Erdogan is still planning to visit Gaza at some point. (Ma'an)

Islamic Jihad claims Hamas and Fatah are not doing much for national reconciliation. (Xinhua)

The Israeli Foreign Ministry fails to convince Google to remove the category "Palestine" from its products. (Ha'aretz)

Some Israelis are arguing that its nuclear arsenal is a threat to its own security. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli settlers stone Palestinian cars near Nablus. (WAFA)

Palestinian tobacco farmers face numerous problems, including a crackdown on the "black economy." (Reuters)

Hamas police are cracking down on women enjoying themselves at Gaza beaches, with numerous restrictions. (Al Monitor)

COMMENTARY:

Rajab Abu Seryya says Salam Fayyad is a huge Palestinian national asset who is loved by the people and will continue to play major role. (Al Ayam, translated by ATFP)

ATFP says it is alarmed by "price tag" violence against Palestinians and welcomes Israeli and Jewish American condemnation of the attacks. (ATFP)

Mitch Ginsberg says, when it comes to some "price tag" attacks, Israeli security forces "are being outwitted by a bunch of 12-year-olds." (Times of Israel)

Nir Hasson says Israel's decision not to classify "price tag" attacks as "terrorism" withholds state support and compensation from its Palestinian victims. (Ha'aretz)

ATFP expresses pride in Mohammed Assaf, the singing phenomenon from the Arab Idol TV show, and urges its friends and supporters to vote for him in the final round. (ATFP)

Ha'aretz says Israelis who believe in democracy must fight government policies of discrimination and exclusion against Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)

Carlo Strenger says Netanyahu doesn't have what it takes to make the bold moves needed for peace. (Ha'aretz)

Gershon Baskin says Israel can't have it both ways: either it can be Jewish and democratic or it can keep the occupied territories. (Jerusalem Post)

Alex Fishman says any Israelis celebrating Sec. Kerry's "failure" on Middle East peace are reacting too soon. (YNet)

George Hishmeh says the US is going to have to get tough with Israel if it expects any cooperation on peace. (Gulf News)

Danielle Spiegel Feld says if Israel doesn't help move the peace process forward, it will make it easier for Palestinians to go back to the UN. (Jerusalem Post)

Ninette Kelley says the massive influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon is destabilizing the region. (New York Times)

David Pollock and Michael Eisenstadt explain what they think the US gains from its alliance with Israel. (JTA)

Haytham Mouzahem says Hezbollah would like to repair relations with Hamas despite the war in Syria. (Al Monitor)