NEWS:

The first round of new Israeli-Palestinian negotiations ends in Washington in a somber mood. (Ha'aretz)

As an adjunct to the talks, US Gen. John Allen is reportedly already on the ground working on security-related issues. (Jerusalem Post/UPI)

Sec. Kerry reportedly tells members of Congress Israel is likely to retain 85% of settlement blocs in any agreement. (PNN)

EU foreign policy chief Ashton says a peace agreement is possible. (AFP)

Pres. Peres says there is no alternative to peace. (AFP)

Many analysts and ordinary people are deeply pessimistic about the prospects for success in the new negotiations. (AFP/BBC/The National)

There seems little enthusiasm or expectations for the talks in Ramallah. (Times of Israel)

PM Netanyahu may be seeking to buy time in a troubled Middle East through the negotiations. (Reuters)

Israel is justifying its planned eviction of 1,300 Palestinians in the West Bank to save time and money for occupation forces. (Ha'aretz)

Iran is strengthening its links with Islamic Jihad in Gaza. (New York Times/Los Angeles Times)

The fuel crisis in Gaza is intensifying. (YNet/The Media Line)

Gaza youths are seeking to improve their lives by establishing various clubs. (Al Monitor)

Hamas says it has documents proving that Fatah has been engaged in an "incitement" campaign against them in Egypt. (Ma'an)

The PA religious affairs minister calls for the people of Gaza to rise up against Hamas rule. (UPI)

The PA calls for an investigation into comments by Israeli Economy Minister Bennett that he "killed a lot of Arabs in my life." (Ma'an)

An Israeli military legal advisor justifies the arrest of a five-year-old Palestinian boy. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli Foreign Ministry officials end a four-month-long strike. (Xinhua)

American officials say additional Israeli strikes on Syria are likely because some targeted missiles remain intact. (New York Times)

A Jewish Israeli man is indicted on charges of spying for Iran. (YNet/Jerusalem Post)

Palestinians increasingly seek employment in the high-tech industry. (Christian Science Monitor)

Netanyahu may nix a lucrative Israeli-European deal over recent EU guidelines about Israel's occupation. (Jerusalem Post)

Israelis and Palestinians are seeking cooperation in food trucks. (Ha'aretz)

Debra Kamin profiles a Brooklyn-born weapons instructor who is training settlers to use weapons. (Foreign Policy)

COMMENTARY:

David Ignatius says Kerry may have trapped the sides into needing to make a deal. (Washington Post)

Raphael Ahren says Netanyahu will now have to actually start negotiating about hitherto taboo subjects like Jerusalem. (Times of Israel)

Orly Azoulay says Pres. Obama may be keeping a distance now, but at some point he will have to engage the negotiations directly if they are to succeed. (YNet)

The Daily Star says Obama's hands-off attitude may reflect his own skepticism about the prospects for success. (The Daily Star)

Andrew Hammond says Obama might be looking for a long-term legacy in Middle East peace. (Gulf News

Michael Young questions Obama's ability to succeed in any major foreign policy endeavor, including Middle East peace. (The Daily Star)

Ron Kampeas says Middle East turmoil and pessimism about the future are driving Kerry's urgency on peace. (JTA)

J.J. Goldberg tries to read the body language of Israeli and Palestinian negotiators. (The Forward)

The National asks if Israel is willing to listen to friendly advice from new US Special Envoy  Indyk. (The National)

Bloomberg says the new negotiations are fine, but they shouldn't be branded as the discredited "peace process." (Bloomberg)

Aaron David Miller outlines the steps Kerry must take for talks to succeed. (Politico)

Jeffrey Goldberg says he doesn't believe a final status agreement is possible and hopes a "Plan B," such as an interim agreement, is on the cards. (Bloomberg)

Jonathan Cook says if peace talks fail they will intensify the crisis facing Palestinians. (The National)

Daniel Nisman says a weakened Hamas can now be pressured into choosing between moderating or collapsing altogether. (Christian Science Monitor)

Ari Shavit says, for the talks to succeed, US officials must show pragmatism and creativity. (Ha'aretz)

Natasha Gill says Israelis need to accept that Palestinians will never embrace the Zionist historical narrative. (Ha'aretz)

Gershon Baskin says negotiations must be explicit and terms clearly understood by both sides. (Jerusalem Post)

Oved Yehezkel says a referendum is no substitute for leadership on peace. (Ha'aretz)

Stephen Walt says real Middle East peace requires magnanimity from both sides, especially Israel. (Foreign Policy)

Akiva Eldar says Netanyahu might have rejoined negotiations mainly to court American support regarding Iran. (Al Monitor)

Ha'aretz says the most dangerous racism in Israel is the unnoticed discrimination against Arabs built into daily life. (Ha'aretz)

Jeremy Harding says life under occupation makes even book festivals difficult for Palestinians. (The Guardian)

Shlomi Eldar says now that Israel isn't seen as directly responsible for the latest crisis in Gaza, few care about it. (Al Monitor)