NEWS:

Israel announces 900 more settlement units in and around occupied East Jerusalem. (Al Jazeera)

Israel's new settlement announcements seem to been based on domestic political calculations, butcreate a dark mood for renewed negotiations. (New York Times/Reuters)

The US says it is "concerned" about the new "illegitimate" settlement building plans, and the EU says they may make peace "impossible." (Xinhua/AFP)

Despite the dispute over settlements, Sec. Kerry says he is still optimistic about peace talks andurges Palestinians not to overreact. (AP/AFP)

Kerry says he was "not surprised" by Israel's settlement expansion announcements. (Times of Israel)

Kerry reportedly warns PM Netanyahu of a "delegitimization campaign on steroids" if talks fail. (Jerusalem Post)

Pres. Abbas says Palestinians are still committed to peace with Israel through negotiations. (Xinhua/Asharq Al-Awsat)

Hamas says Abbas is "not authorized" to negotiate with Israel and that talks are futile. (Xinhua/AFP)

A new poll suggests Palestinian youths are evenly divided about the new talks and not particularly optimistic. (Xinhua/Times of Israel)

Israeli missile defense systems intercept rockets fired from the Sinai Peninsula. (New York Times/AP/Reuters)

A scheduled Israeli release of Palestinian prisoners is still on track after a court ruling, though no date is yet set. (Reuters/Ha'aretz/Ma'an)

Israeli pain is mixed with Palestinian joy regarding upcoming prisoner releases. (AP/Xinhua)

Palestinians report another Palestinian refugee is killed in Syria, bringing the estimated total to 1,472. (Ma'an/PNN)

Palestinians say Israeli settlers burn land and attack Palestinians near Nablus. (PNN)

A new book outlines the ideology of the extremist settler movement. (Ha'aretz)

Israel and Egypt are demonstrating ever-stronger security coordination. (The Media Line)

Egypt's new government has greatly increased border restrictions with Gaza. (Reuters)

Hamas continues to try to rebuild ties with Iran following the downfall of former Egyptian Pres. Morsi. (Al Monitor)

Israel completes clearing landmines near its Red Sea port of Eilat. (Xinhua)

NPR looks at the complications for Palestinians getting running water in the occupied West Bank. (NPR)

COMMENTARY:

The New York Times says Netanyahu must have the courage not to expand settlements if peace is to have a chance. (New York Times)

Lara Friedman provides a clear timeline on the new negotiations and new settlement announcements. (APN)

The Daily Star says peace and settlements simply do not mix. (The Daily Star)

Ha'aretz says the settlement expansions are a "targeted assassination" of the peace talks. (Ha'aretz)

Mazal Mualem says the new settlement housing units are no real threat to peace. (Al Monitor)

The Economist says the settler movement would probably be a bigger spoiler outside of government. (The Economist)

Nassif Hitti says a forceful American role is essential for peace talks to succeed. (Al Monitor)

Aaron David Miller says Israelis and Palestinians need American middlemen for peace. (Foreign Policy)

Roger Cohen says the one-state dream would actually prove a nightmare in practice. (New York Times)

Niva Lanir says peace based on the 1967 borders is the only way forward. (Ha'aretz)

The LA Times says the controversy over whether non-Jewish Israelis should vote in a referendum on peace is another strain on its democracy. (Los Angeles Times)

Henry Siegman says withdrawing from the occupied territories would enhance Israel's security for more than attacking Iran. (Ha'aretz)

Moshe Arens says a smaller Israel would be too vulnerable. (Ha'aretz)

Elliott Abrams questions whether Israel can rely on American security guarantees. (The Weekly Standard)

The Jerusalem Post interviews former Israeli negotiator Yossi Beilin, who says he is "truly delighted" at the new talks. (Jerusalem Post)

Raphael Ahren says it's hard to imagine what the next step forward on peace will be. (Times of Israel)

Jonathan Marcus says Western diplomats believe Israeli-Palestinian peace is essential. (BBC)

Gershom Gorenberg says Israel's settlement policies are threatening its economic future. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Oded Shalom says Upper Nazareth's mayor is running on an openly racist platform. (YNet)

Larry Derfner says Jewish-American should stop ignoring Israel's "everyday racism." (The Forward)

Marc Grey says education can help counteract racism in Israel. (The Forward)

Maysoon Zayid looks at Israel's separate and unequal West Bank "bypass roads." (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Rachel Shabi says Arabs and Israelis can unite over food, if nothing else. (The Guardian)

Abdalla Khader says Palestinians need elections, not reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah. (Foreign Policy)