News:

Israel announces future tenders for 1,730 new settlement housing units. (Xinhua)

PM Netanyahu defends Israel's settlement expansion policies. (AP)

The PLO says Israel is "not serious" about peace, and threatens to take the issue of settlements to the UN Security Council. (Ma'an)

Israeli press reports suggest the US may offer a new peace initiative in January. (Ha'aretz/PNN/Jerusalem Post)

An Israeli drone crashes north of Gaza, Israel says because of technical malfunctions but Palestinianmilitants say they shot it down. (Xinhua/Ma'an)

The star of the noted film "5 Broken Cameras" is among those shot by Israeli occupation forces at a protest. (Ma'an)

Hamas is creating its own new, controversial textbooks. (New York Times)

Hamas appoints a 23-year-old woman writer its Western spokeswoman. (YNet)

South Africa's FM expresses solidarity with the Palestinian cause. (Ma'an)

A Bedouin child is killed by a tractor in the Negev desert. (YNet)

The CSM looks at how humor eases the burden of daily life under occupation for Palestinians. (Christian Science Monitor)

Palestinians launch a new effort to promote domestic tourism. (PNN)

Sec. Kerry visits Egypt at the start of a regional tour and reaffirms strong relations. (New York Times)

Kerry will also go to Saudi Arabia in an effort to repair strained ties. (AP/Reuters)

A suicide bombing in the Syrian city of Homs kills six people. (AP)

Jordan is reportedly turning away Syrian refugees. (Los Angeles Times)

The UN says nearly 1,000 people were killed in Iraq in October. (AP)

The trial of former Egyptian Pres. Morsy begins, but quickly recesses. (New York Times/Los Angeles Times)

Military analysts say the suspension in some US military aid provides Egypt with an opportunity for innovation. (The National)


Commentary:

Adam Gonn says Kerry is trying to keep up pressure on Israel and the Palestinians to make progress. (Xinhua)

Steve Hibbard sees little reason for optimism in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. (The Daily Star)

Boaz Ganor says Israel is in a difficult strategic position that can only be resolved through peace with the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

Giles Fraser says Israel cannot afford to be isolated forever. (The Guardian)

Amira Hass looks at repeated threats by Palestinian chief negotiator Erekat to resign. (Ha'aretz)

Hazem Balousha thinks clashes between Israel and Hamas are unlikely to intensify. (Al Monitor)

Uri Misgav says the Israeli far right is still celebrating the assassination of the late PM Rabin. (Ha'aretz)

Arik Ascherman says Israel's mass relocation plan will hurt Bedouin women even more than men. (Ha'aretz)

David Harris asks how far Israel and Washington have diverged regarding Iran. (Ha'aretz)

David Horovitz says the next two months will prove decisive regarding Iran. (Times of Israel)

Turki bin Faisal al-Saud says ending the ongoing horror in Syria is the paramount Middle East issue of the moment. (The Daily Star)

Asharq Al-Awsat interviews the Egyptian Al-Nour Party Spokesman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Wafa Al Sayed says American detente with Iran need not come at the expense of its Gulf allies. (Gulf News)

Nasouh Majali says the US seems to many Arabs to be less committed to the Middle East. (Jordan Times)

The Daily Star says Kerry's trip to the region is "too little, too late." (The Daily Star)

Madawi Al-Rasheed says Kerry ought to be able to patch things up with Saudi Arabia. (Al Monitor)

Hussein Ibish says it's vital for the US to preserve strategic relations with its Arab allies. (The National)