News:

A UN inquiry into possible war crimes in last summer’s Gaza war will produce its report on time next month despite the resignation of its chairman. (Reuters/New York Times/AFP/PNN/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

PM Netanyahu calls for scrapping the UN commission on Gaza. (AP/Ha’aretz)

Hamas accuses Israel of “exerting pressure” on the head of the commission. (Ma’an)

The PA will reportedly ask the ICC to look into Israel’s settlement construction. (Jerusalem Post)

Saudi Arabia allocates $13.5 million to UNRWA. (Ma’an)

Palestinians protest Pres. Rivlin’s visit to Hebron. (AFP/JTA/Ynet)

Pres. Abbas orders an investigation into the official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah for publishing a caricature depicting the Prophet Mohammed. (Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

The mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun hopes Pope Francis will help her prevent Israel from extending its security barrier near the city. (Ha’aretz)

At least eight women are killed and 50 injured in a collision involving a bus who was carrying Bedouin women who had visited the Al-Aqsa mosque and a tractor in the Negev. (JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Ynet/Jerusalem Post)

A poll forecasts Netanyahu’s Likud party may win 25 of parliament's 120 seats in the upcoming election. (Reuters)

An Israeli satirical TV show returns on air just in time for the elections. (Washington Post)

Iraq’s Cabinet approves a draft law creating a national guard. (Reuters)

AP says the cost for fighters leaving ISIS is death or jail. (AP) 

The Pentagon says ISIS extremists are expanding their “international footprint” in ungoverned areas of the Mideast and North Africa.  (Bloomberg)

Iraqi DM al-Obeidi claims ISIS can be defeated “within months.” (CCTV)

Pres. Obama requests $8.8 billion to fund the fight against ISIS in the 2016 budget. (AFP)

Canada’s FM Baird says the release of Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy is "imminent." (AP/The National)

By sacking two reformist ministers and authorizing bonuses for employees of large companies, King Salman is already making his mark. (Reuters/The National)

The new Saudi channel Al Arab suspends broadcasting in Bahrain, supposedly for technical reasons, after giving opposition leaders airtime. (New York Times)

King Abdullah of Jordan will be meeting with senior US administration officials in Washington. (Jordan Times)

Commentary:

The Washington Post says all parties, especially Hamas, deserve  blame for Gaza’s “tragic cycle.” (Washington Post)

Khaled Diab says Mizrahi Jews and Palestinian citizens of Israel could form a formidable voting bloc. (Ha’aretz)

Niva Lanir says Netanyahu is playing “dangerous games” in Israel’s back yard. (Ha’aretz)

David Horovitz interviews Israel’s youngest female Labor politician Stav Shaffir. (Times of Israel)

Alise Mofrej describes conditions inside Syria’s jails. (New York Times)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed wonders if Jordan will still release Iraqi terrorist Sajida Rishawi after the execution of the two Japanese hostages. (Al Arabiya)

Michael Weiss and Michael Pregent say Iran is making it impossible for the US-led coalition to beat ISIS. (Daily Beast)

Hassan Barari looks at Egypt’s Sinai challenge. (Jordan Times)

Bel Trew says no one will save Al Jazeera’s Egyptian journalist Baher Mohamed. (Foreign Policy)

Fethullah Gulen complains that Turkey’s democracy is eroding. (New York Times)