The Obama administration on Wednesday castigated the Israeli government for approving plans to create a new Jewish settlement on the West Bank, three weeks after it signed a lucrative military aid package with the United States and just as President Obama was traveling to Jerusalem for the funeral of Shimon Peres.

“That Obama is now seen as the last, best hope for a two-state solution is deeply ironic given how little he has done to advance that goal in the nearly eight years since he took office,” writes Khaled Elgindy.

Investigations by human rights groups into the killing of a 15-year-old Palestinian by Israeli forces last month east of al-Bureij refugee camp in the Gaza Strip have revealed that the boy did not pose a threat when he was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier with a flare at close range, after the Israeli army denied responsibility for his death altogether.

“Israel has been revoking the travel and import permits of Gaza merchants and importers, threatening the collapse of Gaza’s economy,” writes Shlomi Eldar.

Gaza official reportedly claims group is working to prevent further violence following air force bombardment in reprisal for rocket attack on Sderot.

Hamas might be issuing a document soon detailing its stances toward various aspects of the Palestinian cause, as well as its ties with local parties and foreign countries.

Is one state the only alternative to an unrealized two-state solution? Al-Shabaka’s Asem Khalil discusses the minimal changes in governance the PA has made post-Oslo and forecasts a “status quo+,” an institutionalized system of apartheid and a no-state solution.

The Palestinian Authority is buying time to avoid an electoral defeat, analysts say.