Palestinian politics
Palestinian parties Fatah and Hamas agree to form unity government, Middle East Eye
The main Palestinian parties on Tuesday announced a deal to form a national unity government prior to the holding of elections, after three days of reconciliation talks in Moscow involving rival groups Fatah and Hamas.
US-Israel relations
Opinion: Don’t Mess with Jerusalem, LobeLog
“Palestinians are on edge. Moving the embassy or even pretending to do so would push them over—igniting a spark that would set the region aflame,” writes Jim Zogby.
Kerry: US anti-settlement moves aimed to ‘ignite a debate’, The Times of Israel
Secretary of state calls Israel’s West Bank policy a ‘recipe for permanent insurgency,’ says he told Netanyahu he’s unilaterally ‘changing peace map.’
Occupation/Human rights
Ma'ale Adumim Annexation Bill to Advance After Trump Inauguration, The Jerusalem Post
Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Legislation will debate a bill to annex Ma’aleh Adumim this Sunday, just two-days after the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, MK Bezalel Smotrich told the Knesset plenum on Tuesday.
PHOTOS: How the state builds a road for West Bank settlers, +972 Magazine/ActiveStills
Israeli authorities continue to uproot Palestinian-owned olive trees in order to build a road for nearby settlers.
Palestinians killed in Israeli home demolition raid, Al Jazeera
Two Palestinians and one Israeli police officer were killed during home-demolition operation in southern Bedouin village. Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint Arab List in the Israeli Knesset, was also injured.
Israeli police accused of cover-up over killing during Negev demolition raid, Ma'an News
The Joint List, which represents parties led by Palestinian citizens of Israel in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, accused Israeli police of spreading misinformation to Israeli media regarding an alleged vehicle attack Wednesday morning in the Negev, as new video footage emerged further contradicting the Israel police’s version of events.
Gaza
Israel cannot shirk its responsibility for Gaza’s electricity crisis, Btselem
The irregular supply of electricity in the Gaza Strip is primarily a direct result of official Israeli policy, Btselem says.