Topic: Gaza Strip

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Obama-Netanyahu tensions: Not as bad as 5 other US-Israel low points

Will US-Israel relations fray over Iran? Not likely – they've seen worse.
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 4 differences on Israel

President Obama's positions on Israeli-Palestinian peace have rankled Israel’s conservative coalition government, while Mitt Romney insists he would be a better friend to Israel. Here are some of the issues on which the candidates differ.
Israel's coalition government: Israeli and Arab media react

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprised Israel (and its Arab neighbors) when he announced the creation of a unity government on May 8: Israeli and Arab media react.
Blast-off: 6 recent missile advances

Missiles have been prominent in the news with India’s successful test, North Korea’s failed one, and much talk of missile defense systems in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Here are six recent noteworthy missile-technology advances.
Who is Hamas? 5 questions about the Palestinian militant group.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has agreed to form a unity government led by Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority and head of rival Palestinian faction Fatah. But who is Hamas? What is their relationship with Fatah, and what might Hamas gain from reconciling with them? Here are five key questions about Hamas.

All Content

Israel-Gaza violence appears to ease after overnight airstrikes

Palestinian rocket fire had spurred Israel-Gaza violence over the weekend, but Hamas – whose militants were not involved – seems eager to end the flare-up.
Israeli airstrike breaks brief Israel-Gaza cease-fire

An Israeli airstrike on two Palestinian fighters has broken a tenuous and brief Israel-Gaza cease-fire set up after Saturday clashes left one Israeli and nine Palestinian fighters dead.
Rio fights its drug war with library books

Rio de Janeiro is trying to fight drug crime with the construction of a library that it hopes will win 'hearts and minds.'
Teen rescued from Turkey quake rubble, as government eyes lax building construction

A teen was pulled from the Turkish quake rubble early Friday morning. Meanwhile, concerns are rising over subpar building construction, which contributed to the quake's toll and is ongoing.
Palestinian statehood bid adds urgency for Israeli-Palestinian peace

Quartet envoy Tony Blair held talks today to prod Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table amid concern about a looming UN vote on Palestinian statehood.
Israeli ambassador: Gilad Shalit affair strengthens state of Israel (VIDEO)

Michael Oren, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, said Tuesday that the trade which secured Gilad Shalit’s release 'goes to the heart of Israeli society'.
Turkey earthquake: Turks weep as rescue and recovery efforts continue

Turkey earthquake: Rescue teams with generator-powered floodlights worked into the night in the worst-hit city of Ercis, where running water and electricity were cut by the quake that rocked eastern Turkey on Sunday.
Turkey earthquake: Four quake survivors pulled out alive (VIDEO)

Turkey earthquake: Dozens of people were trapped in mounds of concrete, twisted steel and construction debris after hundreds of buildings in two cities and mud-brick homes in nearby villages pancaked or partially collapsed in the earthquake that struck Sunday afternoon.
Turkey earthquake: 7.2 quake is the worst in a decade (video)

Turkey earthquake: Rescue efforts continued as the death toll rose to 138 Sunday evening . Hundreds are reported missing after at 7.2 magnitude earthquake, near Van, Turkey.
For Palestinians released in Gilad Shalit prisoner swap, freedom is relative

The roughly 100 former Palestinian prisoners who were released to the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the Gilad Shalit deal are out of prison, but still don't walk entirely free.
Gilad Shalit deal: An inside look at Israel-Hamas backchannel talks

Gershon Baskin - Israel's key link to Hamas during negotiations for the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap - speaks on how and why both sides decided to make concessions to reach an agreement.
With Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange finished, attention turns to security

With many of the Palestinians released in the prisoner exchange for Gilad Shalit going to the West Bank, focus will now be on ensuring that Israeli-Palestinian violence stays at its current low level.
Gilad Shalit deal boosts Hamas in West Bank as Fatah clings to support

Palestinian prisoners released in the Gilad Shalit deal were welcomed home in Ramallah amid an unusual display of support for Hamas.
What does the Gilad Shalit deal really mean?

The Gilad Shalit exchange means a great deal for the released prisoners and their families. But in the larger picture, it won't bring much change.
In Pictures: Gilad Shalit released
With Gilad Shalit prisoner swap done, Israelis and Palestinians debate its impact

Now that Gilad Shalit is back in Israel and the Palestinian prisoners have been released, Israelis weigh the potential cost of the deal and Palestinians examine how it shifts the Hamas-Fatah split.
Gilad Shalit freedom marks a milestone. Now lift the Gaza blockade, says Hamas.

Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier was freed today after being held for more than five years in Gaza. Some 477 Palestinian prisoners were released at the same time.
Gilad Shalit deal: West Bank prepares to welcome Palestinians home

West Bank Palestinians whose family members are on the list of prisoners to be exchanged for Gilad Shalit are joyful. For those not on the list, it is bittersweet.
Gilad Shalit deal boosts Hamas, but also reveals group's weaknesses

Hamas scored a victory with the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli solder Gilad Shalit. But its concessions to Israel show fragility.
Initial euphoria over Gilad Shalit prisoner swap fades (video)

As details emerge of the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap, in which 1,000 Palestinians will be exchanged for one Israeli soldier, Palestinians are disappointed with who won't be released while Israelis worry about renewed violence.
Good Reads: Dissecting Iran assassination plot, a broken America, and Qatar's rise (video)

Newspapers are picking holes in an alleged Iranian assassination plot against a Saudi diplomat, while George Packer offers up a sharp analysis of a US that can upgrade its iPhones but can't fix its bridges. And what's up with Qatar?
With guilty plea, underwear bomber cuts short intriguing terror trial

The trial of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called underwear bomber, could have shed light on Anwar al-Awlaki and several potentially significant pretrial rulings. But he pleaded guilty.
Gilad Shalit: Why does he matter so much?

Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas fighters more than five years ago, sparking outrage across Israel. Now he's set to be freed in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Gilad Shalit prisoner swap: Why Netanyahu agreed to 1,000 Palestinians for one Israeli

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was opposed in principle to the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap. But his willingness to make an unsavory deal in the end highlights his pragmatism.
Assassination plot? Why Iran and Saudi Arabia are such bitter rivals

US authorities linked Iran to a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the US. Few contests have defined the modern Middle East like that between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran.