A recent Haaretz expose describes abuse of Palestinians by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip in December and January. The article bases the claims on the accounts of soldiers regarding their experiences in the territories. A New York Times story outlines the potential isolation of Israel due to the recent Gaza offensive and the accession of Binyamin Netanyahu to Prime Minister. However, Netanyahu may pull his government to the left by adding Labor to the coalition, albeit Labor Chairman Ehud Barak repeatedly indicated that he would not join the coalition but may be reconsidering following dissent in his own party and an offer of Netanyahu of five portfolios, including Defense and Social Welfare.
With a deal to return abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit rejected by both Israel and Hamas, the IDF entered the West Bank and arrested approximately 20 suspected militants. The arrests included at least four Hamas ministers, notably Nasser al-Shaer.
Even though Egyptian officials previously indicated that they would forgive previous comments by likely-future Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman directed at President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt may boycott the anniversary of the nation’s peace deal with Israel.