Gaza's Single Ladies to Hamas: Put a Ring on It

But Israel may not deal with Hamas

(AP) - Palestinians have reached initial agreement on reuniting their rival governments in the West Bank and Gaza, a step that would remove a main obstacle in the way of peace efforts with Israel. Fatah and Hamas officials said the plan, brokered by Egypt, calls for the formation of a single caretaker government in the coming days. The government would administer day-to-day business until new presidential and legislative elections are held in exactly one year. More»

Hamas denounces murder of pro-Palestinian peacenik

(NEWSER) - An Italian peace activist was found dead in the Gaza Strip hours after he had been kidnapped by a group of Islamic radicals. Vittorio Arrigoni, who had been active in the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement for more than a decade, was hanged by his kidnappers, AP reports. The al-Qaeda-linked group had released a video of the bloodied and blindfolded captive, and demanded that Hamas release its leader, who was arrested last month. More»

Party shares blame with Israel for sky-high unemployment

(NEWSER) - As joblessness mounts in the beleaguered Gaza Strip, more and more residents are blaming the ruling Hamas party for their woes, GlobalPost reports. Although Gaza has one of the fastest population growth rates on earth, 45% of people have no job and 85% depend on aid to get by. And while Palestinians largely blame Israel’s stifling economic blockade, they are increasingly turning their ire on Hamas, too. More»

Militants torch camp seeking to shield kids from extremism

(NEWSER) - Dozens of masked gunmen attacked a United Nations-run summer camp for Gaza's children yesterday, tying up guards and setting the camp on fire. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the AP reports, although the UN camps are competing with camps run by Hamas, which teach an anti-Israel doctrine and military marching along with horseback riding and swimming. More»

(NEWSER) - Explosives-laden horses were part of an attempt today by Palestinian militants to plant bombs in Israel, the BBC reports. Israel says it shot and killed four men—who where wearing explosive vests—and their explosive-laden horses after they first fired on a border post. The Israeli response to the men and their horses was carried out with machine guns, tanks, and helicopters. More»