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Hamas

  • Palestinians picked a new president this week — on a reality show, that is. Meanwhile, the real political leadership in the West Bank is in disarray, even as Secretary of State John Kerry works to restart peace negotiations.
  • Palestinians convicted of working for Israel's security forces face harsh punishment, which can include vigilante justice. Hamas, the Islamic group that runs the Gaza Strip, has been waging a campaign to crack down on Palestinian collaborators, or informants.
  • In many countries, the very young have zero interest in politics. After decades of conflict, however, Gaza is an intensely political place and its young people were out in force to give Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal a hero's welcome — even though many are still suffering the effects of the recent eight-day missile offensive.
  • An emboldened Meshal kissed the ground in celebration and he was given a hero's welcome. Meshal said he he considered the moment a rebirth.
  • Host Rachel Martin talks with P.J. Crowley, who served on the National Security Council in the Clinton administration, about the role of the United States in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas and the cease-fire in Gaza. Crowley also served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for public affairs from 2009 to 2011.
  • The war between Israel and the Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip could end up as a victory of sorts for both sides. Hamas' popularity in the Arab world has skyrocketed. Hamas leaders say they've forced Israel to the negotiating table by launching rockets at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and held their own for the last week. Their rivals in the Palestinian Authority have been marginalized. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, has received a huge boost to his popularity in the midst of an election campaign. Sheera Frenkel talks to Audie Cornish.
  • Despite the diplomatic push and despite the rumors of imminent peace, there was no cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will head to Cairo to try to broker a deal.
  • As diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas intensify, analysts say Hamas appears to be in a stronger position than ever before. Diplomatically, it has received enthusiastic support from Egypt and other Arab neighbors. And, the conflict has helped to strengthen Hamas domestic political position.
  • The Arab Spring and its aftermath have radically changed the dynamics in the Middle East, and this makes this round of Israeli-Palestinian fighting different from previous battles.
  • Here are the takeaways from the sixth day of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip: The Palestinian death toll crossed 100; militants fired 95 rockets at Israel. Egypt and others tried to work toward a cease-fire.