News stories by Jillian Kestler-DAmours, page 3

JERUSALEM, Dic 06 (IPS) - After successfully upgrading their status at the United Nations, and securing what has been locally deemed a victory in eight days of fighting between Israel and the Gaza Strip, Palestinians are taking on their next difficult challenge: bridging the long-standing rift between the major Palestinian political factions.

JERUSALEM, Dic 02 (IPS) - After the cancellation of an international conference to create a nuclear-free Middle East, leading experts have warned that an important opportunity to create stability in the region has been squandered.

RAMALLAH, Occupied West Bank, Nov 30 (IPS) - Thousands of Palestinians gathered throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip Thursday, including representatives of all the major political factions, to celebrate and to show their support for the Palestinian Authority's bid for upgraded status at the United Nations.

JERUSALEM, Nov 25 (IPS) - As the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seems to be holding, many are hoping that one of the agreement's main points – the easing of restrictions on people and goods coming in and out of the Gaza Strip – signals a new era for the besieged Palestinian territory.

RAMALLAH, Occupied West Bank, Nov 22 (IPS) - As people anxiously wait to see if the newly-signed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas will hold, local and international human rights groups are calling for investigations into Israeli human rights abuses committed during its eight-day assault on the Gaza Strip, including flagrant attacks on journalists.

RAMALLAH, Occupied West Bank, Nov 21 (IPS) - Hundreds of Palestinians marched through Ramallah Tuesday afternoon to mourn the death of a Palestinian protester who was fatally wounded during a demonstration against the ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip.

HAIFA, Northern Israel, Nov 19 (IPS) - Dozens of Israeli tanks slowly made their way south on the back of flatbed trucks along Israel's Road 6 highway Sunday. Emblazoned with Stars of David and Hebrew letters, and carrying frayed Israeli flags, the movement of these tanks has left many believing that Israel will soon launch a large-scale ground operation into the Gaza Strip.

JERUSALEM, Nov 15 (IPS) - As Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip enters its second day, Palestinians fear that this is only the beginning of another widespread Israeli offensive into the besieged Palestinian territory that would leave them nowhere to hide.

RAMALLAH, Occupied West Bank, Nov 14 (IPS) - George Sahhar opens the door to a closet-sized control room, where a cacophony of wires, routers, papers, and computer screens are messily strewn across a desk.

DURA, Occupied West Bank, Nov 12 (IPS) - Fatmeh Abu Hrar Tabeel has had her first ever breast cancer screening. "It feels good to know, of course. Thanks to god, I am well," the 51-year-old mother of seven told IPS. "Now I can examine myself once a month from home; the doctor showed me how."