Avi Issacharoff

Israel must talk to Marwan Barghouti, because the reality is that the alternative will be Hamas. True, he is a convicted murderer, but Israel has signed peace treaties with terrorists with blood on their hands in the past.

Haaretz has learned prime minister will not run in the election due to take place next week; though the deputy bureau chief remains the only candidate, Hamas leader Khaled Meshal may still run at the last moment.

On the ground, there has been an increase in unrest among the Palestinian population, encouraged by Hamas, while the authorities turn a blind eye. Yet there has been no deterioration into mass incidents, and no loss of control.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Turkey, Abbas criticizes Meshal saying he won't recognize Israel; Abbas to Livni: Hamas must accept two-state solution principle, reject violence, in any Fatah unity agreement.

Hundreds of thousands of people came out to mark Hamas' anniversary, celebrated 'victory' over Israel in Pillar of Defense and, above all, to see in person the man who has marked his path to the presidency of Palestine some day: Khaled Meshal.

Hamas supporters flash victory signs; huge models of Jerusalem and an M-75 missile are on display; Khaled Meshal is joined onstage by Ismail Haniyeh.

For the first time in the history of the two groups, Fatah leaders will welcome Hamas' political chief, who was considered almost done in internal politics until his critical role in reaching a cease-fire with Israel during Operation Pillar of Defense.

Abbas regained his standing - at least in the Palestinian and Arab media - as a hero and leader without fault. He who dares wins, partly thanks to the Israeli PR campaign that portrayed the move as no less than state terror.

If it hadn't been for the Israeli foreign minister's negative campaign, Abbas may not have received broad coverage in the international media - and a rare Palestinian consensus.

Khaled Meshal, Hamas political bureau chief who lives in exile in Damascus, will arrive in the Strip on December 5, according to Palestinian officials; meanwhile, a Gaza cleric this weekend issued a fatwa forbidding breaking of cease-fire.

Suleiman al-Daya's fatwa says honoring cease-fire agreement, brokered by Egypt, is the duty of all of Gaza's citizens.

Egypt officials say President Morsi wants to take advantage of Hamas' strong position to set date for PA elections; Hamas, Islamic Jihad say they support PA's UN bid; meanwhile, Brotherhood in Egypt calls for 'jihad against Israel.'

It’s still too early to sum up Israel's operation in Gaza, but one can say with certainty that while Hamas may have suffered military blows, it has emerged as the party that Israel is negotiating with; Abbas and his Fatah faction have become irrelevant.

Senior Israeli ministers conclude meeting on Gaza after relatively calm night; IDF strikes 100 targets in Gaza overnight; UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon expected today; government postpones decision on whether to launch ground invasion of Gaza by at least a day.

At times it's hard to believe that this is the same senior Muslim Brotherhood leader who was described during Egyptian presidential election campaign as the man who 'would liberate Gaza and turn Jerusalem into the capital of the united Arab nations.'

Forum of nine senior Israeli ministers to convene to discuss future of Gaza operation; UN chief Ban Ki-moon arrives in Cairo to discuss cease-fire efforts; Hamas-run Health Ministry says number of Palestinians killed in Gaza reaches 100; IDF kills top Islamic Jihad leader.

Air force error leads to 12 civilian deaths in Gaza bombing; bloodshed is thought likely to raise international pressure for a cease-fire, with Egypt taking the lead in mediating between Israel and Hamas.

While Hamas leaders hide in underground tunnels, the civilian population is exposed to strikes; the horrifying pictures from al Dalou family is liable to be Palestinian version of Lebanon village of Kafr Qana.

Diplomats at the United Nations said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to visit Israel and Egypt in the coming week to push for an end to the fighting.

Due to the video's bad translation and technical problems, it has become one of the hottest parodies on the web.

Netanyahu told foreign leaders this weekend that Israel is open to a ceasefire, but will launch a ground invasion if rockets continue to be fired from Gaza.

Speaking to Haaretz, senior Egyptian officials say effort geared at agreeing on break in fighting that would go into effect within 24-28 hours.

Israel launched a military operation in Gaza Wednesday, killing Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari in airstrike; over 100 rockets fired at Israel since; more than 25 rockets intercepted by Iron Dome System; Israel may expand Gaza operation, says senior official; Israeli cabinet authorizes IDF reservists call-up; UNSC held emergency meeting on escalation.

Ahmed Jabari was behind the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit; Hamas: Israeli aggression will lead to war; Israel Police raises alert levels across the country.

Various activities across the West Bank, and expected in East Jerusalem, commemorating the national day declared by the Palestine National Council in 1988.