Middle Orient

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s deputy defence minister threatened Tuesday to target Hamas’  political leaders, calling them “terrorists in suits” after a Hamas rocket attack killed an Israeli woman. The harsh words were backed up by action, with fresh air  strikes on Hamas targets.

NAHR BARED (AFP) — Islamist fighters declared a ceasefire on Tuesday after three days of fierce battles with Lebanese troops at a Palestinian refugee camp, but two civilians were gunned down just hours later as UN workers delivered desperately needed aid.

NAHR BARED (AFP) — Islamist fighters declared a ceasefire on Tuesday after three days of fierce battles with Lebanese troops at a Palestinian refugee camp, but two civilians were gunned down just hours later as UN workers delivered desperately needed aid.

Thousands of Palestinians are leaving a refugee camp in northern Lebanon after three days of fighting between Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese army. “Nahr al-Bared residents have taken advantage of the truce in the fighting to escape the besieged and heavily bombarded camp,” Hajj Rifaat, an official from the mainstream …

OSLO (AP) — Norway is set to make the first transfer of direct aid to the Palestinians’ new government, the foreign minister said Monday — more than two months after the Nordic country broke with most Western nations by recognising the Hamas-led coalition.

TEHRAN (AFP) — One of Iraq’s most powerful Shiite leaders, Abdel Aziz Hakim, said on Monday he was in Iran for medical tests on a “swelling” after undergoing similar treatment in the United States.

MOGADISHU (AFP) — The Somali president warned that “terrorists” were threatening his shattered country’s security and slammed international donors for failing to help as promised, in an interview with AFP.

ANKARA — Turkey’s ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party hopes to project a moderate image by fielding more women and entrepreneurs as candidates in July’s election, but it may struggle to retain the support of urban middle-class voters.

GAZA CITY (AP) — Israeli-Palestinian violence escalated dangerously Monday when Israel killed five fighters in air strikes and indicated that Hamas political leaders could be their next target, and a rocket fired from Gaza killed an Israeli woman, inviting a harsh Israeli response.

NAHR AL BARED (AFP) — Lebanese troops bombarded Islamist gunmen with tanks and heavy artillery on Monday, the second day of the bloodiest internal fighting since the civil war that has killed 58 people.