Israel's insistence that its military offensive in Gaza is justified by the threat from Hamas may be undercut by the weekend's spike in civilian deaths and graphic scenes of suffering.
For years, Israel has considered rocket fire from Gaza to be the largest security threat. But now the Jewish state is more worried about what's going on below.
While Hamas has built an extensive network of underground tunnels and bunkers since 2009, it hasn't built infrastructure for protecting civilians.
The Israeli prime minister and Palestinian Authority president have both argued for restraint 鈥� and are paying the price.
If I wanted to get my friend his gift, I needed negotiation skills.
Hamas faced a choice between a cease-fire that met almost none of its conditions or rejection that gave Israel diplomatic cover for further escalation.
Israeli and Palestinian parents living under fire struggle to answer their children's questions about why the rockets and air strikes are back after a two-year hiatus.
Hamas's popularity is soaring with every rocket launch, but some Palestinians say they are bringing destruction upon Gaza for their own political interests.
Rioting erupted last week in East Jerusalem over the murder of a Palestinian teenager. Local leaders who used to discipline angry youth are struggling to be heard.
The visit showcased shared humanity, but also the difficulties of reconciliation in the current environment.
Hamas rockets have become more accurate and powerful, reaching well into Israel's economic and population centers. But Israel's Iron Dome defense system has so far been able to deflect them.
Israel launched airstrikes on militants' homes and called up 40,000 reservists amid a dramatic increase in rockets from Gaza, for which Hamas claimed responsibility.
The dramatic rise is likely to put significant pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to heed calls for an all-out offensive against the Islamist movement.
Israeli police have detained six Jewish suspects in the killing of Muhammed Abu Khudeir after some of the worst street unrest in a decade erupted in East Jerusalem.
The murder of a Palestinian teenager overnight - which his friends and neighbors are convinced was an act of revenge for the killing of three Israeli teens 鈥� sparked clashes in East Jerusalem.
Mahmoud Abbas condemned the abduction of three Israeli teens who were buried yesterday. But his nonviolent stance has won him little support from Israel and has angered Palestinians.
The bodies of the three yeshiva students were recovered near Hebron. Israel's deputy defense minister called for the destruction of Hamas, which threatened retaliation in turn.
Gaza Sky Geeks鈥� fourth annual Start-Up Weekend drew record numbers, and women accounted for half of those making one-minute pitches.
What began as an operation to bring the teens home has turned into a much wider crackdown on Hamas 鈥� and potentially an escalation in violence.
Verdi鈥檚 tragic love story draws thousands to the foot of Masada, a dramatic mountain fortress where Jews jumped to their deaths rather than be captured by Romans.
