AFP - Egyptian police arrested 22 people suspected of involvement in smuggling goods into the Gaza Strip as part of major crackdown launched earlier this week, a security official said on Friday.

AP - Tens of thousands of Syrians and Palestinians have gathered in a Damascus square in a government-orchestrated "march of anger" against Israeli settlements in east Jerusalem.

AFP - The riots that shook Jerusalem this month were sparked by mere rumours, but tensions remain high in the narrow alleys of the Old City and could erupt again, confounding US-led peace efforts.

Time.com - As Netanyahu and Obama tussle over Israeli construction, many in the Holy City fear that Israeli control has extended beyond the point where the city can be shared between two states

AFP - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas arrived in Libya on Friday for an Arab summit expected to be dominated by Israel's controversial building of settlement homes in annexed east Jerusalem.

AFP - Arab leaders gathered in Libya on Friday ahead of a weekend summit amid a deepening crisis with Israel over its settlement policy in annexed east Jerusalem.

Reuters - Israeli tanks advanced into the Gaza Strip on Friday after the worst clash with Palestinian fighters in 14 months killed two on each side, and Palestinian sources reported more casualties in the fighting.

AFP - Two Israeli soldiers, including an officer, and four Palestinians were killed in clashes near the border with the Gaza Strip on Friday, the Israeli army said.