Ahead of Barack Obama's meeting today with the Prime Minister of Israel Binyamin Netanyahu and the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas The Washington Times publishes a breaking report that Israel has made a secret offer to partially freeze the Israeli settlements in the West Bank in exchange of better Arab ties. Earlier Arab states had been asked to make a gesture to Israel to help the stimulate the peace process and move it forward.

President Obama's push for a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict has given the Palestinians an historic opportunity to end their disastrous state of affairs.

People, from around the world who have interest in achieving peace between Israel, Palestine and the Arab world actively discuss today's Netanyahu speech delivered in a university. Israeli prime minister says Israel would agree to a peace agreement with a "demilitarized Palestinian state." However, people are expressing conflicting views on this issue.

The challenges and opportunities that Israel faces today will undoubtedly lay the ground for its future coexistence both in the Middle East and as an ally to the West. Israel must wake up and heed the call of the international community, rise to the occasion and use the support it has now and its overwhelming power to make the necessary sacrifices for peace.

Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyhau says his government will seek a peace agreement with the Palestinians. The comments appeared to be aimed at easing concerns that he will try to freeze past peace efforts once he takes office.

To say that access to and quality of health care in Gaza is poor is to grossly understate the situation.

The United Nations Security Council Sunday called for an immediate halt to all violence in the Gaza Strip amid ongoing Israeli air strikes that have killed more than 270 people in Gaza. The Israeli assault followed days of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel by militants in Gaza. VOA's Purnell Murdock reports.

Israel is pulling tanks and infantry reinforcements close to Gaza in preparation for a possible attack on Hamas militants, Israel's Ynet web portal and the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday.

Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip continued on December 28 with a reported 271 people killed since the offensive began a day earlier. Israel says the attacks are a response to rocket and mortar fire by Gaza militants, which increased after a six-month cease-fire ended recently.

With today's news of IDF air strikes abruptly ending the lives of some 140+ Gazans, I can't help but feel an abject sense of horror at the fact that most Americans will probably find some way to blame the Palestinians for bringing this on themselves.