Israeli air strikes on Gaza claimed 23 lives since Friday [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Our al-Jazeera correspondent in Gaza reported that Israeli warplanes conducted a fourth raid today, targeting Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip. Two people were martyred and several others were injured, raising today's death toll to five, including a child who was killed in an earlier raid that targeted a group of students in the area of al-Sudaniya. Since the start of the Israeli attacks on Friday, 23 people have been killed, and nearly 70 injured.

Reporter, Male #2
In the Israeli escalation on the Gaza Strip, civilians pay the price. Dozens of citizens were injured in a new series of raids across different parts of the Strip. Most of these injured are children, and members of the same family, whose home was destroyed while they were sleeping inside.

Guest, Male #3
They shelled our home; everything fell on my head. My wife, my children and I were all injured.

Reporter, Male #2
These images remind the Palestinians of the last war on Gaza. With these raids, Israel would have expanded its targets; raids that probably aim to pressure the factions of the resistance to accept Israel's conditions to establish calm. The failure of the efforts to re-establish calm is reflected in these images.

Guest, Male #4
We were woken up by our neighbors screaming, "Help us, help us." We went to help them; we went downstairs and my son followed me, and an F-16 fired a missile, destroying this entire area. It destroyed the whole area.

Reporter, Male #2
The Palestinian factions are blaming Israel for the failure to establish calm, demanding guarantees that Israel will not revert to its assassination policy.

Guest, Male #5
It is impossible for us to talk about calm before the Israeli aggression stops, and we cannot accept any agreement for calm unless Israel commits to it.

Reporter, Male #2
So amid these facts, escalation will dominate the scene on the ground, and will continue until both sides accept conditions to re-establish calm, even if temporarily. Wael el-Dahdouh, al-Jazeera, Gaza, Palestine.

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Over 200 rockets fired into southern Israel from Gaza [IBA, Israel]

Over the last four days, some 200 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza. Most of them have either fallen harmlessly into open fields or have been intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. However, a few missiles did cause some damage.

Gaza terrorists fired more than a dozen rockets at Israel's Negev community as the escalation on the country's southern border entered its fourth day. Code red alerts and air raid sirens sounded frequently across the entire southern region in the Gaza vicinity communities in Sderot, to Be'er Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon and Gan Yavne, followed by the sounds of exploding projectiles. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. At least 5 Grad rockets were fired at Be'er Sheva, and the Iron Dome battery station in the area was successfully engaged numerous times; at least seven missiles were intercepted. Two rockets were fired at Ashdod and both were intercepted by Iron Dome; no injuries or damage were reported. Rockets were also reported in the area of the Shar Negev regional council and near Gdera.

In Ashdod, a Grad rocket fired from Gaza slammed into the center of the city. Cars were demolished and storefronts damaged. An 80-year-old woman was hit by flying glass and received lacerations. Others in the area suffered shock. Until then, Ashdod had remained relatively untouched by the rocket fire, because those aimed at the city were shot down by the Iron Dome missile defense system.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israel Air Force air strikes targeting rocket launching operations killed three terrorists this morning. The IDF said it carried out nine air attacks against rocket-launching sites and a weapons storage facility. Islamic Jihad said two of its terrorists were killed in two separate raids, one while on a motorcycle. IDF sources say the air strike targeted an ammunitions store on the ground floor of a residential building. Palestinian sources say the strike had been aimed at the commander of a network of missile-firing cells.

Israel officials have made clear that they do not intend for the air strikes to expand into a ground war. Nonetheless, Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon said the possibility of a ground offensive did exist, saying Israel would keep targeting terrorists and their infrastructure in Gaza until terror groups internalized that it is not in their interest to fire at Israel.

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Ehud Barak: Israel will continue strikes as long rocket fire from Gaza Strip persists [IBA, Israel]

As long as the rocket fire from the Gaza Strip continues, Israel will not stop striking terror targets inside the Hamas-run enclave, says Ehud Barak, who reacted to the latest escalation in the south during a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Giampaolo di Pala. The pair discussed strategic cooperation between the countries. The Italian expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself, but also called on both sides to resume negotiations, saying it was the key to achieving peace and stability in the region.

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Migron settlers agree to relocate to another West Bank settlement [IBA, Israel]

After a decade of disagreement and a final 18-month round of negotiations, representatives of the illegal outpost of Migron have reached an agreement with the government. Some 50 families will evacuate their West Bank homes in order to avoid forcible removal, the demolition of their homes, and possible civil war. The three hundred residents will relocate to state-owned land within the existing Geva Binyamin settlement by November 30 of 2015, just two kilometers from their current community. They can also construct new homes in an area of their hilltop near the Psagot Winery.

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Investigation reveals Israel's Shin Bet humiliates Palestinian women detainees [Palestine TV, Ramallah]

Presenter, Female #1
An Israeli committee filed a petition to the occupation government's Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, requesting he orders a ban on torturing and humiliating Palestinian female prisoners by interrogators of the occupation's intelligence agency.

Reporter, Male #1
For years, the focus of attention has been on the torture male prisoners endure. But an Israeli report revealed the ugly face of the occupation's violations of the rights of female prisoners. An Israeli committee filed a petition to the Israeli government's Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, demanding he issues an order to ban the torture and humiliation of Palestinian women prisoners by the Israeli Shin Bet.

Guest, Female #2 (Bashra al-Tawil, Former Prisoner)
The thing that bothered me the most was the strip search. It happened in the prison, and they would strip search me every time I would go to court. It is very painful, very painful of course, both physically and psychologically.

Reporter, Male #1
The Israeli committee also unveiled the Shin Bet's means of dealing with female prisoners by collecting the testimonies of 29 women prisoners who were recently arrested and interrogated by Shin Bet. The women's affidavits summarizes the humiliation, interrogation methods, severe beating, and strip searches they endured in front of the wardens.

Guest, Male #2 (Murad Jadallah, Dameer Organization Legal Researcher)
Yes, we are aware of the issue, and we have information pointing that Israel plans to implement a strip searching policy for male and female prisoners. We fear this policy could turn into a pretext to abuse and sexually assault Palestinian male and female prisoners.

Reporter, Male #1
The female prisoners' suffering is not limited to these scenes. One of them spoke of sexual harassment attempts and multiple rape threats. If these facts are alarming, then what is happening behind the walls of such prisons exposes the hidden, and reveals the extent of the occupation's brutality that targets female prisoners and turns tormenting them into an art form. Berou Jumhour, Palestine TV.

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The Taliban vows revenge after US soldier massacres 16 Afghans [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived to Afghanistan on a surprise visit. Merkel met with German troops stationed at the country's northern region of Mazar-e-Sharif. Germany has the third largest army contingent of the NATO-led international forces. Berlin reduced its troops to 4,900 last February, with plans to completely withdraw by the end of 2014. Merkel's visit to Afghanistan comes as tension continues to rage between the government of Kabul and the Afghans on one side, and the US-led ISAF forces on the other over the Kandahar massacre, in which 16 Afghan villagers, all of them women and children, were killed by a US soldier. The incident prompted the Afghan government to hint that it may delay the signing of a strategic deal with Washington. Meanwhile, the Taliban movement vowed to seek revenge for the victims. Al-Seghair Salam has the details.

Reporter, Male #1
The rift between Washington and Kabul seems to be widening, especially amid the incidents of gunfire repeated from the air and the ground. Most of the incidents are usually committed by US troops working under the auspices of the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, and most of the victims are usually Afghan civilians. In the latest incident, described as the "Kandahar Massacre," a US soldier, said to be "insane," opened fire on Afghan villagers, killing 16.

Guest, Female #2
The Americans killed my 2-year-old son. Was my child a member of the Taliban? Believe me, I have never met a 2-year-old Taliban fighter. The Americans are humiliating us.

Reporter, Male #1
The intensifying rage of the residents was echoed by the government of Kabul, which said the Kandahar incident may harm the US-Afghan strategic agreement, authorizing a long-term US troop presence in the country. Meanwhile, the Taliban vowed to seek revenge and escalate its retaliatory attacks on Americans. In a phone conversation with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, US President Barack Obama described the Kandahar incident as "shocking." A similar statement was issued by NATO.

Guest, Male #2 (Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary-General)
Obviously, incidents such as these undermine the population's trust in the Coalition forces. We are here to help the Afghan people, who must understand that they need our efforts in order to create a better future. But it is clear that burning the Quran and this type of attack on civilians undermines the trust they have in us.

Reporter, Male #1
The repercussions of that broken trust between the two sides was visible on the ground, especially as NATO troops continue to come under friendly fire by Afghan soldiers trained by international forces. This indicates that rebuilding trust is becoming a very difficult task to achieve.

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Yemeni soldiers join protests calling for Saleh's prosecution [Press TV, Iran]

In Yemen, anti-regime protestors, along with many members of the military, have taken to the streets, calling on the new president to heed their demands. The demonstrators in several cities are calling for the release of thousands of prisoners. They also demand the deposed ruler's relatives be sacked from government positions. The protestors want the prosecution of Ali Abdullah Saleh and his aides. The protestors accuse Washington and Riyadh of trying to put an end to their revolution.

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US drone attacks kill 60 people in Yemen over the weekend [Press TV, Iran]

US drone strikes have killed scores of people in southern Yemen over the past few days. The attacks in the provinces of Bayda and Abyan have left over 60 people dead. The government says those who were killed in the raid were militants, but locals dispute the claim and say the victims were innocent civilians. The government also says its forces were responsible for some of the attacks, a claim which locals also dispute. US drone attacks on Sunday claimed the lives of three more people in Abyan. Reports says several missiles hit an area in the city of Ja'ar. Witnesses spotted a US drone and two F-16s in the area before the attack.

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Syria dominates UK-led Security Council debate on the 'Arab Spring' [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian Revolution's General Commission said 88 people were killed across the country today by the Syrian security's gunfire. Most of them died in the neighborhoods of Karm al-Zaytoun and al-Ashira. The Syrian government denied the allegation, and held armed opposition groups responsible for killing a family in al-Ashira neighborhood. Government forces are carrying out a campaign of raids and arrests, and attacks in Dara'a, the countryside of Damascus, and various parts of Idlib, Hama and Aleppo.

Reporter, Male #1
Reports of atrocities committed in the city of Homs provoked the anger of the Syrian opposition, while the government accused armed dissidents of committing these crimes. The army and security's military operations are not limited to this disaster-stricken city; other areas are facing similar campaigns. The Syrian army, which has been launching widescale attacks for weeks, says it is targeting armed extremists. However, civilians are paying the price.

Reporter, Male #1
In al-Qamishli, which holds a Kurdish majority, thousands of citizens demonstrated, and were confronted by gunfire, according to activists. Activists uploaded these images online. They were taken in the northern part of the country, and activists are seen confronting Syrian state media over accusations they are faking their videos. In Aleppo, the university campus and other neighborhoods witnessed demonstrations. The opposition said cities in the countryside of Damascus were stormed, dozens were arrested, and victims were either shot by snipers or killed. Protests also erupted in the villages and cities of Huran. In Idlib, the escalation of the government forces' military operation indicates the city may be among the next targets by the regime.

Reporter, Male #1
The main goal is to eliminate the Free Syrian Army. However, the popular movement that takes to the street on a daily basis has announced its solidarity with the defected military members. Meanwhile, the bloody violence continues to escalate. The Syrian government is racing against time, and trying to take advantage of the international and regional community's stagnating position on the situation in Syria. The regime's loyalists view this position as a victory, while the opposition considers it a failure. Many protestors here call it a conspiracy. Wael al-Hajjar, BBC.

Presenter, Female #1
British Foreign Minister William Hague called for supporting the countries of what is known as the "Arab Spring," and providing them with the necessary monetary funds at the Security Council. At a Security Council headed by the UK, Hague said a resolution must be reached on the events in Syria.

Guest, Male #2 (William Hague, British Foreign Minister)
The United Kingdom has convened this meeting for two important reasons: First, to call for intensified international efforts to support political and economic freedom in the Middle East, while respecting the sovereignty of Arab nations. This includes meaningful assistance to Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and Libya as they strive to make a success of their transitions. And second, to call once again for urgent, essential Security Council action to stem the bloodshed in Syria. The Arab Spring, as it has become known, is already the most significant event of the early 21st century.

Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton called on the nations of the Security Council, specifically Russia and China, not to impede any international resolution that calls for ending the killing and beginning a political transitional in Syria.

Guest, Female #2 (Hillary Clinton, US State Secretary)
We believe that now is the time for all nations, even those who have previously blocked our efforts, to stand behind the humanitarian and political approach spelled out by the Arab League. The international community should say with one voice, without hesitation or caveat, that the killing of innocent Syrians must stop, and a political transition must begin.

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Saudi university students boycott classes in a rare show of dissent [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Student protests in Saudi Arabia expanded to a number of universities in the kingdom. Students demonstrated at the Faculty of Technology and Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, the Faculty of Science and Society in Abha, and the Faculty of Education in al-Namas. This comes after a female student was killed and 54 others were injured in protests at Abha University.

Reporter, Female #2
In what was described as a rare form of dissent by women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, thousands of female and male students at King Khalid University in the southwestern Saudi city of Abha expanded their student strike in response to a call by university female students. The call came in response to the repression they were subjected to last Wednesday, when one female student was killed, and 54 others were injured. Regime forces arrested student Mujahid al-Ghanim from the university campus for supporting students in their demonstrations. The protests expanded from King Khalid University to the Faculty of Science and Society in Abha, and the Faculty of Education in al-Namas.

Reporter, Female #2
In the holy city of al-Medina, Taibah University expelled a student for criticizing the university's deteriorating conditions during a meeting with the school's principal. The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information condemned the use of violence to disperse a sit-in by students demanding their rights. The organization asked that students be granted their freedoms, and demanded the release of the detainees.

Reporter, Female #2
These incidents, along with the arbitrary arrests of lawyers and bloggers, and the detainment of prisoners of conscience several years ago, were depicted by Arabic newspapers as signs that the arrival of the Arab Spring to the kingdom is a mere question of time. Newspapers are saying the fundamental factors the kingdom relies on to enhance internal stability include "defensive bribes," historical alliances with religious institutions, suppressing the opposition, and receiving support from the West, but that the foundation of those factors have started to shake under the pressure of the growing challenges.

Reporter, Female #2
According to the Carnegie Institution, 16 men received long sentences after attempting to establish a human rights organization. The founder of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association was also arrested in May of last year, as well as dozens of members of the Umma Islamic Party that demanded larger representation and an end to absolute monarchy. These developments come as the first anniversary of what is known as the "Day of Anger" is looming over Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, reports point to discussions of enacting a new law to fight terrorism in the kingdom that would allow detaining individuals without any charges in accordance with a broad definition of terrorism, which includes smearing the reputation of the state, and undermining its position in the world. Unemployment has become a main issue in the kingdom. According to official figures, 10 percent of the population is unemployed. However, unofficial figures say 20 percent is unemployed, and 22 percent lives under the poverty line.