Israel starts 'pilot' prison visits from Gaza relatives for first time in seven years [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Israeli occupation authorities allowed a limited number of relatives of Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip to visit their children for the first time in seven years.

Presenter, Male #1
The International Committee of the Red Cross transported dozens of the prisoners' relatives to Ramon Prison in the Negev Desert, where their children are languishing. The visit is the first in over seven years.

Presenter, Female #1
The visit comes in accordance with an agreement between the Israeli Prison Service and the prisoners to end their last hunger strike.

Reporter, Male #2
This woman is counting down the minutes and seconds to a meeting she's long awaited. She will see her husband, even if from behind bars. It is the visit that the prisoners' relatives have been deprived of for several years under Israel's orders. For her daughter, the issue is a little different. She was an infant when her father was arrested 22 years ago. And today, she is older. She has since gotten married, but has not seen him.

Guest, Female #2 (Prisoner Mohamed Nashbat's Daughter)
We were happy, and I was happy that they are finally allowing us to visit. But at the same time I was sad; I mean, why aren't we allowed to visit? I am the prisoner's daughter and I have a right to see him; I last saw him eight years ago.

Guest, Female #3
I've never been allowed to visit.

Reporter, Male #2
Hajja Um Ibrahim Barood has a different story. She has been prevented from visiting her son for 15 years, under the pretext of security. Today, the visit brought Um Ibrahim great joy.

Guest, Female #3 (Prisoner Ibrahim Barood's Mother)
How can I describe it to you? I can't believe that I will see him. I want to hug him, but sadly there is no way for me to hug him and greet him. There is no way for my hand to touch him; I can't hold his hand. I can't touch him and he can't touch me.

Reporter, Male #2
At dawn, the prisoners' relatives who were allowed to visit were waiting at the International Red Cross headquarters in Gaza.

Guest, Female #4
I am very very happy that I can see my son. Very happy! But my happiness is not complete, because my children are not with me.

Reporter, Male #2
Under the pretext that the visit is a pilot, it was subjected to Israel's strict conditions. Regardless, the Red Cross and the prisoners' relatives hope the visits will continue, and include all Palestinian prisoners.

Guest, Male #3 (Ayman Shehabi, International Committee of the Red Cross Spokesman in Gaza)
We hope that it includes all prisoners in the Israeli prisons, and that visits are permitted to all families.

Reporter, Male #2
Today's visit is an incomplete step, but it is headed in the right direction. A step that shows that the prisoners and their families have a long path to attaining their legitimate rights, most notably the right to freedom. Wael al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeera, Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza.

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Hillary Clinton in Israel for talks after Egypt visit [IBA, Israel]

After nearly two years since her last visit to Israel, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in the country for a series of high-level talks with a number of Israeli leaders. She spoke with President Shimon Peres on a range of issues, including Iran's nuclear program, Egypt, Syria, and peace negotiations with the Palestinians. They also discussed the matter of releasing spy Jonathan Pollard. Clinton was also greeted at the Foreign Ministry by Minister Avigdor Lieberman on her way to a visit to Egypt, where she met newly-elected Islamist President Mohamed Morsi for the first time. She is slated to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Red Cross: Syrian conflict has escalated to civil war [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
Syria's Local Coordination Committees said 44 civilians were killed today by Syrian security forces in different cities. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights clarified that clashes are taking place in some regions and neighborhoods in Damascus, especially in al-Midan, where armored vehicles were deployed for the first time. On the other hand, the official Syrian news agency SANA said government forces caused losses within the ranks of a terrorist group in Deir az-Zour.

Reporter, Male #2
Syrian television said it was providing this live coverage from the neighborhood of al-Midan in Damascus. The neighborhood looks deserted amid the presence of security forces. The government's television and the regime's supporters accuse the media of fabricating the news. They say the shelling of the neighborhoods of the city of Damascus that was reported by sources of the opposition's activists never happened.

Reporter, Male #2
According to Syria's official news agency SANA, a group of gunmen fled the neighborhood of al-Tadamon on Sunday, and security forces chased them. Of course, the official story has generally stayed the same over the long months of the uprising. The official media's accusation that malicious satellite TV channels are partly responsible for Syrian bloodshed is a chorus repeated by the regime's supporters.

Reporter, Male #2
In this framework, Syrian media spoke of the coverage of the unconfirmed defection of General Rustom Ghazaleh, a leader in the Syrian military intelligence. Syrian channel al-Dunya reported that Ghazaleh was quick to confirm his loyalty to the political leadership, and denied that some of his family members sought refuge in Jordan. Activists had posted clips online saying they depict al-Ghazaleh's brother-in-law.

Reporter, Male #2
The Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman's version of the story on the events in al-Tremseh in Hama's countryside, and specifically in relation to the use of heavy weapons, was contradicted by the international observers' delegation.

Guest, Female #1 (Sausan Ghosheh, Spokeswoman for UN Mission in Syria)
In this attack, there was use of heavy weapons on residential areas. The observers confirmed that weapons were used directly and indirectly, including artillery and mortars.

Reporter, Male #2
The opposition accused government forces of using heavy weapons to target neighborhoods in the city of Hama on Monday. They posted images online to confirm their claim.

Reporter, Male #2
Clashes were reportedly ongoing between the opposition's fighters and government forces in some parts of the capital amid an intensive security deployment in many parts of the countryside of Damascus. The bombardment and clashes also reached the cities and towns of Homs, Idlib, Deir az-Zour, and Daraa provinces.

Guest, Male #3 (Firas Hurani, High Revolutionary Military Council in Daraa)
A group of honorable members and soldiers manning a checkpoint in the city of Sheikh Meskeen defected last night.

Reporter, Male #2
The crisis in Syria is a civil war and a "non-international armed conflict," according to the International Committee of the Red Cross that made that same statement during the third month of the Libyan uprising.

Reporter, Male #2
The scale and expansion of the clashes discussed by the committee will not be prevented with the continued protests in some parts of the country. Many participants have announced their support for the armed option to confront what they consider the violence of the authorities. Wael al-Hajjar, BBC.

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Lavrov accuses West of blackmailing Russia over Syria [Press TV, Iran]

Russia is saying that it is being blackmailed by the West to accept intervention in Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that some participants in the Geneva talks were pressuring Russia to agree to the drafts of the new UN Security Council resolution on Syria, threatening not to extend the mandate of the mission otherwise. Lavrov opposes sanctions or military action against Syria, insisting that international players should instead try to convince both sides of the conflict to engage in dialogue.

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UAE exiles stateless activist to Thailand [Press TV, Iran]

The UAE sent prominent human rights activist Ahmed Abdul Khaleq to exile in Thailand. He was arrested in May as part of a government crackdown. He is among five people arrested for calling for reform. The Persian Gulf nation stripped him of his citizenship and swapped it for citizenship of the Comoros Islands.

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Bahrainis hold mock funeral for Saudi victims killed in Qatif [Press TV, Iran]

Bahrainis are angry at the killing of a third activist in less than ten days in neighboring Saudi Arabia's Qatif. They have taken to the streets in a mock funeral procession, shouting anti-Saudi government slogans and condemned the killing of the activist.

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Anti-NATO sentiment continues to grow in Pakistan [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Thousands of Pakistanis in several cities protested the reopening of NATO supply routes into Afghanistan. They warned the government of marching towards Islamabad if its policy doesn't change.

Reporter, Male #1
NATO supply routes start from here, the coastal city of Karachi in the south, and extend to the Pakistani-Afghan border in the north. And also from here, cries of indignation are unleashed at the government's violation of the people's sovereignty over their land, with a reopening of supply routes to the American and Western forces occupying Afghanistan.

Reporter, Male #1
The protestors say there is an obligation to cut ties with NATO forces, and end the cooperation between Islamabad and Washington. According to a majority of the Pakistani street, this would have a stronger and more powerful impact than receiving a casual and late apology from American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The apology was necessary to reduce the pressure on the foreign forces that have received painful blows recently.

Guest, Male #2
The people are protesting, and expressing their opinion that supplies to NATO must stop, and drone attacks must also stop.

Reporter, Male #1
The reason for the Pakistani street's mobilization with such great momentum, as witnessed in other cities as well, is related to the government's decision to hide at times, and reveal at others, its foreign policy changes and violations of state sovereignty, in order to achieve strategic American goals in the region.

Guest, Male #3
Pakistan must review its foreign policies. Our foreign policies must be independent.

Reporter, Male #1
The protests that covered the streets of Karachi is another chapter in a series of protests in Pakistan, and are similar to those held in the city of Peshawar two days ago, near the Afghan border. The Defense Council of Pakistan coalition that consists of 40 political parties and religious groups has threatened to escalate these demonstrations.

Presenter, Female #1
Four gunmen were killed when an explosive vest exploded during an attack on an intelligence center in the city of Bannu, in northeastern Pakistan. The attack occurred in a tribal area near the Afghan border, and lasted three hours.

Presenter, Female #1
Security forces cordoned off the scene and exchanged gunfire with the attackers; the forces managed to arrest the fifth attacker. Local security sources confirmed that an officer was killed in the clashes, and that the assailants held a number of security forces hostage. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

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Dubious progress as Sudans' presidents meet face-to-face in Addis Ababa [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
Despite the optimistic and encouraging remarks expressed by al-Khartoum's ruling party over the handshake and meeting between the two Sudans' presidents on the sidelines of the African Union summit, talks between the two sides remain deadlocked, and that may lower the ceiling of expectations.

Presenter, Male #1
Analysts believe the meeting will have little effect on the outcome of the AU summit slated to discuss issues besides the Sudanese crisis. Both Sudanese rivals need to lower their ceiling of demands, especially in regard to issues related to the border, security, and oil. They must accept the African mediators before the UN Security Council's deadline expires next August. Sami al-Shinawi reports from al-Khartoum.

Reporter, Male #2
A handshake and a meeting between al-Bashir and Salva Kiir took place in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. For its part, the ruling party in al-Khartoum described the event as "a positive gesture," which will help move the negotiation process forward. This new rapprochement effort comes after the stalemate between the two sides reached an explosive level. Al-Khartoum's government hopes the positive atmosphere will be reflected on the negotiation process.

Guest, Male #3 (Rabii Abed al-Atti, Leader of the Ruling National Congress Party)
I believe this round of talks has taken all issues into consideration. All parties have agreed to adopt a strategic approach, which indicates that a positive atmosphere is dominating the current round of negotiations.

Reporter, Male #2
The issue between al-Khartoum and Juba will be a hot topic on the agenda of the African Union leaders' meeting in Addis Ababa. Observers believe the issues will be difficult to maneuver, especially considering the rigid positions adopted by the two sides, adding that they did not find anything in the meeting between Bashir and Salva Kiir that calls for optimism. They added that Juba's hesitation implies its intention to try to transfer the issues to an international arena.

Guest, Male #4 (Othman al-Sayyed, Director of the Center for the Middle East Studies)
Juba believes that the international community, particularly the US, will stand behind it. So it's in its best interest to have the case transferred from the African Union to the UN Security Council.

Reporter, Male #2
The African mediation has failed so far to resolve the crisis between Juba and al-Khartoum, as the stalled issues have continued to linger since the start of negotiations, and as the situation has been deteriorating in both countries.

Reporter, Male #2
The handshake between al-Bashir and Salva Kiir is an indication of a breakthrough in the crisis, as confirmed by the ruling party. However, others believe it's a mere courtesy in an old friendship, ruling out that such a meeting will be able to cool the tense atmosphere surrounding the negotiations, especially amid Juba's desire to search for a solution outside the African court. Sami al-Shinawi, Dubai TV, al-Khartoum.

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Iraq military steps up operations against terror groups [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
Deputy Interior Minister Ahmed al-Khafaji denied terrorist groups infiltrated Iraq through its borders with neighboring countries.

Presenter, Female #1
In a statement to al-Markaz al-Khabary, an Iraqi media network, al-Khafaji clarified that ministry forces are conducting continuous patrols on the border, assuring that border patrol forces were able to control the area and prevent all border violations. He added that infiltrations by terrorist groups have significantly decreased over the past two years.

Presenter, Female #1
The significant decrease in terrorist operations in Ninawa Province is the result of the security services' repeated successes, credited to the continuous cooperation of civilians and the activation of intelligence efforts.

Presenter, Male #1
Over the last few days, the army's second division confiscated a large number of weapons and explosives, arresting many members of terrorist groups.

Reporter, Male #2
A security operation by the Iraqi army's second division in Mosul led to the confiscation of a large amount of weapons and explosives, and the arrest of a group of terrorists. Major General Ali al-Fereiji, the commander of the division, confirmed that these successful operations were the result of the citizens' cooperation and the efforts of the intelligence agency.

Reporter, Male #2
Al-Fereigi also assured that terrorist operations have decreased in comparison to the last period, which indicates that security forces are in charge, and have a tight grip on all areas.

Reporter, Male #2
Arresting such dangerous terrorist groups is a good and positive indication that the second division of the Iraqi army is in control of the city over the sources of terrorism, and is also controlling the security situation in the city. From inside the headquarters of the Iraqi army's second division, Khaled al-Duri, Al-Iraqiya.