A UN fact-finding mission into the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which led to the death of 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, says it has evidence that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes.

The World Council of Churches has called upon the Israeli government for "an open-ended freeze" on all settlement construction and expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The current situation for Israelis and Palestinians is miserable and stalemated, says Harry Hagopian. But in analysing the role, outlook and prospects for each of the protagonists in the region, he argues that a break with the politics of despair is essential.

A Lutheran-run initiative in Beit Jala has been obstructed by Israeli troops who prevented participants from reaching one of the event sites yesterday morning