Hamas

In the West Bank, everyone calls him "The Godfather". Munib al-Masri, 80, is not only the richest Palestinian in the Palestinian Territories; he is also one of the most influential. In his final years, he is obsessed by two goals: reconciling the Palestinians, and making peace with Israel. Our reporters met him and followed him on the road in the Middle East.

In Israel, increasing numbers of journalists are launching political careers, aiming to run in the country's coming parliamentary election. Next, Hamas leaders in Gaza allow rival movement Fatah to celebrate the anniversary of the secular party's existence, in a sign of improving ties between the two camps. Finally, Turkey removes hundreds of books from a list of censored works, as Ankara seeks to shake off criticism of its record on freedom of expression.

Human Rights Watch has published a report accusing Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, of running a criminal justice system rife with arbitrary arrests, torture and unfair trials. Hamas responded sharply, challenging the group's research. In a 43-page report titled 'Abusive System', HRW detailed seven cases and called for an immediate moratorium on capital punishment in the Gaza Strip, as well as an end to prosecutions of civilians in military courts.