The Israeli government will pay over 2.5 million shekels to settlers who incurred losses on construction plans during a 10-month settlement building freeze in the West Bank.
Alleged attack, likely a protest against a possible Israeli compromise in the West Bank, comes amid a recent impasse in peace talks over the demand to extend the settlement freeze.
International diplomatic efforts to salvage the direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks kicked into high gear Friday with top EU and US officials set for a flurry of meetings in Jerusalem and Ramallah.
The United States is reportedly incensed over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of a draft letter that would have extended the freeze on West Bank settlement construction, formulated by advisers to the U.S. and Israeli leaders.
The Irene is the latest vessel to try to breach the 3-year-old embargo on the Palestinian territory in the wake of Israel's deadly flotilla raid in May.
Netanyahu calls on Abbas to continue sincere, good talks with goal of reaching historic peace agreement between two peoples; Abbas will not announce he is quitting talks.
Palestinian National Coalition leader Munib Al-Masri arrived in Gaza on Tuesday to discuss the ratification of a unity deal between rival movements Hamas and Fatah.
