Cyprus announced Sunday that it recognizes a Palestinian State in the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Cyprus is the first European Union member country that officially recognizes the Palestinian right to statehood..

Four Palestinians who were held in an Egyptian prison returned to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, when they escaped prison. The prisoners made their escape when thousands broke out of jails across Egypt amid an absence of police and chaos sparked by nationwide protests demanding the end of Hosni Mubarak's regime.

Also in Gaza, Egyptian Protests have affected the Efficiency of the Underground Tunnels. As underground tunnel trade has dropped, Gazans have reported fuel shortages. Gazans get most of their fuel from Egypt through these tunnels.


Israeli Special Forces raided homes in Silwan today at dawn, including that of banished al-Bustan Popular Committee member Adnan Ghaith, and attempted to arrest his son Oudai. When police attempted to him, the family refused to hand over the child. Police finally left the home on the condition that Oudai present himself at the police station at 10 am this morning.

That sums up our news for today, thank you for joining us from occupied Bethlehem, you have been listening to Palestine Today, from International Middle East Media Center. For more updates, please visit our website at www.imemc.org. This report has been brought to you by Husam Qassis and Colin Bell