In the Occupied Territories, Haaretz is reporting that the Palestinian group Hamas has rejected Mahmood Abbas’ position that the armed intifada has to end. On Tuesday Abbas called the armed uprising a mistake and said it must end.

Cuba Stages War Games; Signs Pact w/ Venezuela
In news from Cuba, the country’s armed forces are conducting its biggest military exercise in almost 20 years. Hundreds of thousands of troops and millions of civilians are expected to participate. The exercise is meant to be a warning to Washington that Cuba defend itself against a US attack. Meanwhile Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has traveled to Havana to meet with Cuban President Fidel Castro. They announced the formation of a new trade bloc to challenge the Free Trade Area of the Americas.