WORLD BRIEFS

ISRAEL: Pact ends early election talk

In a dramatic turn of events that could influence a possible strike on Iran, Israeli media reports early Tuesday indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached an agreement with the opposition Kadima Party for a unity government, canceling an early election. The Knesset debated long into the night over whether to break up ahead of early elections called for the fall. Knesset spokesman Yotam Yakir said no final vote was taken and parliament is not dispersing. Earlier Monday, the government proposed moving up the election from 2013 to this Sept. 4. The media reports said Netanyahu forged an agreement with Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz shortly before parliament was to vote to disperse. The appointment of Mofaz, a former military chief and defense minister, who has been a vocal critic of Israel striking Iran's nuclear sites on its own, is significant. The call for early elections had renewed speculation that an attack on Iran could come within months.

WEST BANK: Mass hunger strike begins

A bearded Islamist who lived on liquids and minerals for 66 days to protest his open-ended incarceration in Israel, winning his freedom, has inspired more than 1,000 other Palestinian prisoners to follow him. The prisoners have joined the strike in recent weeks, demanding better conditions and an end to imprisonment without charges. Israel does not want to be seen as caving in to prisoners, many of whom were involved in deadly attacks -- but it might face a harsh, even violent reaction if any of them die. Islamic Jihad and Hamas have spearheaded the hunger strike.

SYRIA: Elections divide 2 sides

Syrians voted in parliamentary elections Monday that the government praised as a milestone in promised reforms, but the opposition boycotted the polls, saying they were designed to strengthen President Bashar Assad's grip on power. It's a sign of the chasm separating the two sides, more than a year into a conflict that has killed more than 9,000 people.