Disputes - international:

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region.

Israel continues to monitor Iran’s nuclear capacity. The recent revelations by the US of secret facilities has escalated Israel’s concern and its call for the UN to take meaningful action.

Israel recently allowed 19 Palestinian women to leave Israel’s jails, in for a video of Israeli Sgt. Gilad Shalit, held captive by Hamas since 2006. Shalit sent love to his family, appealed for his freedom and held up a newspaper to prove the footage was recent.

By pulling on the heartstrings of Israelis, nearly all of whom have loved ones in the military, the video could increase domestic pressure on Israel's government to meet Hamas' demand for Shalit's release: freedom for hundreds of jailed militants.

In the footage, Shalit said, ''I hope the current government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu will not squander now the opportunity to reach an agreement and that I can finally realize my dream to be released,'' he said.

A spokesman for Netanyahu, Nir Hefetz, said that ''although the path to Gilad's release is still long and arduous, the fact that he is healthy and well encourages us all.'' He also held Hamas responsible for the soldier's well-being.

Shalit's capture and long captivity has touched a raw nerve in Israel, where people hold regular vigils for his release, motorists have bumper stickers that say ''Gilad lives'' and where one news anchor ends his broadcast each night by reciting the number of days Shalit has been held.

Some consider this moment a possible opening for further talks and a ratcheting down of Israel’s blockade of traffic and goods in and out of Gaza.

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 150,000-420,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in northern Israel) (2007)

Illicit drugs:

increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center