2-5-15

* Netanyahu to Jordan's King Abdullah: World should unite against 'barbaric cruelty' of ISIS Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned Jordan's King Abdullah II on Thursday and extended his condolences to him and the Jordanian people following Islamic State's grisly murder of captive Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh.

* 30,000 troops, 6 rapid units: NATO increases military power in Eastern Europe The NATO Response Force in Europe might increase to 30,000 troops from the current 13,000.

* Ukraine crisis: Leaders in new diplomatic push for peace Diplomatic efforts are under way to end renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine.

* Islamic State selling, crucifying, burying children alive in Iraq Islamic State militants are selling abducted Iraqi children at markets as sex slaves, and killing other youth, including by crucifixion or burying them alive.

* Sources: Jordan avenges pilot's execution, strikes ISIS targets in Syria Jordanian fighter jets flew on Thursday over the hometown of a pilot killed by Islamic State terrorists after ending a mission against militants in Syria, a security official said.

* Gaza groups condemn Egypt's branding of Hamas as terror group Various armed groups in the Gaza Strip on Thursday condemned an Egyptian court's decision to ban Hamas's military wing, Izaddin Kassam.

* Rabbi removed from Temple Mount for challenging Muslim heckler A rabbi, who has been a long-time Temple Mount rights activist and visitor, was removed by police from the holy site Thursday morning for responding "Hashem, He is God," when a Muslim worshiper shouted "Allahu akbar" at him during his visit.

* Arms to Ukraine debate divides Western allies, experts Estonia has called on the West to arm Ukraine, but the question remains divisive both inside Europe and in the US.

* Reports: Damascus Suffers Major Rocket Attack Thursday Fighting continued and intensified in and around Damascus Thursday, as rebels pounded several neighborhoods of the city with rockets and missiles, Arab media reported.

* House Dems Bully Israelis to Cancel Netanyahu's Speech House Democrats, knowing their primary allegiance is to Barack Obama, met Wednesday with Israeli officials in an attempt to forestall Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled speech to Congress about a nuclear Iran.