Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, March 4

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday there was "no reason" for early election over spiraling coalition crisis.

Before taking off to his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Netanyahu was asked if Israel is heading for early elections due to political infighting over the conscription of Jewish ultra-Orthodox into the army. (Israel-U.S.-Early Election)

- - - -

DAMASCUS -- The Syrian forces are targeting the rebel-held areas in Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus out of the designated times of the daily ceasefire in that area, said a statement on Sunday.

The military operations in Eastern Ghouta in the eastern countryside of Damascus came as a response to the rebels' mortar attacks and sniper fire on civilian areas in Damascus and its countryside, said the statement, adding that the army units captured several areas, including military bases, in Eastern Ghouta. (Syria-Eastern Ghouta-Rebels)

- - - -

RAMALLAH -- Palestinian Foreign Ministry slammed on Sunday a new Israeli plan to expand settlements in East Jerusalem, calling it part of "a plan to change the reality of the city."

"The ministry condemns, in the strongest terms, the unprecedented escalation of settlements construction along the occupied Palestinian territory and in Jerusalem," said the statement. (Jerusalem-Palestinians-Israel)

- - - -

JERUSALEM -- Israeli court on Sunday released to house arrest Netanyahu's former top adviser and a telecommunications tycoon, who had been held for two weeks over a high-profile corruption case.

The court sent Shaul Elovitch, the control holder of Israel's largest telecom company, Bezeq, and Nir Hefetz, Netanyahu's former media adviser and his close associate, to a 10-day long house arrest. (Israel-Netanyahu-Corruption) Enditem