The launch yesterday evening of an Israeli ground incursion into Gaza, with the aim of dismantling tunnels used for attacks on Israel and to damage Hamas infrastructure is covered widely. The Times, Telegraph, Independent, Guardian, Independent i, Daily Express and Daily Star all report that the decision by Israeli leaders came after a tunnel attack near an Israeli kibbutz was repelled yesterday morning and ceasefire talks in Cairo made no progress during the day as Gaza rocket fire on Israel continued. In the Guardian, Peter Beaumont says that the re-opening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is Hamas’s negotiating red line. Several articles note that a United Nations agency in Gaza discovered around 20 rockets being stored in a school it operates in Gaza, strengthening Israeli claims that Hamas is basing military activities in civilian facilities.

Nonetheless, a five-hour humanitarian ceasefire took place yesterday, punctuated by three mortars fired from Gaza. However, in the Independent, Kim Sengupta reports from Gaza on the brief relative quiet, which gave residents a chance to stock up on supplies.

The Times includes a feature on the difficulties facing Bedouins in southern Israel, whose homes are often not equipped with the protected areas necessary to guard against rocket fire from Gaza.

The Independent says that a senior official from Medecins Sans Frontieres, speaking from Beirut, has sharply criticised Israeli action in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Evening Standard reports comments made by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who accused Israel of “deliberately disproportionate” action.

The Independent online covers the return of teenager Tariq Abu Khedir to his home in Tampa, Florida. Recent mobile phone footage appeared to show Abu Khedir being beaten by Israeli border police in East Jerusalem during clashes which followed the murder of a Palestinian boy, a cousin of Abu Khadir. However, in the Daily Express, Frederick Forsyth contrasts the swift action taken by Israeli authorities in arresting the suspected murderers, with the failure of Palestinian authorities to help track down those responsible for the recent kidnapping and murdering of three Israeli teenagers.

The Israeli media this morning focuses fully on the ground operation into the Gaza Strip, which was launched last night. It is the headline in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom, which stresses that the aim of the incursion is to eliminate the tunnels which Hamas has used to launch attacks on Israel. Israel Radio news reports that two Israeli soldiers were lightly wounded in the fighting while in a separate incident an Israeli soldier was killed, possibly by ‘friendly fire.’ Eitan Haber in Yediot Ahronot summarises the public mood, writing “Our hearts are with the troops.”

Also writing in Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman says that Israel took great steps to avoid a ground operation, “But Hamas brought this ground offensive upon itself … by force, with provocation, arrogance and a misguided sense of power.” In Israel Hayom, Yoav Limor says that yesterday’s foiled tunnel attack by 13 Hamas terrorists was a significant factor in launching the ground operation yesterday.

Both Maariv and Israel Radio news report that Israel shot down an unmanned drone in the Ashkelon region. Israel Radio news also says that Egypt’s Foreign Minister is furious at Hamas for continuing the conflict with Israel rather than agreeing to a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Haaretz reports that three Jewish Israeli extremists, one 29-year-old and two 16-year-olds have been charged with the recent murder of Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khedir. Yesterday, Israel’s Ministry of Defence officially recognised Abu Khedir as a victim of terrorism as the investigation into his murder points to a nationalistic motive for the crime.