The Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Independent, Financial Times, Daily Mail and Metro all report that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night said in a televised address that he is committed to destroying the Gaza tunnels constructed by Hamas to launch attacks on Israel and will restore quiet for Israel’s citizens, even if it means an extended military operation. All publications cover the fighting which intensified yesterday afternoon and evening, with 10 Israeli soldiers and a number of Palestinians killed. The Telegraph online updates overnight activity, reporting that Israeli air strikes targeted the home of Hamas’s leader in Gaza Ismael Haniyeh and that rockets were fired towards Tel Aviv.

The Sun and Daily Mirror highlight an explosion in a public garden in the Beach refugee camp in Gaza yesterday which reportedly killed 10 people, including 8 children. The IDF rejected Palestinian reports that the explosion was the result of an Israeli drone strike and said that it had been caused by errant rocket fire from Palestinian terror groups. The bloody aftermath of the explosion is described by both David Blair in the Telegraph and Kim Sengupta in the Independent. The G2 section of the Guardian includes a four-page eyewitness account of life in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge.

The Guardian reports that the White House yesterday strongly defended US Secretary of State John Kerry, whose failed attempt to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas over the weekend was strongly criticised in the Israeli media as having pandered to Hamas’s demands. In the Telegraph, US Editor Peter Foster analyses the tension between the United States and Israel over the issue but concludes there is likely to be little lasting damage to their bilateral relations. Meanwhile, the Evening Standard covers a statement adopted by the United Nations Security Council yesterday which called for an unconditional ceasefire.

The Financial Times says that despite the deaths of more than 50 soldiers, Israeli public opinion is broadly in favour of continuing the military operation in Gaza, until threats such as the tunnels and rocket fire have been neutralised. In the Guardian, Yuli Novack of the Israeli anti-occupation NGO Breaking the Silence, calls on the Israeli public to speak out over the human cost of air strikes in Gaza.

The Independent i includes a feature on the opinions of West Bank Palestinians in Kalandiya near Ramallah, where a major clash took place last week between local residents and Israeli security forces. Those interviewed appear determined to continue to protest against Israel’s operation in Gaza.

In the Israeli media, Maariv, Haaretz and Makor Rishon lead with the deaths yesterday of 10 Israeli soldiers yesterday. Five died in a tunnel attack near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, but in the ensuing battle several terrorists were killed and according to Israel Radio news were prevented from dragging the body of one of the soldiers back into Gaza. Israel Hayom’s front page headline summarises the mood, saying, “A difficult day: We grit our teeth and fight.” Nonetheless, Makor Rishon highlights a comment made yesterday by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, who said that many achievements had been made by the IDF so far.

There is plenty of commentary on the next steps especially following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s televised address yesterday evening. In Maariv, Ben Caspit warns that “the image of victory today belongs to Hamas … The image could have been different if Israel had a true, strong, and determined leadership.” However, Nahum Barnea in Yediot Ahronot warns against a “gut reaction” of all-out military action and instead calls for a “smart reaction,” noting that, “Talk about expanding the operation beyond the tunnels and the access shafts is idle talk. There currently isn’t a security cabinet minister who has presented a clearly-formulated alternative.”

Israel Radio news reports that US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday said that the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip is an essential part of any long-term ceasefire. It follows Israeli criticism of Kerry’s failed attempt to broker a ceasefire over the weekend.