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Media Summary

05/08/2014

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The 72-hour ceasefire in Israel and Gaza came too late for the early editions of the newspapers. The Guardian reports that both Israel and Hamas have accepted a ceasefire, starting 8am local time today. The Independent i also reports on the ceasefire.

An earlier edition of the Guardian led on the “breakthrough” between Palestinian negotiators in Cairo, and quotes the deputy secretary-general of Islamic Jihad as saying a deal would be reached. The Independent noted that Quartet envoy Tony Blair was also present at the Cairo talks, along with US special envoy Frank Lowenstein.

The Independent, Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Express, Star, Sun, Mirror and Metro all  report claims that a British aid worker called Kadir Islam was killed in Gaza. The Times notes that British charities working in Gaza did not know of anyone by that name, and the facts are still being investigated. The Star and Sun quote Prime Minister David Cameron as being “extremely concerned” by the reports.

The Guardian, Independent, Independent i, Sun, Telegraph and Metro report the two terror attacks in Jerusalem yesterday, one by a digger-driver who ran over pedestrians, killing one, before ramming a bus, and another by a gunman on a moped who shot a soldier near Hebrew University. The digger-driver was killed by security forces, while the gunman escaped.

The Times reports on Palestinians returning to their homes in Gaza, and some of the damage they have found. The Independent describes the IDF’s continuing operations yesterday in Rafah as “brutal revenge” for the killing of Lt Hadar Goldin.

The FT and Mirror report that the UK will review arms sales to Israel. The FT quotes a Downing Street spokesperson saying that they are “currently reviewing all export licences to Israel to confirm that we think they are appropriate”, a similar statement was issued by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The Telegraph and Mirror report on the cancellation of the ATP Negev Israel tennis tournament, due to take place next month, due to safety concerns linked to the current conflict.

The leader in the Independent criticises all politicians for not condemning Israel in stronger terms. The Independent i has a short piece on Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.

Israeli papers all lead on the ceasefire agreement. Yisrael Hayom reports that an Israeli delegation is heading to Cairo. Alex Fishman in Yediot Ahronot sees this ceasefire as a defeat for Hamas, and Yossi Melman in Maariv notes that Hamas has essentially accepted the Egyptian ceasefire proposal which it rejected three weeks ago. Israel Hayom reports that the IDF has now demolished the final known tunnel into Israel.

There is also substantial coverage of the two terrorist attacks in Jerusalem yesterday afternoon, including photos of the digger attack as it happened.