Today sees a noticeable decrease in coverage of the conflict in Gaza and Southern Israel as the ceasefire holds and many journalists have left the area, often redeployed to Iraq. The FT, Telegraph, Guardian, Independent, Daily Mail, and Sun all report that the five day extension to the ceasefire seems to be holding.

A number of papers reported optimism around the negotiations in Cairo for a permanent ceasefire. The Guardian quotes Palestinian negotiators as saying that a deal is close, and that they are “not interested in more bloodshed.” The Independent notes that Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya praised the Egyptian negotiators and the Independent i notes that more Palestinians are returning to their homes.

The Telegraph reports on a large rally held in Tel Aviv last night to support the residents of Southern Israel. The piece quotes the Mayor of Sderot, who called for a permanent solution to end rocket fire, whether a political or a military settlement.

The Guardian carries a focus piece looking at the Palestinian families that have lost the most members in the Gaza conflict.

In the Independent and Independent i, Kim Sengupta reflects on a month in Gaza, including witnessing casualties first-hand and some of the journalistic challenges, such as confirming whether a target in Gaza was linked to terrorist groups.

The Times reports that the White House has removed the automatic authorisation for Israeli requests for weapons supplies, adding a layer of political approval. It also notes that a shipment of accurate Hellfire missiles, requested under this automatic scheme, has been suspended pending White House authorisation. The FT carries a letter from Omer Barlev MK, criticising Business Secretary Vince Cable’s decision on export licences and noting that it gives Hamas “an incentive to fire rockets against Israel in order to win a major propaganda victory.”

The Times, Telegraph and Independent i report on Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’s interview on the Today programme yesterday. The Telegraph notes that he said that if Israel laid down its arms it would cease to exist, and was critical of uncompassionate comments by comedian Joan Rivers. The Times also quotes Board of Deputies CEO Gillian Merron, and focuses on the discomfort and lack of safety reportedly felt by many British Jews

The Guardian reports that Sir Trevor Chinn and others have stopped funding the Tricycle Theatre after it cancelled the UK Jewish Film Festival’s booking.

Israeli papers lead on the solidarity rally with the south; the Jerusalem Post sums up the mood well under the headline “Even one rocket is too many”. Israel Hayom also reports on PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with mayors of southern towns.

Haaretz reports an Egyptian official as saying that Israel has essentially accepted the Palestinian unity government.

Israel Hayom, Yediot Ahronot and Haaretz  all cover the US Administration’s decision to scrutinise arms shipments to Israel. Most papers note that this decision is likely to have no real impact on Israeli security but is important symbolically. Maariv reports that Finance Minister Yair Lapid said that “relations with the US are a strategic asset that must not be harmed.”