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Media Summary

27/04/2015

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The Guardian online reports that Israel launched a pre-emptive air strike on Sunday night against a terrorist cell infiltrating the Israel-Syria border aiming to detonate an explosive device. The article notes that Israel has intentionally remained on the side lines of the Syrian conflict, but has occasionally taken action to prevent or respond to cross border attacks and is particularly wary of the build-up of Islamist forces on the Syrian border, including Hezbollah. Other media reports suggest that Israel launched two more strikes, one on Saturday and another last night, bot targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Syria.

The Independent i says that the Israeli army has indicted three soldiers for looting during last summer’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. They are charged with having stolen money from a Palestinian home and the report says that the IDF has unsuccessfully attempted to trace the home owner to repay the money. Meanwhile, the Times includes an account by a female Palestinian journalist of her complex journey from the Gaza Strip to London where she now works.

The Times also reports that Iran’s leadership is “Increasingly fearful” that US Congress could scupper the nascent nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany). President Obama recently agreed to hand Congress a 30-day period to review and respond to any final agreement between the two sides. Despite rhetoric from Tehran that it will walk away from an unsatisfactory deal, the article suggests that Iran’s leaders are desperate for sanctions relief to boost its ailing economy.

In the Israeli media, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom all lead with yesterday’s attempted terror cell attack on the Syrian border, which was thwarted by an Israeli air strike. Israel Radio news also covers reports in the Arab media which claim that Israel carried out two further raids over the weekend to prevent arms transfers to Hezbollah. Haaretz refers to “tension” on the northern border, while Israel Hayom describes the weekend events as an “escalation.”

Meanwhile, the top story in Yediot Ahronot, which also features prominently in all other dailies, is the devastating earthquake in Nepal. Yediot Ahronot and Maariv focus on Israelis who remain stranded there or are still believed to be missing. Nepal is a popular destination for Israeli travellers. However, Israel Hayom and Israel Radio news both highlight the significant aid and expert rescue teams which Israel is sending to Nepal to help the recovery. A large Israeli aid delegation will leave today, having been delayed by poor conditions at Kathmandu Airport.

Coalition talks continue as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has until 7 May to form a new government. Both Israel Hayom and Israel Radio news report that Netanyahu’s Likud has made progress in its negotiations with Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu. Over the weekend, Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett apparently lowered his ministerial expectations, dropping his demand to become foreign minister in favour of the education portfolio, potentially paving the way to a coalition deal for his party.