Israel arrests Hamas leaders in response to continued rocket fire

Continued Qassam rocket fire from the Gaza Strip and Israel's operations in attempt to prevent it dominates Israel-related coverage in the UK and international media today. All papers and news outlets note the arrest of around 30 Hamas officials by Israel yesterday. In other stories, the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the Economist, the Scotsman and BBC Online report the renewed outbreak of violence in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in Lebanon. The Daily Mail has a column questioning why there has been no protest against Lebanese army tactics in the fighting, to compare with similar protests against Israel last year. The Scotsman has a piece on Red Cross efforts on behalf of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The Daily Telegraph has an article on Gordon Brown's support for Israel, and the paper also looks into Hezbollah's role as a Syrian and Iranian client organisation. The Times, meanwhile, publishes a piece on tycoon Arcadi Gaydamak's efforts to aid displaced residents of Sderot, and, along with the Independent, notes an investigation into a fire in a synagogue in Switzerland. The Financial Times notes the spread of militant Islamism throughout the Middle East. The Economist has a cover story on the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War.  The New Statesman has two articles on conditions facing the residents of Gaza. 

In the past two days, over the Shavuot Jewish High Holiday period, coverage has been focused on the unfolding events in Gaza, and the fighting in Lebanon. In additional stories, the Guardian on Thursday noted the campaign for an academic boycott of Israel in the UK.  The paper also published an article by Jonathan Freedland on the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War, and noted the arrest on charges of espionage of an American-Iranian academic in Iran. The Times and BBC Online on Thursday noted Hamas's opposition to a British Gas-brokered deal for Gaza to supply gas to Israel. The Independent on Thursday reported on Amnesty International criticism of Israeli policies in the West Bank and Gaza. The Financial Times on Thursday interviewed Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Reuters on Thursday quoted a statement by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the rapid progress made by Iran with its nuclear programme.

In the Israeli media, all papers focus on the continuing Qassam fire from Gaza, and discuss Israel's possible responses. Haaretz notes Israeli and US statements that their position regarding negotiations with Syria has not changed, contrary to recent media reports. The paper also reveals a meeting between PM Ehud Olmert and a group of unofficial advisors during the Lebanon war, which was not revealed to the Winograd Committee. The Jerusalem Post also focuses on Israel's attitude to talks with Syria, and along with Ynetnews quotes remarks by senior officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran's continued nuclear efforts and refusal to comply with international requests in this regard. Ynetnews and Maariv also note an Israeli decision to send Qassam fragments to Europe where they will be displayed as part of information campaigning.

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