Israel-Hezbollah prisoner exchange deal prepared

In the UK and international press, BBC Online, Reuters and the Financial Times report that a fresh round of rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel yesterday, marking another breach in the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal agreed upon last week. The Independent reports that Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has urged Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to order "an immediate military response to every violation" of the Gaza ceasefire. The Financial Times, meanwhile, carries a piece on Quartet Envoy to the Middle East Tony Blair and the successes and difficulties he has faced after a year in his position. The Guardian runs an article by Benjamin Pogrund on French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to Israel. The Economist reports on developments within the Fatah political party. The Jewish Chronicle notes that the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, over a prisoner exchange deal are expected to intensify this week.

In the Israeli press, the papers note that two rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel yesterday. Haaretz reports that an agreement between Israel and Hezbollah over a prisoner exchange deal has been prepared, while the Jerusalem Post notes that a strong majority of the cabinet have expressed their support for the deal. Haaretz also notes that Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin has said that Israel could release prisoners with ‘blood on their hands' (directly involved in attacks on Israel) in return for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, as long as the risk they pose is lessened. In addition, the paper reports that the Quartet decided this week to hold a regional conference in Moscow in November. The Jerusalem Post also reports that Shadow Chancellor George Osbourne MP praised Israel for its achievements, during a meeting of the UK Conservative Friends of Israel.

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