There is widespread coverage this morning of the resumption of peace talks in Jerusalem today between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA), with Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat set to meet. Today’s talks are previewed by the Telegraph, Independent, Times and Independent i, all of which note that plans were announced yesterday by Israel to build 942 homes in the East Jerusalem suburb of Gilo, a decision which was condemned by Palestinian spokespeople. Writing in the Independent, Robert Fisk heavily criticises US Secretary of State John Kerry’s handling of the peace talks, while Katherine Butler says that the “theatre” of talks appears unlikely to produce results. An editorial in the Guardian calls on Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show that he is serious about achieving a viable peace settlement.

The Times, Financial Times, Guardian and Daily Mail all report on Israel’s release late last night of twenty six Palestinian prisoners, all convicted of deadly attacks on Israelis during the past twenty odd years. Israel’s cabinet voted in favour of the release in order to pave the way for talks to begin. The Guardian and Daily Mail both contrast the sense of anguish for many in Israel at the release of those who murdered Israelis, with the celebrations among many Palestinians over the release.

The Evening Standard and Metro both cover the successful interception of a rocket fired from Sinai heading for Israel’s southern resort city of Eilat, by the Iron Dome missile defence system early yesterday morning. Meanwhile, the Independent and its’ sister publication Independent i both cover the launch of a new Israel government public diplomacy campaign, which encourages the participation of Israeli university students via social media.

The Guardian online reports that violence erupted yesterday in Cairo at a protest of Muslim Brotherhood supporters, during which one protester was apparently killed and at least eleven injured. The Financial Times also focuses on the stand-off between Egypt’s military and supporters of ousted premier Mohammed Morsi, who it says are digging in for a long struggle ahead.

Meanwhile, the Times says that Syrian opposition forces have re-grouped and are preparing to launch an offensive to re-capture the town of Qusair, which was overrun by Hezbollah fighters spearheading President Assad’s forces two months ago.

In the Israeli media this morning, Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Israel Hayom focus on the release of twenty six Palestinian prisoners last night. Yediot Ahronot summarises the anguish felt by some Israelis over the release with the headline, “Murderers Go Free.” Meanwhile, Maariv and Israel Hayom both include a preview of the resumption of peace talks which are set to take place today. The headline in Israel Hayom summarises, “Negotiations Resume, Pain Remains.” Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Shimon Shiffer casts a pessimistic light on the talks, predicting “a war of accusations and attempts to cast responsibility for the expected failure of the talks on the other side.”

There is also a significant focus on the Iron Dome’s successful interception of a rocket heading for Eilat. Although both publications note that life continues as normal Eilat, Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom say that continued rocket threats could spell serious trouble for the city’s tourism industry, on which the local economy is based. Writing in Israel Hayom, Yoav Limor says that given the chaos and unrest in Sinai, “it’s hard to be optimistic about the future.”

Israel Radio news reports this morning that Israel’s Air Force achieved direct hits on rocket launchers in the Gaza Strip overnight after two rockets were fired from Gaza at southern Israel yesterday evening. No injuries or damage was reported from the rocket attack.