There is significant coverage this morning of Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit yesterday to Bethlehem, where he met Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. The Guardian says that Cameron criticised the conditions endured by residents of the Gaza Strip, reiterated his position on Israel as the Jewish homeland and was downbeat on the chances of a peace agreement between Israel and the PA. The Telegraph highlights Cameron’s comment that he is “not overly optimistic” that a peace deal will be concluded. The Independent and Independent i both focus on Cameron’s assertion that Britain supports a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders plus land swaps and Jerusalem as a shared capital. An editorial in the Evening Standard praises Cameron’s trip and his desire to help persuade Israel and the PA to end the conflict.

The Times and Evening Standard emphasise that Cameron yesterday pledged UK material support to boost Palestinian business. The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Star and Metro all report that Cameron also met former-Prime Minister and Quartet Middle East envoy Tony Blair yesterday, whose remit focuses on Palestinian economic development. The Daily Mail also highlights Cameron’s meeting with Blair and notes that Cameron’s speech to the Knesset on Wednesday was warmly received in Israel.

Meanwhile, the Guardian, Times and Financial Times report that Islamic Jihad claim that Egypt brokered a ceasefire, after the group fired more than 60 rockets on southern Israel from Gaza on Wednesday evening, eliciting an Israeli air response on strategic targets in the Gaza Strip.

The Independent online says nine new Dead Sea scrolls have been uncovered, much to the excitement of the archaeological world, having been left untouched in a storeroom belonging to the Israel Antiquities Authority. The Dead Sea scrolls shine light on Jewish life 2,000 years ago and the origins of Christianity.

Elsewhere in the region, the Telegraph online features the third anniversary of the conflict in Syria and reports that aid agencies believe it is the world’s worst refugee crisis in the last 20 years. The Financial Times says Iran has agreed to sell gas to its Gulf ally Oman and speculates that the deal may help facilitate a back-channel to better communication between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In the Israeli media, the main story is the continuation of tension and rocket fire in the south of the country. Despite a claim earlier yesterday by Islamic Jihad that a ceasefire was in place, up to 21 rockets were fired yesterday and last night from Gaza at Israel’s southern communities. No injuries were reported and Israel Radio news says Israel’s Air Force responded with targeted strikes. Both Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom say that the tension is likely to continue throughout the weekend celebrations of the Jewish festival of Purim. Sof Hashavua calls it a “conditional calm,” while Haaretz and Maariv-NRG highlight the continuation of rocket fire. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman says that Islamic Jihad has now set a standard that Israeli strikes against its operatives will be met with rocket fire, “This is a formula that could be put to the test very soon, perhaps even next week, and so nothing has really ended.”

In other developments, Israel Radio news reports that US Secretary of State John Kerry questioned the wisdom of Israel’s demand that the PA recognise Israel as a characteristically Jewish state. Speaking to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kerry said though that he believes the Arab League will likely grant such recognition.

Meanwhile, a poll in Sof Hashavua indicates rising support for Likud, Labour, Jewish Home and Meretz and a drop in public approval for Yesh Atid and Shas.