The Telegraph and the online edition of the Guardian both report that Israel is evacuating a number of surrogate babies from Nepal alongside their Israeli fathers. Surrogacy for non-married couples is not permitted in Israel and so Nepal is a common destination for gay couples who wish to find a surrogate mother. The reports also note that Israel is sending an 80-member search and rescue team to Nepal to help with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake there.

The Guardian, Times, Telegraph and Independent i cover a report issued yesterday by United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, following a UN inquiry into the shelling by Israeli forces of a number of UN buildings during Operation Protective Edge last summer. The report holds Israel responsible for the shelling and subsequent deaths, but also criticises Hamas for having placed Gazan residents at risk by using UN property to store weapons and concludes that Hamas “probably” fired rockets from the premises.

The Guardian online includes a profile of Mordechai Vanunu, the former-worker at Israel’s apparent sensitive Dimona nuclear plant, who 28 years ago spoke to the foreign media about Israel’s nuclear infrastructure. Israel maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying its atomic capability. Vanunu served a lengthy prison term, much of it in solitary confinement and since his release is not permitted to leave Israel without permission.

The Independent online covers comments made by the Commander of Iran’s Ground Forces, who told Iranian media that the United States was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, in order to justify a Middle East invasion “with the goal of ruling it.”

In the Israeli media, the top item in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Israel Hayom is the Israeli rescue and recovery efforts which are now underway in Nepal, in the aftermath of the country’s devastating earthquake. A 260-strong IDF Home Front Command team landed in Nepal and will set up a field hospital and assist in search and rescue. Meanwhile, Israel Radio news reports that more than 200 Israelis came home from Nepal on a special flight last night.

Meanwhile, coalition negotiations continue with a 7 May deadline looming for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government. Yediot Ahronot predicts that Netanyahu will only finalize a coalition at the last moment with potential partners and senior Likud MKs battling for every ministerial portfolio. Likud’s Gilad Erdan is reportedly determined to fight to become Education Minister, despite Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett having made clear that he now wants the role.

Both Haaretz and Israel Radio news cover comments made yesterday by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, who warned that Washington may find it increasingly hard to support Israel in international forums if the new government is not committed to a two-state solution.