A US warning to Iran that it will not tolerate any disruption of traffic through the Straits of Hormuz is the main item of Israel-related coverage in the UK media today.  The Guardian, Times, Independent, Financial Times and Reuters all have this story.  In additional items, the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Independent, Financial Times and Reuters report on the continued killings in Syria despite the deployment of Arab League observers in the country.  The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Times, Independent and BBC Online note a brawl between rival Christian monks in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.  The Guardian notes the possibility of a renewed Israeli offensive into Gaza, following remarks by Israel Defence Forces chief of staff Benny Gantz that a military offensive against Gaza will be launched “sooner or later”. The Independent has an editorial claiming that the survival of Israel as a democratic and modern state is now threatened from within by its own ultra-Orthodox minority.

In the Israeli media today, Haaretz runs a piece quoting Palestinian officials who say that Hamas has ordered its forces to cease attacks on Israeli targets.  The paper also notes reports that the Palestinian Authority has offered to drop its demand that Israel freeze all settlement activity to renew talks, if Israel will agree to the release of an additional 100 Palestinian prisoners.  The Jerusalem Post and Ynetnews have pieces on US-Israeli discussions regarding ‘triggers’ and red lines for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.  Ynetnews notes IAF bombing of Gaza last night, and has an additional piece on reports that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has amassed a personal fortune of $250 million.  The Jerusalem Post notes attempts by US Republican Presidential hopeful Ron Paul to defend his record on Israel.  Israel Hayom notes Israeli attacks on targets in Gaza yesterday.