The UK media today widely covers the escalation across the Israel-Gaza border, which enters its fourth day. The Financial Times, Times, the Independent, Guardian and the Daily Telegraph note the death toll in Gaza, and mention that the majority of those killed were terrorists. The papers also note over 90 rockets have landed inside Israel and the impressive ratio of rockets downed by the Iron Dome missile defence system. Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to the US is discussed in the Times, Financial Times and Daily Telegraph. An editorial in the Telegraph notes ‘Israel is increasingly – and understandably – restive about the existential threat that would be posed by a nuclear-armed Iran’. The Times suggests the agenda will include finding ‘common ground on the uprising in Syria, the threat of an Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear ambition and the need to pull troops out of Afghanistan. BBC online reports the the Arab League envoy Kofi Annan expressed optimism over ending the bloodshed in Syria. BBC also notes the agreement of West Bank settlers in Migron to relocate their community to state owned land. The Guardian offers a rare glimpse of a wedding celebration inside Gaza.

The UK media over the weekend covered the escalation of violence in the south. The Guardian, BBC online, Financial Times, and Independent on Sunday include the details of the militant leader Zohair al-Qaisi of the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC) killed on Friday. They also mention close to 100 rockets fired into Israel from Gaza. The Observer features profiles of half a dozen Israelis representing a spread of Israeli society. The Sunday Times speculates on the results of the summit meeting in Washington last week and suggests Israel will delay any attack on Iran till later in the year. In addition, the paper quotes a participant of the White House talks saying US President Barack Obama “might visit in the summer to reassure the Israelis that the US commitment to defend Israel is unshakable and thus thwart a possible autumn attack.” The Observer runs a commentary suggesting the West should continue to seek dialogue with Iran. The Guardian, Financial Times and Sunday Times all focus on Kofi Annan’s attempt to bring about a ceasefire in Syria and grant greater access to humanitarian relief efforts. The Sunday Telegraph and the Independent on Sunday recount the efforts of the Syrian resistance in northern Syria.

The Israeli media’s coverage today is dominated by the rocket fire in the south, which yesterday primarily targeted the city of Beer Sheva. All papers note 200,000 children will again not attend school today. Regarding the military aspect both Haaretz and Yediot Ahronot note the reduced number of rockets fired on Sunday, and as long as there are no Israeli fatalities Israel can afford to wind down operations in the next couple of days. However the concern remains that either Hamas will enter the fray or Islamic Jihad could raise the stakes by attacking close to Tel Aviv. These scenarios would elicit a stern response from the IDF. In other news, Israel Hayom reports that senior US officials are uncertain whether Washington will know in real time when Iran has constructed an atomic bomb. Yediot Ahronot reports that residents of the illegal West Bank outpost of Migron agreed to relocate. Haaretz notes the interview former Mossad chief Meir Dagan gave to CBS over the weekend.

On Sunday Israeli media coverage focused on the escalation in the south. Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom focus on the success of the Iron Dome missile defence system, having successfully shot down 28 of 31 rockets aimed at populated areas. Ma’ariv highlights the costs to residents of the south. Yediot Ahronot‘s analysis suggests Israel would have anticipated the response to the targeting of a senior terrorist leader and had the Iron Domes already in place. Ma’ariv ‘s analysis sees the action in the south as a message to the new leadership in Egypt. Haaretz‘s Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel note that “The good news is that Hamas has no interest in Operation Cast Lead, the sequel. The bad news is that Hamas has less control over the situation than in the past.” In other news, Ma’ariv publishes an opinion piece by Gilad Sher and Ami Ayalon, in which they suggest constructive unilateral measures that will improve Israeli-Palestinian relations in the absence of a final status agreement. Yediot Ahronot laments the difficulties for Israelis to maintain contacts in Jordan where the atmosphere is increasingly uncomfortable for Israelis. Israel Hayom relays criticism by senior members of the Israeli government over former Mossad chief Meir Dagan’s interview with CBS‘s “60 Minutes” on Sunday night.