The surprising news that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz agreed to form a unity government and avoid early elections is reported by the Guardian and BBC online. The Independent and the Guardian report that two Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike have lost their Supreme Court appeal against their detention. The Independent also reports on a debate within the Israeli defence establishment whether to demolish the house of those responsible for the murder of a five members of the Fogel family, including a three-month-old infant, in the West Bank settlement of Itamar.

Over the long weekend, several UK papers reported on the preparations in Israel for early elections. The Mail on Sunday reported on the hunger strike of Palestinian prisoners. The Times and the Independent on Saturday reported that Hagai Amir, the brother of Yigal Amir who assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yithak Rabin, was released from prison.

The Israeli media is dominated by the unexpected news on the formation of a unity coalition between Likud and Kadima. All papers analyse the deal, which is based on an agreement to legislate equal conscription for all Israelis and a change in the governing system. The new coalition will enjoy the support of 94 out of 120 Knesset members. Haaretz’s Yossi Verter describes Netanyahu as the “king of the political system”. In other news, all papers focus on the High Court of Justice’s ruling ordering the state to remove five buildings that had been built on privately owned Palestinian land in Beit El by the end of June. Ynetnews reports that EU officials reiterated the demand that Iran halt its nuclear drive.