The UK media covers the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. BBC News, The Financial Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian and The Times report that the ceasefire came into effect after 11 days of fighting that saw more than 240 people killed, most of them in Gaza. The papers note that international pressure, specifically from the US, pushed the parties to a ceasefire. The Independent reports that the UN and several NGOs warned that Gaza’s severely damaged infrastructure would take years to rebuild. Health, education, water, and energy facilities have been damaged.

The Associated Press reports that Palestinians have claimed victory following the ceasefire agreement. The report notes that thousands took to the street at 2am, when the ceasefire came into effect. People were seen waiving Palestinian and Hamas flags, honking car horns and setting off fireworks.

Josie Ensor writes in The Telegraph that history shows us this ceasefire may be short lived. She writes: “The only chance the new ceasefire has of holding is for both sides to be reminded of what is at stake if it doesn’t. For Israel, which is now forced to deal with a much less friendly US administration than it was previously under Donald Trump, they have been raised … the only way to break the holding pattern, Gazans say, is to end the Strip’s isolation. That would involve opening up borders and allowing free travel, the return of the displaced to Jerusalem and other Palestinian territories, and full statehood – demands Israel is unlikely to ever agree on unless there is a complete and utter rethinking of US support.”

Jake Wallis Simons writes in The Spectator about how Israel’s 11-day operation in Gaza demolished Hamas’ operation. He writes: “Intelligence sources report that factions inside Hamas are already grumbling about the reckless decision to invite so much destruction upon Gaza. The years leading up to the war were generally characterised by calm, with Israel investing heavily in infrastructure in the Strip. All this now lies in ruins. This week, Hamas fired mortars at an aid convoy attempting to enter the territory from Israel. As a symbol, it was both poignant and perfect. Hamas may have won the propaganda war, but Israelis have a better chance at living.”

The Times reports a Canadian court has ruled that the downing of Ukrainian Airlines flight 752 was an intentional act of terrorism. Two Iranian missiles shot down the passenger flight last January amid heightened tensions after the assassination of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. The Canadian judge said that “on a balance of probabilities the missile attacks on Flight 752 were intentional. The plaintiffs have established that the shooting down of Flight 752 was an act of terrorism and constitutes ‘terrorist activity’”.

The Economist reports on navigational challenges that vessels could encounter passing through the Strait of Hormuz as Iran releases counterfeit signals, sending boats miles in the wrong direction, specifically into Iran’s territorial water. There is reason to believe that Iran is luring vessels into their waters to seize them. The paper notes that “for Iran, spoofing is a cheap way of riling Western powers and giving itself leverage in international affairs”.

Haaretz reports that Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said an “agreement in principle has been achieved” regarding the removal of sanctions amid ongoing nuclear talks with the West. According to Rouhani, “All parties to the talks have agreed to lift all major sanctions on oil, petrochemicals, shipping, insurance, the central bank and so on.” However, senior diplomats from Britain, France and Germany (E3) offered a note of caution, saying that while there was some tangible progress with the contours of a final deal emerging, success was not guaranteed.  “There are still some very difficult issues ahead. We do not underestimate the challenges that lay before us,” they said in a statement. The E3 diplomats said it was critical that Iran let the IAEA continue its monitoring and verification work and urged them both to find a way forward. Israel Hayom adds, “The International Atomic Energy Agency faces a looming deadline with Iran over its inspections of Tehran’s nuclear sites. It reached a temporary deal with Tehran in February to ensure inspections continued, though Iran stopped allowing it to access footage recorded on cameras monitoring its nuclear sites.  Iran vowed to hold onto the footage for three months but warned it would erase it if sanctions relief didn’t come. That three-month deadline expires either Friday under the Gregorian calendar or Monday under the Persian calendar.”

Yeditot Ahronot also focuses on Yitzhak Herzog’s campaign to become President in two week’s time, noting “28 years after his father, the late sixth President Haim Herzog, left the presidential residence in Jerusalem, is the chairman of the Jewish Agency, Yitzhak (Buji) Herzog, two steps from the president’s house. After working on the campaign and succeeding in recruiting the signatures of a quarter of the Knesset members, Herzog is confident in his ability to mobilise the support of 61 MKs and defeat Miriam Peretz. Herzog has been careful to cultivate good relations with all sectors over the years. As the former chairman of the Labour Party, he has close ties to the left and the centre. As the grandson of the former Chief Rabbi of Israel, he has always been close to the ultra-Orthodox.” Furthermore, “He met with all the members of the Knesset and sent them close associates to make a confirmation of support. He called every MK to wish him a happy birthday and took an interest in everything. He’s nice to everyone.”