In the UK and international media today, all papers note that Fatah and Hamas announced that they had reached an agreement on forming a transitional government following four years of disagreement. The Independent notes the Israeli and US response to the Hamas-Fatah deal who are watching proceedings with caution. In other news, the papers note that the EU is attempting diplomatic efforts to seek an end to the violence in Syria and government oppression on protesters in the streets. The Daily Telegraph reports that British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that Syrian President Bashar Assad is unable to carry out reform due to pressure from hardliners within his family.

In the Israeli press, all papers carry analysis of the news that Fatah and Hamas reached a reconciliation deal through secret meetings in Cairo. Haaretz notes that a senior Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, said that the new interim Palestinian government to be formed under the new deal would not be able to work on negotiations with Israel. The paper also notes that the US State Department said that any Palestinian government must renounce violence, respect previous peace deals and recognise the State of Israel. In other news, all papers note that thirteen settler activists were arrested last night as they attempted to reach Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus in the West Bank without clearance. The Jerusalem Post reports that the IDF announced yesterday that the route of the West Bank security barrier that passes near the Palestinian village of Bil’in will soon be altered in compliance with a court order.