Editorial 7 April 2024.
A roundup of this Sunday’s front pages.
Sunday’s newspapers – front and inside pages – lead on the war in Gaza on the sixth month anniversary of the start of the conflict.
‘Gaza on the brink of famine, 6 months into war – grim milestone’
David Cameron writes in the Sunday Times saying it’s important to remember the attacks by Hamas on Israel which started the war. He calls the anniversary a “grim milestone” and goes on to call the deaths of the seven aid workers by an Israeli airstrike “tragic and avoidable,” and says it must not be allowed to happen again.
The Sun on Sunday reflects on the Royal Navy ship being sent to support aid deliveries for Gaza saying “Britain joins rush to help.” The Observer says the Royal Navy has been “ordered into action” amid warnings that people trapped in Gaza are “on the brink of famine.”
The Sunday Mirror marks the anniversary by speaking to a British couple whose daughter and two granddaughters were killed in the 7 October attacks. Their son-in-law was taken hostage and they don’t know what has become of him. Gillian Brisley says she tries to keep her “hatred for Hamas” under control because “if I fill my heart with too much hate, there’s no room left in it for our family that’s gone”.
6 months of war in #Gaza 📍
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) April 7, 2024
Medical needs are constantly on the rise.@UNRWA staff have
🔹provided over 3 million medical consultations
🔹continued working in health centres & shelters
🔹cared for women and newborns
🔹delivered over $6.7 million of medicine & medical supplies
Elsewhere, several papers lead on domestic topics.
The Sunday Telegraph says two former ministers, James Heappey and Ben Wallace, have delivered a “stark wake up call” to the government by warning the UK is “failing to prepare for war.” Heappey does not think we’re on the cusp of another world war but warns we are in a new era since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ben Wallace, former defence secretary, is quoted as saying too many in government are hoping the world’s instabilities will simply “go away.”
The Mail on Sunday continues its coverage of Angela Rayner’s council house. The paper claims it has found new information regarding the sale of the property almost ten years ago.
Rayner has faced questions about whether the property was her principal residence at the time, a distinction that would determine how much tax she owed when the house was sold.
The paper says it has found social media posts by Rayner showing life with her family at her husband’s property. She denies any wrongdoing.
The Sunday People leads on fears the MP sexting scam could have been going on for a year. The paper says the phone number at the centre of the scandal was first flagged as “being dodgy” in May 2023.
The Sunday Mirror’s front page leads on Coronation Street. The paper says the actors are “angry” over a cut in hours to save cash. It adds the “cash-strapped” bosses have caused panic by slashing the number of stars in storylines. The tabloid quotes an insider who says “Some haven’t filmed for weeks.”
The Sun on Sunday splashes on the home of £100m Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak being hit by thieves in a raid. A car was stolen at the Swedish international’s Northumberland home, the paper says.
THE SUNDAY PAPERS – REVIEWED AND SUMMARISED
Cameron warns of Gaza famine as navy sent to aid the starving
The Observer leads on Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s warning that the Palestinian people are on the brink of famine. He announces the emergency deployment of a Royal Navy vessel and £9.7m in aid.
Also on the front is a dramatic picture of a wave striking the shore at Porthcawl, Wales, as Storm Kathleen hit the UK on Saturday.
UK failing to prepare for war, says ex-ministers
The Sunday Telegraph says two former ministers, James Heappey and Ben Wallace, have delivered a “stark wake up call” to the government by warning the UK is “failing to prepare for war”. Mr Heappey, who was the armed forces minister until last month, says he does not think we’re on the cusp of another world war but we are in a new era since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago. He also says ministers need to consider the time it takes to prepare for conflict.
Former defence secretary Ben Wallace is quoted as saying too many in government are hoping the current worldwide instabilities will “go away”.
A government spokesperson says the UK has robust plans in place for “a range of potential emergencies and scenarios”.
Britain’s support for Israel is not unconditional, warns Cameron
The Sunday Times also focuses on Gaza, leading with the foreign secretary warning the UK’s support for Israel is “not unconditional”. Writing in the paper he says “this must never happen again”, referring to the killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers.
The paper also reports drivers paying almost £5.5m a day, equivalent to £2bn a year, to park on public roads and in bays operated by the council. It warns parking charges could go up as a much as 60%.
Elsewhere, Prince Andrew is pictured out and about – following the release of the Netflix film Scoop – about his famous interview with Emily Maitais over his friendship with Jeffery Epstein.
£100m Toon ace hit by raid
The Sun on Sunday splashes on the home of £100m Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak being hit by thieves in a raid. A car was stolen at the Swedish international’s Northumberland home, the paper says.
More celebrity gossip makes the front page including the fallout from the new memoir from Australian actress Rebel Wilson.
Corrie cast of living crisis
The Sunday Mirror leads on the cast of the UK soap Coronation Street. “Soap in budgeting row” headlines the Sunday edition as it reports on Coronation Street actors “angry” over a cut in hours to save cash.
It claims “cash-strapped” bosses have caused panic slashing the number of stars in storylines. The tabloid quotes one insider saying of Corrie stars: “Some haven’t filmed for weeks.”
Sunak calls for end to war in Gaza
The Sunday Express leads with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for an end to the war in Gaza, saying he was “shocked by the bloodshed”.
In a statement marking six months since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, he said he continued to stand by Israel’s right to defeat Hamas and Israeli hostages must be released, but he was “appalled” by the killing of British aid workers. “The children of Gaza need a humanitarian pause immediately.”
