Thursday’s front pages lead with two main stories – polar opposite stories. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East, as Israel has vowed to respond to Iran as fears of an all-out war continue to rise; and Princess Kate’s first public engagement since undergoing cancer treatment. 

Most of the broadsheets lead on Israel’s vow to respond to the missile attack, and other stories related to the situation in the Middle East. The tabloids prefer the royal story. 

‘Israel vows to respond to Iran’ 

‘Netanyahu knows the US cannot restrain him,’ claims the i newspaper.

The i newspaper – like many of this morning’s front pages- reports “Israel vows rapid revenge strike on Iran.” The paper offers up its assessment of the situation, saying the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu knows “the US cannot restrain him now.”

‘Ex-PM calls for Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear plants,’ reports The Metro.

The Metro quotes former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett saying “Now Iran must pay the price” as he “urges strikes on nuclear plants to avenge” Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday. 

‘Joe Biden struggling to contain the war,’ the FT says.

The FT features a striking image of a woman holding her cat against a background of smoking rubble after an Israeli air strike on Beirut. The paper says “Mideast pain” and reports “Israel vows to hit back at Iran.” Inside the paper, Gideon Rachman says Joe Biden’s efforts to contain the war are failing. Every call for restraint from the US president has been ignored and Washington has still come to Israel’s aid. 

‘RAF lacks weapons to help defend Israelis,’ reports the Daily Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph’s takes a UK-focused approach to the latest in the Middle East. The paper says the UK’s armed forces are ‘not up to defending Israelis.’ The paper says the RAF “lacks weapons to hit Iranian missiles” and British destroyers are “ill-equipped” it says, quoting defence experts and former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. 

‘Middle East crisis could see terrorist attacks rise in UK,’ claims the Express.

The Daily Express fears the latest in the Middle East conflict could see terror attacks in the UK rise. The “crisis could ‘galvanise’ extremists to target British Jews”, according to the paper.

‘US fears its troops could be drawn into the conflict,’ says The Guardian.

The Guardian looks at the US warning that they won’t support Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. The paper says Washington is attempting to contain the conflict and fears that US forces could end up being drawn in – if the Israelis attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. 

‘IDF troops ambushed and killed,’ says the Times.

The Times reports that eight soldiers died in a ground battle with Hezbollah. The paper features an image of Iranian missiles downed over the desert.

‘UK and US must not be squeamish and should back Israel all the way,’ is The Sun’s opinion.

Although not front-page coverage, The Sun, offers up its assessment. It tells the US and UK not to be “squeamish” and back Israel all the way if “Tel Aviv opts to cut the head off the snake.” 

The Daily Mirror says diplomacy must come first.

The Daily Mirror favours diplomacy until “every avenue has been exhausted.” 

‘Princess Kate back at work’ 

Princess Catherine is pictured on many front pages – and is the lead for a handful of tabloid newspapers as she returns to work following her cancer treatment.

The Sun features an image of Princess Kate embracing a young cancer patient – Liz Hatton, 16, who visited the royal at Windsor Castle. The princess recently completed chemotherapy.

The Daily Telegraph says Catherine “goes back to work with a hug.” The paper says it was the princess’s first day back at work since completing her cancer treatment. 

An image of Princess Kate and Liz features on the side of the front page of the Express too. The paper calls her “caring Kate.” Whilst the Mail also notes “brave Kate’s hug for fellow cancer sufferer.” The Mirror calls it a “touching royal moment” at Windsor Castle.