Today’s news summary – Paper Talk: Gaza strikes intensify amid calls for ceasefire
Many of Monday’s front pages continue their coverage of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and its impact in the UK.
Israel and Hamas conflict
Both the Guardian and the Times focus on the intensification of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza as their front page leads.
The Times reports PM Benjamin Netanyahu has defied calls from across the Middle East for a ceasefire.
In its online edition, the Guardian reports the UK government has faced accusations of separating British children in Gaza from their mothers who do not have passports. The government said people required visas before travelling to the UK, including dependants of British nationals.
The Sun reports war veterans have called for pro-Palestinian marches to be cancelled on Remembrance weekend, the paper’s headline says “Show some respect.”
The Daily Telegraph reports that the Met police boss Sir Mark Rowley is under pressure to ban a rally on Armistice Day. The paper claims his own cops are reported to have warned that protesters may clash with veterans.
The i newspaper reports that it has been told that the UK’s National Security Council is not prepared for the increased threats posed by the Israel-Gaza conflict. The paper says senior sources are blaming under-resourcing and the revolving door on PMs last year as the reason for that lack of preparedness.
The Financial Times says Rishi Sunak is seeking to gain political momentum through his plans to allow annual North Sea oil and gas licensing rounds, exploiting a key policy divide with Labour.
The Mail says the policy is designed to “strengthen Britain’s energy security and skewer Labour”. But the regulator tells the FT that any new licensing would do little to reduce Britain’s dependence on imports or affect the energy prices.
Environmental critics suggest it is a “gimmick” – according to the Times – as recent licences have led to the discovery of very small amounts of gas.
The FT suggests the PM is seeking to deflect from recent damaging revelations in a book by former minister Nadine Dorries.
The Mail says the PM is under “mounting pressure” with senior figures for an urgent inquiry into the book’s allegations.