Starmer 'rewarding Hamas' and 'Labour's low blow'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's announcement that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel ends the crisis in Gaza dominates Wednesday's papers. The Guardian leads with the PM's September deadline for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to commit to a ceasefire and "accept a two-state solution". The paper says the PM's decision comes as a result of the "increasingly intolerable" situation in Gaza and "now was the right time to finally move".

The Daily Telegraph follows with reaction from the US and Israel on Sir Keir's plan to recognise a Palestinian state. The paper says a US state department spokesperson is calling the PM's decision a "slap in the face" for victims of the 7 October attack on Israel. The paper also quotes Netanyahu saying Sir Keir's announcement "rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism".

The PM's "reward for Hamas" is echoed in the Daily Mail, with the paper saying the move is a "major diplomatic shift" for the UK. It also teases an exclusive on the "mystery" of the Prince and Princess of Wales' summer holiday on an "enchanting Greek Island".

"Israel blasts Starmer" is the Times' take. The paper quotes Netanyahu saying the PM's ultimatum is "appeasement towards jihadist terrorists" and will "always fail". Sharing the top spot is the Lionesses' "royal welcome" during their victory parade in London on Tuesday. The paper spotlights a photograph of thousands of football fans celebrating the England team as they took the stage in a special ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace.

The Daily Mirror emblazons the PM's "ultimatum" on its front page, highlighting his warning to Israel: "The suffering must end."

The Financial Times features Sir Keir's statement that Hamas must play "no part in the governance of Gaza", calling for them to disarm and release the remaining hostages. Also prominent is the paper's report on a "clash" between Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey over Revolut becoming a fully authorised bank.

"Labour's low blow" headlines the Metro as it reports on Nigel Farage's demand for an apology from Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. The Labour minister suggested the Reform UK sided with "sex abusers such as Jimmy Saville" by opposing online protections for children.

The Sun is also still riding high with the Lionesses' "monster raving party". The paper's front page is splashed with a photograph of a sea of red and white-kitted fans cheering as the team parades down The Mall in a "European Champions" adorned bus. Sharing the top spot is the paper's exclusive on TV couple Cat Deely and Patrick Kielty's split after 13 years of marriage.

"You wait years for a trophy... then two come along" sums up the Daily Star in its feature on the Lionesses' victory parade.

Finally, bank chiefs are insisting interest rates should be cut twice more this year to help the UK's sluggish economy, reports the Daily Express. The paper says the International Monetary Fund is calling for lower borrowing costs as the country "reels" from the chancellor's "tax raid".

The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail lead their coverage of Sir Keir Starmer's statement on the UK potentially recognising a Palestinian state with Israeli claims that this would be rewarding Hamas.

The Guardian notes that as well as requiring Israel to hold to a ceasefire in Gaza, the statement also reiterates the UK government's demands for Hamas to immediately release all the hostages and commit to disarmament.

But the Times points out that Sir Keir did not say these must be met before a Palestinian state is recognised.

The i paper says the Board of Deputies of British Jews is seeking assurances that there will be no recognition without the release of the hostages - or if Hamas continues to reject calls for a ceasefire.

But in its editorial, the Daily Mirror says: "This is not about Hamas. It is about acknowledging the right of the Palestinians to exist, to live with dignity and to be treated as equals at the negotiating table."

The Times describes the statement as "gesture diplomacy", saying that recognising Palestine as a sovereign state would do nothing to end starvation in Gaza. The Mail says Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir of "political posturing at its very worst".

The Sun says that not for the first time, Sir Keir has buckled under pressure from his own backbenchers.

The Daily Express says the International Monetary Fund has urged the Bank of England to cut interest rates twice more this year, to help the UK's sluggish economy - as Britain reels from what it calls the tax raid by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves. The Times puts a more positive spin on the IMF's report - highlighting the prediction that the UK will be the third fastest growing economy in the G7 this year - and next.

For a third day, the papers celebrate England's Euro-winning footballers. The i Paper says 65,000 fans joined the Lionesses for an unbelievable parade to honour their back-to-back victories.

The Financial Times says "roaring fans" lauded the players as their bus made its way down the Mall.

On the inside pages, the Mirror quotes the goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, as saying: "If you have a dream...believe it."

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