Newspaper headlines: 'Royals condemn Hamas' and 'prisons are full'

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By BBC News
Staff
EPA

A Palestinian man and his mother leave the west of Jablaiya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, after an Israeli air strike

The attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel continue to dominate the front pages. The BBC has come under criticism for referring to Hamas as militants rather than terrorists - a position explained by the BBC's World Affairs Editor, John Simpson.

The events in Israel and Gaza are once again the main focus. The Times says Israel's new coalition government is preparing to invade Gaza as "early as next week".

"Israel steps up blitz on Gaza," says the Sun. The Daily Mirror says Israel and Hamas "trade blows" as the world "holds its breath" ahead of an "all out attack". The paper's front page headline is "Death and more death."

The Guardian has spoken to civilians in Israel who say normal life is "on hold" as they ready themselves for more loss. One woman describes how her son and daughter, aged 10 and six, do not want to shower because the air raid sirens give only a 90-second warning to reach a shelter, and they fear they might not make it in time.

The Financial Times also reports on how people's everyday lives have changed in Israel since the attack by Hamas on Saturday. It says the streets are deserted and "fear and uncertainty" have taken over.

Many of the papers also reflect on the situation in Gaza. The Daily Mail says officials there have warned the territory is facing a "humanitarian crisis" as Israel's blockade resulted in its only power plant running out of fuel. The Daily Telegraph says residents in Gaza are braced for further violence, and that the health system is close to collapse.

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The Times reports that convicted criminals could avoid jail from next week as prisons are full. The paper says Lord Edis, the senior presiding judge in England and Wales, has said that from Monday the sentencing of criminals who are currently on bail should be delayed.

An anonymous senior Crown Court judge is quoted as saying they have been told it is a "short term measure", but that nobody seems certain what that means. The Daily Express reports that the plans have sparked fury among some campaign groups. Sources at the Ministry of Justice have told the Daily Telegraph that no final decisions on contingency measures have been made.

The Daily Mail and the Guardian both highlight the huge rise in demand for allotments in England. According to figures obtained by Greenpeace, through freedom of information requests, the waiting list is at a 12-year high. The local authority with the longest waiting list is Bristol.

Human rights in Saudi Arabia prompted Sir Rod Stewart to turn down a huge deal to perform there, reports the Mirror.

In particular, the 78-year-old highlighted the discrimination faced by women and the LGBTQ community. Sir Rod is quoted as saying he wanted to "shine a light on the injustices there and ignite positive change".

And according to the Guardian, what it describes as one of British cinema's "most quotable comedies" - Withnail and I - is heading to the stage.

It is being adapted by Bruce Robinson, who wrote and directed the film, which was released in 1987. He has told the paper it is "bizarre" to return to the story after so many years. The play will have its premiere at the Birmingham Rep next May.