Newspaper headlines: 'Biden backs Israel' and 'King calls for civility'

1px transparent line
By BBC News
Staff

US President Joe Biden has given his private backing for Israel to send troops into Gaza, according to the Times. The paper says he urged a modicum of restraint, but told Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that he fully supported a ground invasion. The i reports that the SAS is preparing to assist Israel's elite forces in any rescue attempt of nine British civilians being held by Hamas in Gaza.

The Daily Telegraph choses Mr Biden's warning to Israel not to repeat mistakes made by America after 9/11 as its front page headline. The Daily Mirror carries the warning next to a picture of a boy who was injured in the hospital blast in Gaza. "Don't be consumed by rage" is the headline chosen by the Guardian for its front page.

President Biden's support for Israel's claim that the hospital was hit from inside Gaza makes the front page of the Sun. The Daily Express has a still from a video which it says appears to prove the theory.

In its editorial, the Times argues that the American President has made a good start in calming tensions as Israel will now allow aid into Gaza. But a Guardian columnist, Martin Kettle, says the fact that Arab leaders refused to meet Joe Biden is a sign of diminishing US power. The Guardian's editorial says Russia is keen to keep the US' attention on the Middle East - as some Americans argue they can't afford to support both Ukraine and Israel. It also says Russia will want to capitalise on what looks like a glaring disparity - with attacks on civilian infrastructure being condemned in Ukraine, but not in Gaza.

The Daily Mail has interviewed Israel's president, Isaac Herzog. He tells the paper the BBC's decision to only use the word 'terrorist' to describe Hamas when it can be attributed - is "atrocious". The broadcaster says its approach is to precisely describe what is happening on the ground and let the audience make a judgement.

The i moves away from the conflict for its lead story. It says there is "mortgage hope" as a panel of economists have predicted the Bank of England won't raise interest rates, despite inflation remaining unchanged this month. An economist has told the Financial Times interest rates are unlikely to be cut before next year.

The National Theatre in London is experimenting with earlier start times so audiences can have more time for post-show chats, dinner, and drinks without having to rush off and catch a train, according to the Telegraph. The paper says some performances next year will begin at 18:30.