Newspaper headlines: Gaza truce 'hopes' and Bank chief 'talks UK down'

28 November 2023

By BBC News

Staff

The Guardian front page features a photo of a young Palestinian man surrounded by children trying to leave northern Gaza, as the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues, external.

The headline says the deal to extend the truce has raised hopes that dozens more hostages will be released. But the paper suggests there are "widespread" fears that the reprieve from the conflict will be brief

In its editorial, the Daily Mirror calls the extension of the truce a "small but encouraging step". It acknowledges that Israel has a right to pursue Hamas, in response to the murderous attacks on 7 October.

But the paper concludes that "a return to the slaughter of Palestinian civilians after this pause would be impossible for much of the world to stomach".

According to the Times, Rishi Sunak has been warned by government lawyers that opting out, external of the European Convention on Human Rights in an attempt to implement his Rwanda policy will backfire.

The paper says ministers are considering emergency legislation that would mean British courts were not bound by the convention. But government lawyers believe this could lead to further legal challenges.

Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, is also said to believe the UK's international standing could be harmed. Downing Street said all options were still on the table.

But the i reports that up to 40 Conservative MPs are poised to rebel, external if Mr Sunak fails to take steps to override the convention. An unnamed Tory insider is quoted saying that the government is "soft pedalling on Rwanda because they don't really know where they are going".

Oria Brodutch jumps onto his father Avihai Brodutch shortly after they were reunited in Israel on 26 November, following the release of Oria, his mother Hagar and his siblings Yuval and Ofri, at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel

Reuters

Oria Brodutch was among the hostages released so far during the Israel-Gaza ceasefire

The Daily Telegraph's lead suggests the UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission could be blocked from United Nations rights bodies, external because of its stance on legislation affecting trans people.

The paper says the UN is assessing the EHRC after it gave advice to ministers, suggesting the law should define sex as "biological sex". Writing in the paper, the commission's head, Baroness Falkner, states that it is "concerned" about the review, partly because it was judged to be meeting the "highest standards" only last year.

There is anger on the front of the Daily Express about the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, external. On Monday he said the UK's economic growth prospects were lower than they had been for much of his working life. The headline is: "Time for a bank chief who talks Britain up!".

"Poisonous" is how the Daily Mail front page describes a new book about the Royal Family, external. It condemns Endgame by Omid Scobie, saying it paints "an almost comically negative view of the monarchy".

Mr Scobie has previously written Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family. The Mail says that because of this "flattering tome" about the Sussexes, royal aides had expected the new book to be a "hatchet job".

Finally, the Sun is outraged that VAR could be extended to check corners, external, free kicks and yellow cards at football matches.

The paper says the proposal is to be discussed today by the International Football Association Board, which sets the sport's rules. The Sun points out that, with VAR already controversial, an extension would be "barmy".