Newspaper headlines: 'Starmer praises Thatcher' and royals unite
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"Israel 'using Hamas prisoners to track down terror chiefs'" is the headline on the front page of the Observer, external. The paper says Israeli politicians and generals believe that taking out the top Hamas commanders will give the "best chance" of "forcing the collapse" of the organisation in Gaza. The paper says critics believe the strategy will do little to reduce the high cost in civilian lives in the campaign so far.
Reflecting on Israel resuming its offensive against Hamas in Gaza, the Sunday Express, external says "hell on Earth has returned". The paper says Israeli sources warn that it could be another year before Hamas is dismantled.
The Sunday Telegraph reports that Sir Keir Starmer has launched, external what the paper calls an "explicit appeal" to Conservative voters to switch to Labour by praising Margaret Thatcher. He's written an article for the paper crediting her with effecting "meaningful change" in Britain. He also says the same about Tony Blair and Clement Atlee.
The Observer, external says relatives who lost loved ones during the pandemic are planning to greet Boris Johnson as he arrives to give evidence at the Covid Inquiry this week with photographs of those who died. The paper says they want to confront the former prime minister about what they describe as his "failings" during the health crisis. The Sunday Express, external says Mr Johnson is "poised" to defend his record when he appears before the inquiry.
According to the Sunday Mirror, senior members of the royal family are planning to unite, external and "rise above" the race row that has been ignited by the publication of a new book about the monarchy. The Dutch version of Endgame by Omid Scobie, which has been recalled, pointed the finger at two senior royals who allegedly discussed the skin colour of Prince Harry and Meghan's first child before he was born. The Sunday Telegraph, external says there will be high level discussions this week between the royal households about the claims.
There are also reports that the ongoing family rift has resulted in the couple not being invited to the wedding of the Duke of Westminster. The Sunday Times says he is one of Prince Harry's oldest friends, external, and the godfather to his son. The Mail on Sunday calls it a "shock snub", external. The paper goes on to say the Duke of Westminster wants to avoid "drama".
There is a cautionary tale from one very prepared holidaymaker in the Sunday Times, external. Meredith Shay had paid more than $560,000 for the trip of a lifetime - a three-year cruise around the world. She had sold her home, put her belongings in storage and said farewell to her family, when the trip was cancelled. It emerged that the company she had booked with had failed to actually obtain a ship for the journey. Ms Shay says she is waiting for a refund, but is trying to stay positive. She is now taking things one day at a time, saying: "I tried to plan for three years and look where that got me."
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