The Israeli Public Radio: Israel commemorates the fifth anniversary of its war against Lebanon on Tuesday. The war left many Lebanese victims and martyrs. The Israeli radio claimed 121 Israeli soldiers and 44 civilians were killed during clashes with Hezbollah militia, while 700 soldiers from the Lebanese party and 400 civilians were killed. The Israeli radio pointed out the north borders calmed down since the end of the war and international troops are spreading there. Yediot Ahronot: Israel warmly welcomed the Greek president for his role in preventing the Freedom Flotilla II from sailing to Gaza Strip. Yediot Ahronot reported Israel's warm welcome of the Greek president, Karolos Papoulias, during his current visit to Israel after Greece's role to prevent the Freedom Flotilla II from heading to Gaza Strip. Israeli President, Shimon Perez, met with his Greek counterpart on Monday and appreciated Papoulis' efforts of preventing the Freedom Flotilla II from continuing to Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli opposition leader, Tzipi Livni, and the speaker of Israeli Kenesset, Robin Rfellen, attended the meeting. Yediot Ahronot quoted the Israeli Prime Minister saying, "We have deep friendships with Greece and we will work to strengthen the economic and political ties." Netanyahu claimed Gaza Strip witnessed an economic recovery increase by 25 percent. In the meeting, the Greek president said Greece is facing tough economic crisis, calling for Israeli president to advise him about how to deal with the current financial crisis. When Perez took the power over Israel in 1980, Israel was suffering from an economic crisis. Maariv: Israel requests to internationally prosecute Egypt after exploding the gas pipeline for the fourth time. Israel announced its intent to internationally prosecute Egypt after explosion of Egypt's gas pipeline that provides Israel with Egyptian gas. The flow of Egyptian gas to Israel was suspended again for the fourth time. Maariv mentioned the EMG Company will take legal measures against Egypt and will demand U.S. $8 billion in compensation over violating gas contracts. An official in the company, Namrood Novic, said contributors decided to turn the issue to International Court of Arbitration in Washington. He said Egypt's failure to provide the required amounts of gas led to a U.S. $500 million loss in addition to serious problems with the Israeli energy market. The Israeli official claimed the consecutive explosions of the gas pipeline worsened Egypt's reputation as a confident exporter. Israel signed an agreement with Egypt in 2005 to receive Egyptian gas for 20 years, describing such an agreement as one of the main advantages of the historic peace treaty, concluded between both countries in 1979. Israeli officials claimed gas prices cope with the international prices and Israel will not review the prices. Haartez: Israel seeks to abandon Egyptian gas after the fourth explosion of the gas pipeline In its first reaction after exploding of the gas pipeline for the fourth time, the Israeli Minister of Infrastructure, Uzi Landau, stressed the necessity of finding alternative sources for Egyptian gas. The Israeli newspaper quoted Landau saying, "The gas agreement between Egypt and Israel is one of the most important agreements between both countries from the economic side. Israel is ready for other resources of energy to generate electricity." The newspaper reported Egyptian gas supplies were suspended after the explosion. The International Quartet ended its meeting without achieving results. Representatives of the International Quartet held a meeting on Monday to discuss how to resume peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis without achieving any results. The newspaper mentioned the meeting didn't formulate any recommendations to achieve progress in the peace process. Israeli newspaper quoted an American official saying the meeting was prepared to open the door to resume negotiations. Marriv said the International Quartet should interfere to bridge the gap between both sides before the expected individual step Palestinian side take to gain international recognition.
