The Telegraph includes a small item on the approval given by Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak to construction plans for 523 housing units in the community of Gevaot, situated in the Gush Etzion bloc in the West Bank. It is an area which is widely expected to remain part of Israel following the conclusion of any peace agreement with the Palestinians. The article includes quotes from the head of the Gush Etzion regional council and the anti-settlement advocacy group Peace Now.

The online editions of the Times and the Guardian cover claims made by the US-based organisation Human Rights Watch, that the Israeli army “violated the laws of war” during Operation Pillar of Defence by striking media facilities in Gaza. The IDF says the locations were “operational communications infrastructure” being used by Hamas and therefore a legitimate target. Both articles include quotes from IDF spokespeople.

Meanwhile, the Independent, its sister publication Independent i and the online editions of the Telegraph and Financial Times all cover a United Nations report which warns that the violence in Syria has become increasingly divided along sectarian lines. The ten-page report also states that the fighting factions have become ever-more violent and unpredictable as the conflict continues.

The Financial Times online also reports on developments in the fighting itself with the news that Syrian opposition forces are intensifying their operations around the city of Hama in an attempt to take control of a crucial road artery linking Damascus with a regime stronghold to the north.

In the Israeli media this morning, Yediot Ahronot and Israel Radio News highlight a report by AP in which several Palestinian officials warn that they will take measures to isolate Israel following next month’s election if Prime Minister Netanyahu forms the next government as expected. Potential measures being planned against Israel reportedly include suspending security cooperation in the West Bank, mass protests and the filing of lawsuits against Israeli officials at the International Criminal Court.

Maariv publishes a new poll this morning which indicates little change in potential voting patterns prior to next month’s election. In comparison to the last poll published by Maariv, the Likud-Beitenu list is expected to win one less seat, while Jewish Home is slated to gain one more. In a separate story, Maariv claims that Prime Minister Netanyahu is planning to make current Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz the next speaker of the Knesset.

Meanwhile, both Haaretz and Israel Hayom lead with comments made by Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett in a TV interview last night, in which he said that as an officer in the military reserves he would personally not take part in removing settlers from their homes if asked to do so, but would not encourage others to take the same position. Vice Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon, a senior Likud minister and former Chief of Staff, is quoted in Israel Hayom saying that he is shocked that Bennett would disobey orders.

Israel Radio News reports two violent incidents which took place in the West Bank yesterday. Two assailants attacked a soldier with pepper spray at the entrance to a military base, stole his weapon and escaped. Meanwhile, Palestinians threw three firebombs at an IDF outpost near Nablus. No injuries or damage was reported.

On a different note, Yediot Ahronot highlights expected extreme weather conditions this weekend in Israel, as does Israel Hayom.