The Independent and Independent i both report that Israeli and Palestinian leaders remain far apart in their positions on the framework plan being constructed by US Secretary of State John Kerry, with two months to go before the original framework for peace talks expires. The reports say that Palestinian recognition of Israel as a characteristically Jewish state and East Jerusalem as a future Palestinian capital are two major sticking points.

The online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph report that an American inmate was killed yesterday in an Israeli prison after he opened fire on prison guards. The prisoner, in his thirties, had fled to Israel having murdered a man in Maryland in 1997 and successfully fought extradition as an Israeli citizen. Following agreement between the two countries, he was tried and sentenced in Israel, but yesterday died after having stolen a weapon and injured several prison guards.

The Independent i and online edition of the Guardian report that ousted Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi was yesterday accused by a state prosecutor of having shared state secrets with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Morsi is also accused of having conspired with Hamas and Hezbollah against Egyptian interests. The Times notes that Dr Hala Shukrallah has become the first female party leader in Egypt, having been elected leader of the Constitution Party, formerly led by Nobel Prize winner Mohammed El-Baradei.

The online editions of the Telegraph and Guardian both cover the killing of a senior al-Qaeda figure in Syria by fellow Islamist group ISIS, which was officially disowned by al-Qaeda just weeks ago. Both articles say it is further evidence of the fractured nature of the opposition to the Assad regime. Writing in the Independent online, Patrick Cockburn says that the ingredients are in place for a long Syrian war, with nobody capable of a decisive military victory and diplomatic progress unlikely.

Also in the Independent, Robert Fisk interviews Palestinian scholar of Islam Tarif Khalidi, who bemoans the decline of Christianity in the Arab Middle East.

In the Israeli media, the shoot-out at Rimonim Prison yesterday afternoon, between American prisoner Samuel Sheinbein and security personnel is widely covered. Israel Radio news says the Prisons Service and Israel Police have launched separate investigations into the incident. It appears that Sheinbein, who was serving a term for murder in Maryland, had smuggled a weapon into prison. It is the lead story in Haaretz and Yediot Ahronot, whose headline declares “madness and failure.” The incident is also covered prominently in Maariv and Israel Hayom.

The top story in Maariv covers comments made yesterday by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, who questioned whether the proposed legislation to mandate drafting ultra-Orthodox seminary students currently being debated, would create truly equal military service. He added that the Knesset committee debating the bill had only partially accepted the IDF’s recommendation on general manpower issues.

Meanwhile, both Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom preview today’s state visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will arrive in Israel accompanied by 16 cabinet members. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Shimon Shiffer comments, “Merkel is willing to take Israel’s side in an absolute manner except on one issue—the Palestinians,” over which she is prepared to be critical of Israeli policy. Israel Radio news says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold two meetings with Merkel during her visit, a joint cabinet session will take place and a variety of cooperation agreements will be signed.