A letter to the editor in the Times, signed by former Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt and four other MPs, including representatives from the three major parties, urges that US Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to broker peace “must not be allowed to fade.” The letter outlines the benefits of an agreement to a two-state solution for both Israelis and Palestinians and calls on “friends of both sides” to encourage such a resolution.

The Guardian, Independent i and the online editions of the Independent and Financial Times report that President Assad’s forces have taken control of Syria’s third largest city, Homs for the first time in more than two years. All reports agree that it marks a significant blow to the opposition groups seeking Assad’s downfall, with Homs considered both the cradle of the uprising against Assad in 2011 and the last major barrier to full control of the path between Damascus and the coast. The Times highlights the major role of Hezbollah during the past year in helping Assad gain control of this strategic area. Meanwhile, the Telegraph online emphasises the role played by Iran in negotiating yesterday’s ceasefire which allowed the remaining opposition fighters to leave Homs, facilitating the Syrian army’s entry into the city.

The Independent i includes a caption and photo of a 19-year-old Syrian brown bear called Mango, which underwent innovative surgery yesterday at the Ramat Gan Zoological Centre near Tel Aviv, to repair a herniated disc.

In the Israeli media, the top story in Israel Hayom and Maariv-NRG is a dispute between Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon and Finance Minister Yair Lapid over the defence budget. Ya’alon claimed yesterday that cuts would seriously damage both the standing army and the reserves as it would necessitate a significant reduction in training.

Fallout from the recent incidents of ‘Price Tag’ attacks, acts of vandalism against Arab and Palestinian property, is widely covered. According to Walla News, a 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with seven hate crimes in the northern town of Yokneam. Israel Radio news says that the man is a follower of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, renowned for his extremist views. Haaretz says that security officials believe that around 100 people are responsible for the recent series of ‘Price Tag’ incidents in the north of the country. Israel Radio news reports on an emergency meeting of senior leaders called by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and attended by Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, at which both called for greater measures to be granted to stop the attacks, including security cabinet designation of ‘Price Tag’ attacks as terrorist incidents.

Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon all report that charges of sexual assault against Minister for Energy and Water Silvan Shalom have been dropped by the Attorney General. Shalom was expected to announce his candidacy for the presidency before the allegations came to light. He is now expected to decide within the coming couple of weeks whether to throw his hat into the ring to succeed Shimon Peres this summer.