In the UK and international press today, the Independent notes that Israel is preparing to free 550 Palestinian prisoners as part of the second round of the prisoner exchange deal involving the release of Gilad Shalit. Reuters and BBC Online report that a Palestinian mosque was torched yesterday in the West Bank village of Burka in what is believed to be another “price tag” attack by settler extremists. In other news, the Independent reports that Human Rights Watch said yesterday that Syrian military commanders authorised and gave direct orders for widespread killings as the anti-government protests continue and the death toll rises.

On Israeli front pages today, Haaretz notes that EU embassies in Israel have drafted a document, sent to EU headquarters, addressing the issue of the Arab minority in Israel. The paper also notes that settler extremists torched a mosque in the West Bank village of Burka in response to the IDF’s removal of an illegal outpost in Mitzpeh Yitzhar. The Jerusalem Post notes that thirty percent of IDF forces in the West Bank are focused on preventing “price tag” attacks by settlers on Palestinians. Israel Hayom reports that the Likud party will hold its primaries on 31 January.

In other news, the papers note that Iceland became the first western European country to formally recognise a Palestinian state. Ynetnews notes that Brig.-Gen. Nitzan Alon has been appointed as the next GOC Central Command and will be promoted to the rank of Major-General. Haaretz reports that President Shimon Peres yesterday met with settler leaders and condemned the latest round of attacks by settler extremists in the West Bank.