BBC News reports that there have been 200 air strikes on opposition-held territory in northern Syria in the last three days, mainly targeting civilians, the US has said. Special envoy James Jeffrey told reporters the attacks in Idlib province had been carried out by the Syrian government and Russia. The Times reports that at least ten civilians were killed after an airstrike hit a bakery and a hospital in the last rebel-held province of Syria as regime forces made further gains in the northwest.

The Independent and Reuters reports that Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and architect of his new peace deal, has said that the US will not support Israel annexing settlements in the occupied West Bank until after its elections in March. The Telegraph reports that former US President Jimmy Carter has said that Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan would violate international law and urged the United Nations to stop Israel from annexing Palestinian land.

The Associated Press reports that the Israeli military said on Friday that it launched “wide-scale” airstrikes on militant targets in the Gaza Strip shortly after Palestinian militants fired three rockets into Israel, two of which were intercepted.

The Financial Times reports that bonds issued by Lebanon have taken a beating this week, as local banks unsure of repayment have offloaded them to foreign investors happy to take high risks for high returns.

Reuters reports that Iraq’s military said on Thursday it was resuming operations with the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State which had mostly halted after bases hosting U.S. troops came under rocket attacks and a U.S. drone strike killed a top Iranian commander.

Reuters reports that U.S. President Donald Trump promised on Thursday during a speech in Michigan to reverse course on deportations of Iraqi Christians whom his administration sought to remove earlier in his term, but gave no specifics.

Reuters reports that China’s crude oil imports from top supplier Saudi Arabia rose nearly 47% in 2019, customs data showed on Friday.

Reuters reports that US Defence Secretary, Mark Esper, has defended President Donald Trump’s response to American troops’ being diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after the number of service members diagnosed increased to 64 – the injuries were sustained during Iran’s missile strike on an Iraqi base housing US troops.

The Guardian editorial says Libya’s population have suffered years of turmoil fuelled by the meddling of outside players, whilst the country’s civil war may yet escalate in the absence of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement.

In The Guardian, Ian Black argues President Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’ represents another bleak milestone for the Middle East as, by backing Israeli annexation and denying Palestinians their rights, Trump has only perpetuated the conflict.

In The Guardian, Yara Hawari says President Trump’s ‘peace’ deal flagrantly tramples on Palestinian rights and freedoms, asserting Trump’s plan is simply a continuation of US-Israel policy.

In the Financial Times, Edward Luce argues President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are constituents of a ‘global league of populists’,  as Trump’s peace plan will not deliver peace but may boost the respective re-election prospects of both leaders.

In the Financial Times, James Politi argues the Trump administration is beginning to lean on sanctions to shape its foreign policy agenda, which some fear will cause long-term damage to the status of the dollar through trade restrictions.

In the Associated Press, Aron Heller says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had a week coloured by ‘an indictment, a plan and a pardon’, in a period which will define Netanyahu’s political career.

All the Israeli media report the release from Russian prison of Israeli woman Naama Issachar and her return home on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plane. Netanyahu had travelled to Moscow directly from Washington after Russian President Vladmir Putin pardoned Issachar for a drug smuggling conviction. Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Netanyahu said: “I would like to thank you on behalf of the people of Israel for your quick decision to give a pardon to Naama Issachar. This moves all of us and our gratitude is on behalf of all Israeli citizens, from the heart.” Netanyahu and Putin also discussed the recently released US plan and other regional issues. Issachar said she was still in shock but wanted to thank everyone for their support.

All the Israeli media report the decision by the Israeli Health Ministry to stop all flights to Israel from China due to the coronavirus outbreak. Health Minister Yaakov Litzman said any Israelis returning from China in recent days were requested to quarantine themselves at home for two weeks. A handful of suspected coronavirus cases have occurred in Israel, but so far tests have all proved negative.

Yediot Ahronot reports that Avigdor Lieberman promised yesterday there would be no fourth election. In a speech at the Institute for National Security Studies’ annual conference he said: “Look me in the eye—there will be no fourth elections.” Lieberman criticised Prime Minister Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz for dragging the country to a third election because of what he described as ‘ego considerations.’