The Independent and the online edition of the Guardian both report that Israel’s Defence Ministry announced late yesterday that approval has been given by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman for the construction of 3,000 new homes in the West Bank.

Another item in the Independent says that the Knesset began a debate yesterday on the controversial Regulation Bill, which if approved would retroactively permit West Bank settlers to live in homes built on private Palestinian land. The article says that the debate could last as long as a week after a huge number of opposition amendments were submitted.

The Times reports that Israeli authorities say nine Venezuelan Jews will be allowed to live in Israel, after Venezuelan officials initially questioned whether they are committed Jews or simply seeking a better life.

The Financial Times says that Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin has apologised to his Mexican counterpart, President Pena Nieto, after Prime Minister Netanyahu appeared via social media to support US President Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. Rivlin is quoted having “lamented the misunderstanding caused by this tweet”.

The Daily Express covers comments made by Conservative MP Nigel Adams in the House of Commons yesterday, who noted that six of the seven Muslim-majority countries from which entry will be temporarily banned by US President Trump’s executive order, ban Israelis from their own countries. The article notes that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson added: “I think it’s right the House should be aware of that discrimination.” In a piece titled “Hypocrisy over Israel visits,” the Daily Mail adds that due to the difficulties entering some of these countries with an Israeli stamp, HM Passport Office will routinely provide a second passport to those travelling to Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East.

The i reports that the United Nations’ (UN) Security Council is set to meet to discuss Iran’s ballistic missile test, which took place earlier this week. The Financial Times says that the rocket firing “puts Trump strategy to the test”. The Times predicts that naval confrontation in the Gulf between Iran and the US is likely and will “test President Trump’s resolve”.

In the Israeli media, the top story in Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom, Maariv and Haaretz is the impending evacuation of the Amona outpost in the West Bank. Following a military order giving residents 48 hours to leave their homes, there is speculation that the evacuation could take place today. Israel Radio news reports that hundreds of teenagers, who oppose the evacuation, have evaded the military and reached Amona. However, Maariv says that most Amona residents said they will not actively resist eviction and would not employ violence against the soldiers and police. The High Court ruled that the outpost was built illegally on private Palestinian land and must be removed.

Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom both prominently report the Defence Ministry announcement approving the construction of 3,000 new homes in the West Bank. The announcement said: “The decision comes as part of the return to normal life in Judea and Samaria [West Bank] and conduct that facilitates a real response to living and housing needs.”

Israel Radio reports that the prosecution has requested that sgt. Elor Azaria receive a prison sentence between three and five years. Azaria was convicted of manslaughter last month in a military court, following a highly controversial and emotive trial. He shot dead a wounded Palestinian terrorist in the West Bank city of Hebron last year.

Israel Radio also says that the High Court yesterday issued an interim injunction instructing Prime Minister Netanyahu to explain why he should not resign or suspend himself from his posts as foreign minister and communications minister. A hearing will be held at the end of March in front of an expanded panel.