The Times, Independent, Independent i and Metro all report the announcement yesterday that the Shin Bet intelligence agency uncovered a 30-strong Hamas cell which planned a series of large-scale attacks on Israelis at targets in Jerusalem including the city’s football stadium and light railway system. Arrests were made in recent weeks, during which bomb-making equipment and arms were found. The cell was thought to have been coordinated by Hamas leaders in Turkey.

The online edition of the Guardian includes an edited version of a speech delivered earlier this week by Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin in which he expressed his opposition to the controversial so-called ‘Jewish State’ bill. He said that the initiative, which enshrines Israel as a Jewish state but which opponents say will denigrate minority communities, could aid Israel’s critics and emphasised that Judaism and democracy are co-dependent foundations of the state.

In the Telegraph, Con Coughlin argues that the UK must become more involved in Syria, despite the political complications, as a more active role is crucial in stopping the terror threat of British jihadis in Syria returning to attack the UK. In the Guardian, Ian Black reports that Jordanian authorities are cracking down, with some success, on all support or sympathy with ISIS. Meanwhile, the Times says that Hezbollah is recruiting and militarily training Christians in Lebanon in an improbable alliance against a potential ISIS incursion.

The Times reports that an Egyptian court has sentenced 78 boys aged between thirteen and seventeen to between two to five years in prison for participating in demonstrations calling for the return to power of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In the Israeli media, Maariv highlights an exchange yesterday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former-President Shimon Peres at a memorial service for Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben Gurion. Peres questioned the ‘Jewish State’ bill, which Netanyahu supports and commented that it would “subjugate the Declaration of Independence for fleeting political needs.”

Meanwhile, the rumours over political manoeuvring to determine whether elections may be held or not continue. Haaretz says that the ‘Jewish State’ bill has given Netanyahu a pretext for elections. On the front page of Maariv, Ben Caspit says that if Netanyahu receives the support of ultra-Orthodox Knesset factions, then he will move towards elections. Israel Hayom quotes Netanyahu associates saying that they are ready for elections if necessary.

The front page of Yediot Ahronot is dominated by an apparent peace plan authored by Yisrael Beitenu leader and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman as part of his party’s election platform. The plan reportedly revolves around giving up portions of the West Bank in return for a comprehensive regional agreement with the Arab world. It also incorporates a potential population swap between some Jewish Israelis in the West Bank and a number of Arab Israelis in the north and centre of the country. Lieberman will apparently promote his plan next week at conferences in both Europe and United States.