The Independent i reports that the Palestinian Authority (PA) Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki yesterday submitted evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague of alleged Israeli war crimes. The PA hopes that the submission will further an ICC preliminary investigation into complaints against Israel, although the decision on whether to proceed further could take several years.

The Telegraph online covers comments made in the Knesset on Wednesday by Likud’s Deputy Interior Minister Yaron Mazuz, during a debate over easing restrictions on Palestinians who marry Israelis adopting Israeli citizenship. Mazuz questioned the loyalty of some Arab MKs and told them, “Give back your ID cards. We are doing you a favour by letting you be here.” Mazuz was condemned by opposition MKs and coalition representatives.

The Independent online reports that an animal charity is campaigning to rescue two lion cubs currently living in a residential home in the Gaza Strip, after they were bought as a present by a man for his grandchildren.

With just days before the deadline to conclude a deal over Iran’s nuclear development, the Times and the online edition of the Financial Times both report that a bipartisan group of former-US foreign policy and security officials, including one-time Obama aides have published a letter warning that the agreement currently under discussion is too generous towards Iran. The Independent i says that US lawmakers are also warning that the nascent deal is “weak” and will not deter Iran’s nuclear ambitions. An editorial in the Financial Times argues that the United States must stand its ground and insist on provision for robust inspections of Iranian sites and verification of compliance.

The online editions of the Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Financial Times and Independent all report that ISIS yesterday launched counter-attacks against Kurdish fighters in the northern Syrian towns of Kobani and Hasakah, having lost ground there in recent weeks.

The Guardian online says that a New York-based watchdog reports that journalists in Egypt face unprecedented threat and that more reporters are behind bars than at any point since 1990.

The top story in Maariv and also a major item in Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom and Haaretz is the Security Cabinet’s deliberations yesterday on a compromise agreement between the government and the two prime investors in Israel’s off-shore natural gas development. The agreement is supposed to represent the end of great uncertainty regarding the industry’s future over how to distribute profits. However, Economy Minister and Shas leader Aryeh Deri delayed approval yesterday by refusing to bypass the Antitrust Authority. The agreement remains likely to be finalised and Ben Caspit in Maariv explains Deri’s move saying he “is fighting for his legitimacy as a politician.”

Israel Radio news reports that the White House announced it opposes the PA’s moves at the ICC to push for an investigation of alleged Israeli war crimes, saying that it is a detrimental action. US lawmakers have apparently warned that the move could endanger US financial aid to the PA.

Meanwhile, Maariv, Haaretz and Yediot Ahronot all prominently report what Yediot refers to as “basketball history.” For the first time ever, Hapoel Jerusalem last night won Israel’s national basketball championship, breaking the traditional monopoly of Maccabi Tel Aviv.