The Times and the online editions of the Telegraph and Independent all report that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein for his legal opinion on changing the rules of engagement for security forces in Jerusalem, when facing rock-throwing and the danger of other projectiles including firebombs. The move follows a recent spate of attacks including one on Sunday, which led to the death of a 64-year-old man in Jerusalem. Netanyahu is reportedly investigating the possibility of authorising sniper fire against these assailants.

The Independent i reports that the United Nations Middle East envoy has said that reconstruction in the Gaza Strip is gathering pace, following the destruction as a result of last summer’s conflict.

The Financial Times covers the announcement this week that Prime Minister Netanyahu will visit Moscow on Monday to meet Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. The article says that Netanyahu will discuss concerns that the increased Russian military presence in Syria will see weapons find their way into the hands of Hezbollah. The Guardian says that a large Russian convoy has already been spotted in central Syria and that Russia is readying not simply to prop up the Assad regime, but to run the Syrian government’s military effort.

The Guardian online covers a reply by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon to a parliamentary question, revealing that UK air strikes have killed around 330 ISIS fighters within the last year. Fallon estimated that there had been no civilian casualties as a result of the operations.

Writing in the Financial Times, Phillip Stevens says that the United States must engage with Iran beyond the recent nuclear deal if Washington wants to have a greater influence in the region. In Iran itself, the Guardian online says that the grandson of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini may stand for election to the Assembly of Experts, which selects the country’s supreme leader. He is thought to share a similar political stance to President Hassan Rouhani.

In the Israeli media, the focus remains recent violence in and around Jerusalem, especially rock-throwing and firebomb attacks. Following a serious disturbance on the Temple Mount earlier this week, Maariv leads with a heightened state of alert in Jerusalem due to the fear of further clashes anticipated following Friday prayers. As noted by Israel Radio news, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have called for a “day of rage” among Palestinians. Israel Hayom leads with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination to crack down on those throwing rocks, firebombs and other projectiles. Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot’s top story is a suggestion by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked that the parents of rock throwers should be hit with a hefty fine.

Israel Radio news highlights more incidents of violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank overnight. They include a firebomb thrown at an Israeli vehicle in the West Bank, which caused the car to flip over although the driver was unharmed. Meanwhile, an empty bus in East Jerusalem was set ablaze and rocks were thrown in several Jerusalem locations.

Another prominent item in Israel Hayom is the vote yesterday at the General Assembly of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which rejected an Egyptian-led resolution to mandate inspections of Israel’s suspected nuclear facilities. The vote was hailed by Netanyahu as a “great” diplomatic victory for Israel. All European Union states, United States, Canada, Australia and several African and Pacific nations voted against the motion.