BBC News reports that at least 14 Syrian civilians have been killed by air strikes and artillery fire in the opposition-held northern province of Idlib, activists say.

The Daily Mail reports that Israel has accused Turkey of ‘turning a blind eye’ to Hamas by allowing the group to plot attacks on Jerusalem from Istanbul

Reuters reports that the Palestinian Authority (PA) said on Tuesday that its national election must also be held in East Jerusalem, an area annexed by Israel, raising a demand on which a still-unscheduled vote could hinge.

The Daily Telegraph reports that one of Benjamin Netanyahu’s former ministers, Gideon Saar, has launched a leadership campaign to topple him as head of the Likud Party in an election primary, saying there was “no chance” the embattled prime minister could win another election.

In The Jewish Chronicle, Anshel Pfeffer asks whether the Israeli election on 2 March 2020 may act as a convenient excuse for Palestinians not to confront obstacles concerning how and when their own elections, currently scheduled for February 2020, will be held.

BBC News reports that young Shia Muslim men clashed with police in Lebanon’s capital overnight, after a video emerged purportedly insulting religious figures they revere. The youths, reportedly supporters of the Hezbollah and Amal movements, set cars ablaze and threw stones at police, who used tear gas and water cannon to disperse them.

The Guardian reports that Syrian refugees are returning to towns in the Turkish-designed ‘safe zone’ despite dangers, as thousands make the move over the border from Turkey but few are going voluntarily, NGOs say.

The Financial Times reports that Russia will invest $500m in the port of Tartus in its largest ever investment in Syria, as Moscow seeks to leverage its position as the most powerful foreign player in the war-torn country.

In The Financial Times, David Sheppard argues betting on a rise in crude oil remains a risky gambit for investors to take, as dividends represent attractive incentives but pursuing rallies in oil price remains a ‘perilous’ game due to market fluctuations.

Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia turned to its Gulf ally the United Arab Emirates when it needed help convincing Russia to sign up to deeper oil supply cuts at this month’s OPEC meeting. The UAE’s role in the talks marks a change from years past and highlights Russia’s rising clout in the region.

The Independent reports that Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to recognise the killing of Native Americans at the hand of European settlers in a tit-for-tat attack on Congress’s decision to rebuke Ankara for the Armenian genocide. The Daily Telegraph reports that the legislation passed by the US Senate is seen as largely symbolic, but the timing and the subject – highly controversial among Turks – has been viewed by Ankara as a deliberate provocation.

Israel’s Kan Radio News reports that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit will issue a legal opinion before the election as to whether Benjamin Netanyahu can be asked to form a government after being indicted. In his response to a petition that was filed to the High Court of Justice, Mandelblit said he was considering informing the court that he has formulated a legal opinion on the issue, and he may announce a date when he will publish that legal opinion.

All the Israeli media report that an Israeli aircraft hit an armed man who approached the security fence along the Israel – Gaza border. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the man was killed in the strike. He was spotted by an IDF look out from the Gaza Division as he was approaching the Israeli side of the border, carrying weapons. According to the IDF, despite the incident there have been no changes in the guidelines issued to the residents of Israeli communities close to the border.

All the Israeli media report the announcement by Justice Minister Amir Ohana that he intends to appoint attorney Orly Ben-Ari Ginsberg, to the position of acting state attorney.  This is viewed as a controversial replacement for retiring state attorney Shai Nitzan, as she is not considered to be a member of the upper echelon in the State Attorney’s Office. Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit protested the decision as “extremely unreasonable,” citing Ben Ari Ginsberg’s inadequate qualifications and noting the existence of other better qualified candidates. Mandelblit may even oppose the appointment if the decision is referred to the High Court of Justice.