The Financial Times, Business Insider and Reuters report on the Syrian drone intercepted by Israel in the Golan Heights. The FT reports that the drone flew 10km into Israeli territory before “being shot down using a Patriot missile near the Sea of Galilee”. This is not the first time that Israel have intercepted a drone, as the FT reports, a Patriot missile was set off two weeks ago to change the course of a drone “heading towards Israel”. Reuters reports that the Russian-backed offensive currently taking place in Southern Syria is predicted to move further towards the Golan Heights as it is “expected to turn next to rebel parts of Quneitra”.

The Express reports that Israel has begun airstrikes in Syria. The IDF (Israel Defence Force) confirmed that it had targeted “three military posts” in Syria and that it would continue to
“to operate determinedly and decisively against any attempts to hurt Israeli civilians and breaches of Israeli sovereignty”. The Express reports that the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that “23 military personnel, including Syrians and non-Syrians” were killed in the recent airstrikes.

The Daily Mail reports that Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors basketball player, has provoked controversy by visiting Israel and taking part in target practice with the Israeli border police. Green also gave a replica of his jersey to President Reuven Rivlin. Green was reportedly on a trip organised by Friends of the Israel Defence Forces. He has previously said he would refuse to meet US President Donald Trump because of political differences.

The Times reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged President Vladimir Putin to aid in the removal of Iranian forces from Syria. It is reported that Netanyahu and Putin discussed a “grand bargain” in Moscow yesterday in which US President Donald Trump would drop sanctions against Russia and “recognised Russia’s annexation of Crimea” in return for Russian support to help curb Iranian power in Syria. The Times reports that there is growing concerns that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit may suggest President Trump is looking towards going against the European allies position over “the fate of Ukraine after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014”.

All the Israeli papers report the meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Russian President Putin. Yediot Ahronot quotes a senior Israeli official: “A realistic opportunity to force Iran out of Syria has been created. That isn’t an unrealistic demand. Russia doesn’t like the Iranian presence in Syria either, and it seems that Assad too has figured out that the Iranians deceived them and are exploiting him to advance their own interests. That is why maximum coordination with the Russians and all the other players involved is important.” Israel Hayom leads with Netanyahu telling Putin: “We will thwart every infiltration of Israeli territory.” The paper’s commentary notes: “Notwithstanding the smiles, the handshakes and the positive atmosphere, Jerusalem is frustrated by the absence of either the desire or the ability by Russia to force Iran and its proxies out of the Syrian arena.” Yediot Ahronot’s Nahum Barnea says: “Netanyahu would like to cut a deal with the Russian president: Israeli consent to Assad retaking control over Syria in exchange for a Russian commitment to oust Iran from Syria. That isn’t going to happen, and the reasons are clear.” According to Maariv: “Israel has sought to clarify three key points prior to the summit, which is supposed to address events in Syria, among other issues. First, Israel seeks to ensure that the Israeli-Syrian armistice agreement that was signed 1974 will be honoured, meaning that there will be no military forces in the buffer zone.  Second, Israel has demanded that all Iranian troops leave all of Syria’s territory. Third, Israel has sought to make clear that it reserves the right to retaliate, anywhere and at any time, against Iranian provocations on the ground. In exchange, Israel and the United States will accept Syrian President Bashar Assad remaining in power.”

All the Israeli newspapers report the UAV that was intercepted yesterday afternoon.  Maariv, quotes IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis saying: “We scrambled four fighters and two helicopter gunships, and at the same time we readied the Patriot battery, which fired one missile from the area of Safed, which hit and shot down the UAV.” He added: “It was probably an unmanned recon drone, and shards of it fell south of the Sea of Galilee.” The IDF has not yet determined whether it was an error or deliberate action.

Haaretz report another day of flying firebombs which yesterday caused 27 fires on the Israeli side of the Gaza border. An Israeli aircraft fired warning shots toward a Hamas cell that was launching the devices. They also note the IDF arrested a Palestinian trying to breach the border fence. According to the IDF, the suspect was caught with combustible materials and a metal cutter and was transferred to security forces for further questioning.