The Daily Mail says that in a meeting over the weekend, Pope Francis called Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas an “angel of peace” after he handed him a medallion depicting an angel, during an official exchange of gifts. The Guardian online includes a feature on a new skate park, funded by an international NGO, for orphans in the PA-controlled city of Bethlehem.

The Independent online reports that an Arab film crew claims that it was treated heavy-handedly by Israeli policemen as they attempted to film Sunday’s Jerusalem Day parade at the entrance to the Old City.

The Times says that Iranian-backed Shi’ite forces are gathering to fight against ISIS in the Iraqi city of Ramadi and that the Pentagon says Washington “sees a role” for the Iranian affiliate, so long as they remain under Iraqi control. In the Guardian online, Hamdi Malik and Maysam Beharesh write an analysis which suggests that the Iranian-backed Shia militias are increasing their strength in Iraq, but are also being brought under Iraqi control. The Telegraph online adds that Sunni anti-ISIS forces are also readying to take up the battle. Meanwhile, the Times report also mentions that Israeli intelligence believes that ISIS’s financial resources are significantly dwindling.

The Times online reports that two dozen American Delta Force troops took part in a successful raid on an ISIS command centre in Syria on Saturday.

In the Israeli media, the top item in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Israel Hayom is a wave of arrests made yesterday targeting a series of suspected top organised crime figures.

Another significant item in Yediot Ahronot and Maariv is an apparent brewing confrontation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Likud MK Gilad Erdan, who did not receive a ministerial portfolio of his choosing last week. Netanyahu this week sacked by phone the Director General of the Communications Ministry, who had been appointed by Erdan. In an apparent retaliatory move, Erdan yesterday announced that he would introduce a bill to dismantle communications giant Bezeq.

Meanwhile, Maariv and Israel Radio both report that Interior Minister Silvan Shalom has been appointed by Netanyahu to head Israel’s negotiating efforts should peace talks resume with the Palestinian Authority (PA). Shalom has held a range of ministerial positions over the years, including having served as Foreign Minister. As Minister of National Infrastructure in the last government, he concluded a water sharing treaty with the PA and Jordan.