The Guardian and Independent both report that the head of a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) committee formed to investigate alleged war crimes during Operation Protective Edge has resigned. William Schabas’s appointment to the position was heavily criticised by Israeli officials at the time due to his prior public criticism of Israel and its leaders. Also taking into account the UNHRC’s consistent hostility towards Israel, the Israeli government decided not to officially cooperate with the investigation. However, it emerged recently that Schabas had been hired in 2012 by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) to construct a legal opinion, further clouding his position. He announced yesterday that he would resign after the UNHRC sought legal advice on the issue.

The Independent i says that Jordan has returned its Ambassador to Israel, having temporarily recalled him several months ago due to tension on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Jordanian authorities said yesterday that it would send its envoy back to Tel Aviv, as Israel has taken steps to ease friction at the site.

The Daily Mirror includes a feature on the zoo at Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, where there is an exhibition of embalmed animals which died during Operation Protective Edge during the summer.

The Telegraph online says that Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is embroiled in disagreement with relative regime hard-liners in Tehran over the fate of ‘Green Revolution’ leaders Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who have been under house arrest since 2011 after they stood in opposition to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and led street protests during the 2009 election. Rouhani pledged to release political prisoners, but other Iranian leaders favour maintaining restrictions on Moussavi and Karroubi. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail says that Iran has launched a new, fourth satellite into space, as international concerns continue over the country’s nuclear development.

The Times online highlights an Egyptian court decision yesterday, which upheld the death sentences of 183 men for killing 11 policemen and two civilians in August 2013 during a protest in support of the Muslim Brotherhood, which was ousted from power by President al-Sisi. The US State Department said it is “deeply concerned” by the sentences.

In the Israeli media, the top story in Haaretz and also a major item in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Israel Hayom, is the announcement yesterday by the State Comptroller that he will issue a long-anticipated report into the controversial expenses at the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in two weeks time, exactly a month ahead of Israel’s general election. Allegations have emerged during the past week surrounding excessive alcohol expenses and claims that Netanyahu’s wife ordered staff to meticulously collect the empty bottles from official functions and return them to collect deposits which she then kept. Yediot Ahronot says that the Attorney General will now review the material and decide whether to recommend a criminal investigation.

The top story in Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom, which is also covered prominently in Maariv is the ceremony yesterday to honour 54 soldiers and officers who were cited for bravery during Operation Protective Edge during the summer. The recipients were handed awards by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon.

Meanwhile, Maariv and Yediot Ahronot cover serious overcrowding in Israeli hospitals particularly during the past several days. Reports say that Tel Hashomer’s intensive care unit had a 350% occupancy rate and that patients at several hospitals reported waiting 10 hours before admission. The chronic overcrowding is partly put down to the high number of seasonal viruses during the winter.