The online edition of the Telegraph covers comments made by outgoing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who said that last week’s Israeli elections “opens doors” towards peace and that she expects her successor John Kerry to pursue such an opportunity. The same publication also reports that Israel has summoned the Argentinian ambassador to protest an agreement between the South American country and Iran to jointly investigate a 1994 bomb which destroyed a Jewish community building in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people. Iran and its Hezbollah proxy have been widely linked to the attack. The Telegraph online also covers Israel’s refusal to cooperate with the UN Human Rights Council’s review of the country, in protest at the body’s apparent disproportionate criticism of Israel. The Financial Times and the Independent i both report on yesterday’s announcement by Stanley Fischer that he will retire as Governor of the Bank of Israel in June following what is widely perceived as a successful eight years in the job. The online edition of the Guardian reports on an appeal by Israel’s President Shimon Peres against displays of racism by the supporters of an Israeli football team. In the same publication, there is also a feature on a female Israeli combat soldier in light of the recent decision to permit female combatants in the US military.

There are a number of stories covering the ongoing violent internal conflict in Syria this morning. The online editions of the Times, Guardian, Telegraph, Independent and Financial Times report that the bodies of between 60 – 80 young men, all Sunni Muslims, have been retrieved from a river bed in Aleppo following what appears to be their killing by forces loyal to President Assad. Meanwhile, the Telegraph and Independent online notes that the UN announced it is struggling to cope with the “unrelenting flow” of Syrian refugees, which has risen “dramatically” of late. The online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph report that according to a Lebanese newspaper, President Assad and his wife are expecting their fourth child.

The Times online report that the chief of Egypt’s armed forces has warned that the military could intervene if the turmoil in the country over the past few days threatens the stability of the state. Meanwhile, it is widely reported that the editor of the Sunday Times has apologised unreservedly to Jewish community leaders for the “terrible mistake” of publishing a cartoon which appeared to portray Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu building a wall using the blood of Palestinians as mortar. The apology is covered in the Guardian, Independent, Telegraph, Daily Mail, Times and Independent i.

In the Israeli media, the announcement by Stanley Fischer of his departure as Governor of the Bank of Israel is a major headline in most dailies. Israel Hayom describes it as a “bombshell,” while Haaretz calls it “abrupt.” Maariv claims that Fischer turned down overtures by Prime Minister Netanyahu over becoming the next finance minister. Meanwhile, writing in Yediot Ahronot, Sever Plocker says that Fischer was disappointed at Netanyahu’s refusal to pass the 2013 budget in the previous Knesset and his reluctance to talk with the Palestinians.

Israel Hayom and Israel Radio News report that President Shimon Peres will be officially presented with the election results this afternoon and will then begin consultations with party leaders over who he should invite to form the next government. Peres will reportedly meet with representatives from Likud-Beitenu and Yesh Atid today and the remaining ten parties tomorrow. Haaretz reports that in the coalition negotiations which will follow, Yesh Atid will demand control of the finance and housing ministries.

Another major story this morning in Maariv, Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon is the decision by the Attorney General to open an investigation against former-chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi and his former aide Erez Weiner in connection with the ‘Harpaz Affair.’ Ashkenazi will be investigated for breaking military law and conduct unbecoming of an officer over his role in the bitter dispute between himself and former-defence minister Ehud Barak over a senior military appointment which involved smears by both sides and forged documents.