There are widespread reports this morning that Israel carried out an airstrike in Syria in the early hours of Wednesday morning against a convoy of trucks transporting sophisticated Russian-made anti-aircraft weaponry and equipment, which was likely destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Times, Guardian, Telegraph, Financial Times, Evening Standard, Metro and Independent report that there has been no comment from Israeli officials on the alleged incident, but quote Western diplomatic sources or Israeli commentators who largely conclude that the target was a delivery of SA-17 anti-aircraft missiles which could have challenged Israeli air supremacy. Syrian state television claimed that the Israel had struck a different location, a military research centre near Jamraya. All reports note that the alleged incident underscores increased Israeli warnings in recent days over the dangers of chemical weapons being transported to Hezbollah amidst the chaos of the Syrian conflict.

The online edition of the Telegraph covers a report in Maariv that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apparently told a delegation of visiting American Jewish leaders that a potential Israeli strike was capable of causing “significant damage” against Iranian nuclear facilities, whereas “the United States is capable of carrying out perfectly.”

The Times online includes a feature on Israel’s version of the television show Masterchef, which reached its climax this week. The final included two women, one Jewish and one Arab who have become close friends during the course of the show.  The online edition of the Telegraph reports that a Syrian opposition leader announced via his Facebook page that he is willing to enter into negotiations with President Assad’s regime.  Such an offer would be the first time that either side has indicated a willingness to talk to the other, although a spokesman for the opposition figure stressed that he was speaking in a “personal capacity.” Meanwhile, the Guardian online reports that a donor conference of Arab Gulf states in Kuwait yesterday pledged around $1.5billion in humanitarian aid to Syria. The Financial Times online covers the ongoing violent protests in Egypt, which yesterday entered a seventh day during which two protesters were killed in Cairo.

The Israeli media this morning is also dominated by the reported Israeli air strike against a Syrian weapons convoy en route to Lebanon. Although there has been silence from Israeli officials on the incident, the headlines in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Makor Rishon focus on Syria’s claim that an Israeli strike took place at an installation near Damascus. However, all articles speculate with the aid of foreign reports, that the target was a delivery to Hezbollah of advanced SA-17 interception missiles. Israel Hayom’s headline calls it a “Pre-emptive strike,” while Haaretz focuses on Israeli concerns over a possible Hezbollah response to the incident. Writing in Israel Hayom, Yoav Limor hopes that “the combination of Israeli deterrence, international diplomacy and common sense,” will deter any possible recriminations. However, Alex Fishman in Yediot Ahronot says “we can assume that Israel is closer today to a conflagration on its northern front than it was at any point since the end of the Second Lebanon War.”

In other news, Haaretz, Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon all report that Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid yesterday recommended to President Shimon Peres that Benjamin Netanyahu should be asked to form Israel’s next government. Yediot Ahronot speculates that Lapid and Netanyahu will eventually agree to a government consisting of 24 ministers after Lapid had advocated for a limit of 18 ministers. Israel Radio News reports that President Peres will continue to meet with party leaders throughout today and will tomorrow announce who he will invite to form a government.