The Times, Telegraph and the online edition of the Guardian all cover the visit of US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel to Israel, his first trip to the region since taking office. All reports emphasise a new arms deal which will see Israel receive important US-made air equipment including transport planes and refuelling tankers, which Hagel described as sending “a very clear signal” to Iran over its nuclear programme.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times online reports that US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday urged Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to delay a planned visit to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, describing it as a “distraction” to US efforts in furthering a rapprochement between Israel and Turkey. A visit by Erdogan to Gaza would likely anger both Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders.

The Metro and the online editions of the Guardian and Independent cover the inaugural Bethlehem marathon which took place yesterday, with runners passing Israel’s security barrier along the route. The Financial Times reports that the global security company G4S will terminate some of its Israeli contracts amid opposition to its services provided at several West Bank checkpoints and Israel’s Ofer prison, also situated in the West Bank. The Financial Times also covers a strike by three Israeli airline carriers in response to an ‘Open Skies’ agreement with the European Union agreed yesterday by Israel’s cabinet. The airlines fear being squeezed out of the market by foreign competition.

The online editions of the Times and Telegraph cover the Friends of Syria meeting in Istanbul over the weekend, at which John Kerry announced that the United States will double its non-lethal assistance to Syria’s opposition forces, which may include for the first time armoured vehicles, body armour and night-vision goggles. However, the Guardian online says that Syrian opposition leaders are deeply disappointed that the United States refused to sanction the supply of arms or the introduction of a no-fly zone. According to the Telegraph online though, Germany’s Foreign Minister has indicated that he is increasingly open to lifting the European Union arms embargo on Syria, as suggested by the UK and France. In Syria itself, the Guardian online says that 85 people were killed yesterday when pro-Assad forces stormed a Damascus suburb, while the Times online reports that Syria’s civil war is increasingly in danger of spilling over into neighbouring Lebanon.

The Israeli media this morning focuses on the strike by employees of Israel’s three air carriers, in protest at the government’s decision yesterday to adopt an ‘Open Skies’ agreement with the European Union. The deal will likely lower travel costs for passengers, but the three airlines fear being squeezed out of the market at the expense of foreign competition. It is the headline story in Haaretz, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom, while Maariv declares “Skies are closed.” Yediot Ahronot highlights the possibility that the strike could intensify tomorrow, with the general workers’ union announcing that it may join the walkout and close Ben Gurion International Airport entirely for several hours tomorrow.

Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom prominently report on Chuck Hagel’s visit to Israel. Makor Rishon emphasises Hagel’s comments which implied that Israel would not need US approval to launch an air strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, while Israel Hayom highlights the new US arms deal with Israel, which Hagel said was a clear message to Iran.

Yediot Ahronot’s lead story, based on a French media report, claims that Jordan’s King Abdullah has agreed to allow Israeli aircraft to use Jordanian airspace if needed in a future strike to prevent Syria’s chemical stockpiles from falling into dangerous hands. The report claims that secret meetings on the subject have recently taken place between King Abdullah and Prime Minister Netanyahu.