The Independent and the online edition of the Times both report that the White House is for the first time making plans to send weapons directly to opposition groups in Syria. Until now, United States support for the opposition seeking to overthrow Syrian President Assad has been limited to non-lethal weaponry such as night vision equipment, in addition to humanitarian aid. However, a US National Security Council spokesman is quoted in both publications saying that assistance to the opposition is “on an upward trajectory,” interpreted as an indication that US weaponry will soon be provided.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times covers comments made on Tuesday by Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who gave the clearest indication yet that his organisation is fighting alongside President Assad’s forces in Syria. Writing in the Guardian, Ian Black argues that Nasrallah’s remarks are a further indication that Assad still has allies which make his swift downfall look increasingly unlikely. The Telegraph online includes a feature on the increasing numbers of Syrian Shias fleeing the country for neighbouring Lebanon in fear of violence at the hands of Sunni militias. The online edition of the Guardian reports that Iran’s Foreign Minister has described the use of chemical weapons in Syria as a ‘red line’. Parodying the words of US President Obama, Ali Akhbar Salehi claimed that chemical weapons could be deployed not by President Assad, but instead by opposition forces. Iran is considered a staunch supporter of the Assad regime.

There are several stories making the headlines in the Israeli media this morning. Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz and Makor Rishon cover a surprising announcement by Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who yesterday proposed to increase the national deficit to 4.9 per cent in 2013, softening the range of austerity measures which were expected. Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer has consistently argued that the deficit should not exceed 3 per cent. Yediot Ahronot speculates that Lapid’s proposal will likely postpone deep cuts and increased taxes until 2014. Israel Hayom, Maariv and Yediot Ahronot give prominence to the news that American investor Warren Buffett is set to complete a purchase of Israeli company Iscar.

Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon also cover legislation proposed by Yisrael Beitenu which would reform the country’s electoral system and some aspects of government. The bill, which is being opposed by much of the opposition would raise the electoral threshold from two to four per cent, cap the number of ministers and make it harder to introduce a vote of no confidence in the government.

Maariv highlights the continuation in the trial of former-Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is charged with fraud and breach of trust. Lieberman’s former deputy Danny Ayalon will take the witness stand today in what is expected to be a dramatic day in court. Ayalon was surprisingly omitted by Lieberman from Yisrael Beitenu’s list of parliamentary candidates prior to January’s election.

Maariv also reports that Yesh Atid MK Yaakov Peri, who is heading a committee on reforming the military draft, invited leaders of ultra-Orthodox religious seminaries to speak to the committee and to talk to him personally about the issue. However, the religious leaders apparently rejected the invitation on the basis that they will not cooperate with any initiative designed to change the status quo on enlistment.