The Times, Independent and the online edition of the Telegraph report this morning that a United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council report released yesterday says that war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed in Syria on a daily basis, with violations on both sides of the conflict, in particular a “concerted policy” of massacres by President Assad’s regime. The UN report also says that chemical weapons have likely been used in the conflict. A separate investigation into chemical weapons use in Syria by UK and French authorities is reported by the online editions of the Guardian, Independent, Financial Times, Telegraph and Times. France has concluded that there is “no doubt” chemical agents have been used by the Assad regime, while the UK Ambassador to the UN said that there is “credible evidence” of chemical use by Syrian government forces on a small scale. The online edition of the Guardian covers comments by Russia’s President Putin who said that although a sale of advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Syria has been agreed, the weaponry has not yet been delivered. The Guardian also includes a report on the widening schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims as fighters loyal to both factions converge on Syria to fight on opposite sides.

Meanwhile, the Independent and the Independent i claim that there is opposition within the European Union (EU) to a UK initiative to proscribe Hezbollah as a terrorist entity. Apparently, some EU member states are concerned that such a move would destabilise Lebanon and they remain unconvinced of the veracity of a Bulgarian investigation which found Hezbollah responsible for a bus bombing in the Black Sea resort of Burgas last July which killed five Israeli tourists.

The Guardian online covers comments made yesterday by senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, who claimed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank could collapse if US Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to kick-start Israeli-Palestinian peace talks fail. Erekat squarely blamed Israel for the impasse, saying that they must first agree to carry out measures such as a settlement freeze before talks begin. Israel has consistently declared readiness to enter peace talks without pre-conditions. Meanwhile, the BBC online includes a feature on the challenges facing new PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.

The Times says that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei remains defiant towards the West, warning against “concession to the enemies.” Earlier this week, the United States introduced a new set of sanctions against Iran, targeting the country’s currency.

In the Israeli media this morning, Maariv leads with reports of an appearance by the Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen in front of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee yesterday.  Cohen reportedly told the committee that PA President Mahmoud Abbas is reluctant to enter talks with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he believes that Netanyahu will concede less than predecessors such as Ehud Olmert. As a result, any negotiations with Netanyahu are viewed by Abbas as a de facto concession.

Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot reports on coalition difficulties on its front page. Apparently, Prime Minister Netanyahu was criticised within government ranks for yesterday informing popular former-Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon that he will not be appointed to head the Israel Lands Commission. Netanyahu had announced the appointment on the eve of January’s election in what Yediot Ahronot’s Sima Kadmon calls a “desperate attempt” to win extra votes.

Israel Hayom’s front page is dominated by suggestions from Israeli security officials that Hezbollah is attempting to open up a new military front on Israel’s border with Syria. Meanwhile, Makor Rishon leads with Russian President Putin’s denial that advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles have been delivered to Syria, although he stressed that the deal will be implemented.