The Times and Independent i report this morning that Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has accepted the resignation of PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who announced his intention to quit the role several days ago following just two weeks in office. Apparently, Hamdallah disagreed with Abbas over the extent of his powers, with the two deputy prime ministers, both Abbas appointees, having been granted significant governing powers. Abbas has asked Hamdallah to remain in office until a replacement is found. Meanwhile, the Independent, Telegraph, Times, Independent i and online edition of the Guardian focus on the celebrations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank after the Palestinian singer, Mohammed Assaf was announced as the winner of the Arab Idol TV talent contest. Assaf dedicated his win to the Palestinian people.

The Independent and its’ sister publication Independent i cover the start of a five-day Middle East tour by the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and report that his stance over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be under scrutiny. Both articles note that the Archbishop recently expressed opposition to a General Synod motion backing the activities of the EAPPI programme, which is viewed by many as anti-Israel.

The Times says that the Friends of Syria group have delayed arming Syrian opposition groups due to debate over which weapons to send. The Telegraph online reports that opposition forces have gone on the offensive against Assad’s troops around Aleppo, in an attempt to prevent government forces making ground in the city. Meanwhile, the Times reports that the port in the Lebanese city of Sidon was closed due to fierce fighting between Hezbollah and forces loyal to a local Sunni cleric, in the latest sign of overspill from the conflict in neighbouring Syria.

The online editions of the Guardian, Times and Financial Times all cover warnings given by the Egyptian army that troops are ready to step in if opposition protests planned for 30 June lead to unrest on the streets. The date marks the first anniversary of the election of President Mohammed Morsi and the planned demonstrations will call for him to stand down. Meanwhile, the Independent i says that an Egyptian judge has ruled that the Muslim Brotherhood conspired with Hamas and Hezbollah to free Morsi and others from prison during the uprising which led to the downfall of Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

City AM reports that Jacob Frenkel will be the new Governor of the Bank of Israel when Stanley Fischer steps down at the end of June. Frenkel will be returning to the role he filled from 1991-2000.

Frenkel’s appointment is the lead story in much of the Israeli media, including Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom. Frenkel brings plenty of stature and experience to the role, but Sever Plocker, writing in Yediot Ahronot says that he “will find an Israeli social reality that is very different from the one he knew over 12 years ago,” with the public now more involved in economic decision-making. Writing in Maariv, former director general of the Finance Ministry Shmuel Slavin warns that “the social gaps began to expand” in Israel during Frenkel’s previous tenure.

Meanwhile, Maariv and Makor Rishon prominently report the resignation of National Security Council Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror. Yediot Ahronot speculates that Amidror endured a strained relationship with senior officials in the Prime Minister’s Office, while Amir Rapaport says in Maariv that there is a general frustration within the National Security Council at the lack of impact from its’ work.