The Times reports that Egypt’s military will seek permission from Israel to launch a major offensive against Islamist extremists in the Sinai Peninsula, who have launched a series of attacks against Egyptian security forces since the ousting of Mohammed Morsi last week. The report suggests that Israel is likely to give its approval for such a military presence in Sinai, as required by the terms of the Israel-Egypt peace agreement. The Times also includes a report on the closure by Egyptian authorities of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip, in a bid to prevent Gazans from aiding attacks against Egyptian forces. The closure has left many Palestinians stranded, unable to re-enter the Gaza Strip. The Independent i says that a Palestinian from Gaza appeared in an Israeli court yesterday, suspected of having committed security-related crimes, following his suspected abduction from Cairo.

Meanwhile, the Guardian online reports that Egyptian authorities have ordered the arrest of the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader Mohammed Badie and that the organisation’s political wing is expected to reject an offer to join the interim Egyptian government currently being constructed.

Both the Telegraph and the Times report on an analysis by IHS Jane’s Intelligence Review based on aerial photographs, which suggests that Saudi Arabia has built a hitherto unknown missile base with launch pads aimed at both Israel and Iran. The Times notes that the Israeli embassy in London declined to comment on the story.

The online editions of the Guardian, Times, Telegraph and Independent all cover the latest report of the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, published yesterday, which assesses that there is a serious, potentially catastrophic danger to Middle East and British security of Syrian chemical weapons falling into terrorist hands. The media reports also note comments made to the committee by Foreign Secretary William Hague, who says that the government has told Israel that it is against an attack on Iran’s nuclear installations while the twin policy of sanctions and negotiations with Tehran is in place.

In the Israeli media, Yediot Ahronot, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom lead with the announcement yesterday of a plan to reduce the size of the Israeli armed forces, saving an estimated £1.2billion. The plan, which is also covered prominently in Haaretz, is set to be implemented over the next few years and will streamline Israel’s armed forces including the closure of tank and artillery units and even combat flight squadrons. Greater resources will be put into cyber technology and air offensive capability. Makor Rishon calls the plan a “revolution” while Israel Hayom says that it will result in a “smaller and more sophisticated army.” Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman argues that the cuts stem not only from the current financial squeeze, but also the changing military threats in the region.

Maariv reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to the unconditional release of forty Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture, prior to securing a commitment from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to return to direct peace talks. Although there is no confirmation of such a decision, Maariv reports that there is already opposition to the possible releases.

In a separate item, Maariv also covers comments made by OC Central Command, Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon who yesterday announced data showing that stone-throwing and firebomb attacks in the West Bank have decreased by two thirds over the past two months, thanks to an enhanced IDF presence, a policy of increased arrests and closer cooperation with Palestinian security services.