Both the Times and Independent i note that four Israeli soldiers were wounded early Wednesday morning by an explosion near the border with Lebanon. The circumstances surrounding the incident and whether it took place on Lebanese territory or not remain unclear. Israeli officials would only comment that the explosion happened within the context of operational activity. Meanwhile, the Financial Times includes a feature on troops from European Union (EU) countries serving in the United Nations’ peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon and analyses whether their role has been impacted by the EU’s recent blacklisting of Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.

The online edition of the Telegraph covers a report by Jane’s Military and Security Assessments suggesting that a site which Iran claims is being used for a domestic satellite programme is more likely a launch site to test ballistic missiles. The Guardian online says that Prime Minister David Cameron has sent a letter to new Iranian President Hassan Rowhani to express his hope that relations can be mended between the two countries. Writing in the Telegraph, David Blair examines the dichotomy between the belligerent approach of Tehran’s clerical leadership towards the West and the affinity for the West which pervades the Iranian population.

The Times and the online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph report that Egypt’s military rulers announced yesterday that mediation attempts to resolve the stand-off with supporters of Mohammed Morsi have failed, despite the efforts of American and European Union representatives. The Muslim Brotherhood refused to accept the blame for the breakdown in talks. All reports speculate that a further confrontation between the military and Morsi supporters is in the offing during the coming few days.

The online editions of the Telegraph and Independent say that as many as sixty two opposition fighters in Syria were killed yesterday by President Assad’s forces in an ambush on a secret smuggling route near Damascus. The Times reports that Saudi Arabia has offered Russia a £10billion package of economic incentives and arms sales if Moscow distances itself from the Assad regime.

In the Israeli media, Israel Hayom focuses on the explosion which wounded four Israeli soldiers early Wednesday morning near the Lebanese border. The Israel Hayom headline speculates that “Soldiers survive Hezbollah bomb.” The story is also covered prominently in Maariv and Makor Rishon.

Meanwhile, the failure to appoint a new Governor of the Bank of Israel continues to reverberate. Yediot Ahronot and Haaretz both lead with the revelation by Hong Kong authorities that Jacob Frenkel, who withdrew his candidacy for the position, was arrested and charged over suspected shoplifting in 2006. Frenkel merely described the incident as a misunderstanding when it came to light following his nomination to head the bank. The subsequent media coverage prompted him to remove his nomination. Writing in Maariv, Ben-Dror Yemini says that the incident has been blown out of proportion.

The other major story in today’s newspapers is the conviction yesterday in a Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court of prominent national-religious figure Rabbi Mordechai Elon on two charges of indecent assault by force against a minor. Rabbi Elon is thought likely to appeal the decision. It is the headline story in Makor Rishon and a major item in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Haaretz.