There is widespread coverage this morning of the announcement yesterday by Israel’s Housing Minister and Jewish Home MK Uri Ariel of tenders issued for the construction of almost 1,200 new homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. It is thought that the announcement was made with the full knowledge of the United States three days ahead of the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). The story is covered by the Guardian, Independent, Times, Independent i, Metro, Daily Mail and the Financial Times, which notes that the new proposed construction is set to take place in major settlement blocs which are likely to be included in Israeli territory in any future peace deal. Although it is mentioned in all reports, the Telegraph highlights the approval last night by an Israeli ministerial committee of the first group of twenty six Palestinian prisoners to be released, which was agreed by Israel’s cabinet as a gesture to pave the way for talks to resume. The article highlights opposition to the move by Israeli families of those killed in terrorist attacks perpetrated by those set for release.

The Independent, its’ sister publication Independent i and the online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph report Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent a successful hernia operation yesterday after he complained of abdominal pains. Netanyahu was discharged from hospital the same day and is expected to work from home for several days. During his incapacitation, Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon assumed temporary prime ministerial powers.

The online editions of the Financial Times and the Guardian both report that Egypt’s military could today begin to break-up the protest camps set up by supporters of ousted premier Mohammed Morsi, which could well lead to violent clashes. The Guardian online also notes that Egypt’s military killed at least twelve armed Islamist leaders in an air strike in the Sinai Peninsula yesterday.

The Telegraph online says that Syrian opposition forces have been accused of especially targeting Alawite communities near the port cities of Latakia and Tartus in an attempt to strike an emotional blow to the Assad regime. The Assad family hails from the Alawite community and these areas are considered to be the heartland of President Assad’s support. The Independent online publishes an inventory of the £8million worth of equipment which the UK has provided to the moderate opposition Free Syrian Army. The article describes the equipment as being “of use to the opposition, but they will have little impact on the fighting.”

Meanwhile, the Times reports that the US State Department has warned Zimbabwe of severe penalties if it does sell uranium to Iran, after such a deal was reported over the weekend.

In this morning’s Israeli media, Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom lead with the approval of the first group of twenty six Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel ahead of peace talks this week. Yediot Ahronot calls it the “black list” of prisoners while Israel Hayom refers to their release as a “painful gesture.” After the publication of the list of prisoners late last night, Israel Radio news reports this morning that two of the twenty six were set for release this year and six were slated to end their prison terms within three years. The rest were set for life in prison.

Meanwhile, Haaretz and Maariv highlight yesterday’s announcement of construction plans for almost 1,200 new homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The reports indicate that the announcement was made with the knowledge of the United States. Writing in Maariv, Nadav Eyal says that the public opposition to the announcement by Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Labour Party head Shelly Yachimovich constitutes a “revival of the left-wing’s foreign policy agenda.”