The possibility of a Western strike against the Assad regime in Syria, in response for its apparent large-scale deployment of chemical weapons last week, continues to take centre stage. The online editions of the Guardian, Times, Telegraph and Independent, in addition to the print editions of the Daily Mirror and Daily Star carry the news late last night that Prime Minister David Cameron has agreed to wait for the completion of a report by the United Nations’ (UN) chemical weapons inspection team in Syria, before holding a decisive Commons vote on military action, effectively delaying such a go ahead from MPs until early next week. The Times reports on preparations for conflict in countries throughout the region, while more specifically the online editions of the Independent and Financial Times cover Israel’s call-up yesterday of a limited number of reservists. The Telegraph analyses the potential Syrian response to an attack while the Daily Mail scrutinises the evidence of Syria’s chemical weapons use. The Guardian focuses on Syria’s warning of “grave consequences” should the West strike.

Among the extensive commentary surrounding Syria, Michael Evans in the Times questions whether Western military action would bring a quick solution to the situation, while in the same publication Roger Boyes makes the case for toppling Assad. In the Independent, Patrick Cockburn analyses the potential impact of a Western military strike on Middle East power politics. In the Guardian, former UN weapons inspector Hans Blix says that the West has no mandate to act as a global policeman, while a Guardian editorial warns that Western military engagement will stoke fires in the region with unknown consequences.

The Telegraph reports that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) yesterday published its’ latest quarterly report on Iran’s nuclear programme, noting that Tehran has installed more than one thousand uranium enrichment centrifuges and is ready to test them.

The Times covers the completion yesterday of a final airlift of remaining Ethiopian Jews to Israel, which Israeli authorities say marks the end of a thirty year effort to bring Ethiopia’s Jewish community to Israel.

The Telegraph says that a number of renowned British authors including Ian McEwan and John le Carre have signed a petition protesting attempts by the Israeli army to evict Palestinian villagers in the West Bank to make way for a shooting range.

Once again, the Israeli media is fully focused on the possible repercussions of a Western strike against the Assad regime. Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon focus on the call-up of a limited number of reservists and the strategic deployment of missile defence systems which took place yesterday. However, Haaretz and Israel Radio both report that Israeli officials assess that the likelihood of a Syrian strike on Israel is low. Meanwhile, the headlines in Maariv and Yediot Ahronot concentrate on the international diplomatic moves ahead of possible military action.

Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman says that Israel is wise to take precautionary measures in case of an attack, arguing that “The Syrians already made a… mistake when they used rockets with chemical weapons in the Damascus suburbs… The person who made such a mistake—is liable to make more mistakes. And that is what the State of Israel is preparing for.” In the same publication, Shimon Shiffer calls for calm, saying that Assad did not respond to previous air strikes ascribed to Israel and so there “is no reason to assume that now—after taking a proportionate blow from the Americans—that he will direct his chemical weapons against Israel.”