The online editions of the Guardian, Telegraph, Independent and Financial Times cover the release late last night of 26 long-term Palestinian prisoners as part of a commitment made by Israel’s government to the Palestinian Authority (PA) paving the way to restarting peace talks. All reports note that Israel’s High Court of Justice rejected an appeal against the release by families of the prisoners’ victims. The Independent online reports Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to announce plans to build 1,500 new homes in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Ramat Shlomo situated beyond the pre-1967 borders, in what appears to be an attempt to quell right-wing criticism of the prisoner release.

The Independent i says an Israeli delegation appeared yesterday at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva to participate in a review of human rights in Israel, signalling a re-engagement between Israel and the council following an eighteen month hiatus. Israeli Ambassador Eviatar Manor drew attention to the prisoner release as evidence of Israel’s determination to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

The Times online reports on an article in yesterday’s Haaretz which claimed Prime Minister Netanyahu largely ignored the assessment of Israel’s Military Intelligence head Aviv Kochavi on Iran, ahead of his address to the United Nations General Assembly last month. However, Kochavi’s report did conclude that there has been no change to Iran’s “nuclear vision” since the election of President Rowhani. Meanwhile, the Independent i reports a rare joint statement was issued by Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) saying that the two sides had held “very productive talks” this week on resolving the impasse which has seen IAEA inspectors barred from critical Iranian nuclear sites and information.

The Times says Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of supporting an attack on Friday by a previously unknown armed Sunni group called Jaish al-Adl, which killed 14 Iranian border guards in the south of the country. The group said that the attack was in response to Iran’s support of Syria’s President Assad, who is fighting against Sunni-dominated opposition.

The online editions of the Telegraph and Independent report that Assad has sacked Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil, for “overstepping his brief” after Jamil met with the United States ambassador to Syria. Both reports say Jamil’s removal is a blow to attempts to bring the Assad regime to the negotiating table at the proposed Geneva II peace conference in late November. Meanwhile, the Times reports the World Health Organisation has confirmed ten cases of polio have been discovered in north eastern Syria.

In this morning’s Israeli media, Makor Rishon leads with the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners and the High Court’s rejection of a late appeal against the move by the families of the prisoners’ victims. Yediot Ahronot also highlights the opposition of victims’ families, saying that they protested against the release “until the last moment.” Israel Hayom also emphasises the prisoner release alongside the expected announcement of new tenders for construction in Ramat Shlomo.

Another prominent item this morning, especially in Yediot Ahronot and Maariv is the cabinet debate expected today over the defence budget, which is earmarked for cuts. IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz will reportedly vehemently oppose the planned budget slash and argue that cutting the number of full-time soldiers will inevitably hurt Israel’s security.

Maariv also claims Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Jewish Home head Naftali Bennett met late Monday night in order to resume close coordination, especially over legislative attempts to reform the military draft and enlist greater numbers of ultra-Orthodox students.