The Telegraph, Financial Times and the online edition of the Independent all report that Katyusha rockets were fired early yesterday morning from southern Lebanon, landing near the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. No organisation took responsibility for firing the rockets which landed in open areas and caused no injuries or damage. Israel’s army responded with artillery aimed at the source of fire. All reports note that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the IDF for responding “quickly and forcefully” to the attack.

The Financial Times online reports that Israel’s government has published the names of twenty six long-term Palestinian prisoners set to be released late tonight as part of an overall prisoner release which paved the way for the resumption of peace talks in July. The article notes that the Israeli government is expected to announce new West Bank construction plans within the coming two weeks in an apparent attempt to placate right-wing criticism of the prisoner release.

The Guardian, Times, Independent i and the online editions of the Financial Times and Telegraph all cover an announcement by Lebanon’s Prime Minister that Saudi Arabia has offered Lebanon a military aid package worth £1.8billion in order to purchase French-made weaponry. All articles note that such a deal will likely heighten sectarian tensions in Lebanon with Sunni Saudi Arabia being seen to oppose Iranian-backed Shia group Hezbollah. A senior Sunni politician was murdered in Beirut on Friday.

The online editions of the Times and Telegraph report that Danish and Norwegian ships are readying to receive a stockpile of Syrian chemical weapons to transport them to an Italian port and their eventual dismantlement. However, the Telegraph online says that the removal of the mustard and Sarin gas in question is behind schedule according to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is charged with their destruction. Meanwhile, the Guardian online covers a report by the Syrian Sana news agency that Syria’s President Assad has told Pope Francis that he is willing to participate in Geneva II peace talks next month if countries halt their support for opposition groups seeking his downfall.

In Egypt, the online editions of the Guardian, Times and Financial Times cover clashes yesterday at the al-Azhar University in Cairo between security forces and Islamist protestors, resulting in the death of one demonstrator and the arrest of at least sixty. The Financial Times online also reports that there was an explosion yesterday at military intelligence headquarters in the Nile Delta.

In the Israeli media, the release of twenty six Palestinian prisoners later tonight and confirmation of their identities by Israel’s government is a major item, with many dailies profiling those set to be released and highlighting the reactions of families of their victims. It is the top story in Maariv, which notes that for the first time, the released prisoners will include East Jerusalemites. Yediot Ahronot’s headline explicitly states “Twenty six murderers to be released tonight.”

Another major story is the approval yesterday by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation of a bill sponsored by Likud MK Miri Regev to approve the annexation of the Jordan Valley. Although Regev’s bill was supported by Likud-Beitenu and Jewish Home ministers, it was opposed by Yesh Atid and Hatnuah ministers. It is unclear when further discussion of the bill will take place. Yesterday’s vote is the top story in Israel Hayom, Haaretz and Makor Rishon, while Yediot Ahronot says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the proposed legislation, which will likely embarrass him in front of the United States. In Maariv, Shalom Yerushalmi calls Regev’s bill a “needless provocation.”

Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Nahum Barnea says that it is “time to decide” for Netanyahu regarding the peace process. Barnea argues that although Netanyahu’s government and even the Likud Party could split if he concludes a peace deal, “the majority in the Knesset, and perhaps also the majority of the public, will support the move, and of course, the world.”