The Independent and online edition of the Telegraph cover an incident in the West Bank village of Kusra yesterday, in which Palestinian villagers apprehended 14 settler youths who they believed were attempting to carry out a ‘Price Tag’ attack on Palestinian property, before handing them over to the IDF. However, both reports note that some of the settlers received light to moderate injuries during their detention in Kusra.

The Independent also reports on US Secretary of State John Kerry’s latest efforts to forge an agreed framework for final status talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). The report notes Kerry’s careful insistence that such a framework would not be an interim agreement, which Palestinian leaders believe would indicate acceptance of a solution without a Palestinian state. An editorial in the Independent applauds Kerry’s determined efforts to broker a peace deal but argues that his energy could be better spent on more pressing matters in the region, such as Syria.

The Telegraph online reports that African migrants in Israel, who have demonstrated in large numbers this week for better treatment and for their asylum applications to be processed, plan to march today on the Knesset in Jerusalem. The Independent i says that the strike which African migrants have also launched this week is continuing, with a degree of support from their Israeli bosses.

Writing in the Times, Roger Boyes says that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces tough decisions and international pressure over a deal with the Palestinians, as did his predecessor Ariel Sharon. However, Israel finds itself in a weaker position in comparison to Sharon’s premiership due to American regional policy, which has seen Washington seek artificial common ground with elements in Syria and Iran which remain committed to Israel’s destruction.

The online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph report that Syria’s regime has delivered its first chemical stockpile for removal and eventual destruction to a Danish ship at the port of Latakia. The chemical cargo, which was delivered a week behind schedule, will be taken to Italy and will eventually be destroyed at sea by a US naval vessel. The Times online says that the leader of the Islamist opposition group Nusra Front, has called for a ceasefire among opposition forces, following recent clashes between rival groups.

The Financial Times and online edition of the Guardian report that a four-man UK parliamentary delegation led by former-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw met a group of Iranian MPs in Tehran yesterday, in a further sign of thawing UK-Iran relations.

In the Israeli media, yesterday’s incident in Kusra, which saw settlers suspected of attempting to carry out a ‘Price Tag’ attack surrounded and apprehended by local Palestinians, is widely covered. Makor Rishon emphasises that the settlers were eventually extricated by the IDF while Maariv highlights the role played by local Palestinian elders in ensuring that the settlers were not more seriously hurt. The incident is also a major story in Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom, while Israel Radio news reports this morning that the IDF has deployed large numbers of troops in the West Bank to prevent potential revenge attacks by settlers.

Maariv highlights comments made yesterday by Yisrael Beitenu’s Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir who has been handed responsibility for handling the Bedouin land issue for the government after the Prawer-Begin plan was put on hold. Shamir said yesterday that the Bedouin must not be treated as enemies, but must instead be given hope.

Israel Hayom reports that Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Israel is not discussing a formal framework agreement with the PA as part of John Kerry’s latest diplomatic push, but is instead hoping to broker an extension to the peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel Radio news says Justice Minister and lead negotiator Tzipi Livni has criticised Jewish Home for its stance on peace terms, which she said is not in the best interests of the public.