A report in the Independent i says that Palestinian Authority (PA) officials claim the ideas being touted by the United States to narrow gaps between Israel and the PA do not provide a serious basis for peace talks to succeed.

Meanwhile, the Telegraph claims that Israel-based arms dealers attempted to sell spare parts for military equipment including aircraft to Iran, via delivery from Greece, in breach of international sanctions. There has been no official Israeli response to the claims.

The Financial Times online covers comments made by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who called for “economic jihad” to overcome international sanctions. The article suggests this comment is an indication that Khamenei does not foresee a swift end to sanctions, despite the current nuclear talks between the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iranian officials.

The Guardian, Independent, Metro, Independent i and online edition of the Telegraph all cover a twin car bombing which took place in a Hezbollah-stronghold in southern Beirut, targeting an Iranian cultural centre. At least six died in the bombing, the Sunni Islamist group who carried it out said was in response to Iranian and Hezbollah interference in Syria and their support for the Assad regime.

The Independent includes a lengthy feature on the Sunni-Shia conflict which is becoming ever more prominent and violent across the region. The article says that the division “seems increasingly to be shaping the destiny of the troubled Middle East.”

The Daily Mirror says that the Islamist terror group, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which this week blew up a tourist bus in Sinai as passengers were preparing to cross the border into Israel, has warned all tourists to leave Egypt within two days.

In Syria, the Guardian online includes footage from a concealed camera documenting life according to strict Sharia law which has been imposed by the ISIS Islamist opposition group in the town of Raqqa. ISIS is apparently carrying out public executions, floggings and has banned music and smoking.

In the Israeli media, Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom all heavily feature a significant advancement in attempts to pass a bill mandating ultra-Orthodox military enlistment. A Knesset committee last night approved a contentious clause placing criminal sanctions on ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers. Maariv hails it as the “end of blanket exemption” for the ultra-Orthodox. However, Israel Radio news says that the clause is opposed by Jewish Home MKs who would prefer to impose financial penalties. Plans are being made for mass ultra-Orthodox protests next week.

Maariv and Makor Rishon report that US Secretary of State John Kerry hinted in an interview with Channel Two to be broadcast in full tonight, that West Bank settlers might not be required to leave their homes under a peace deal. Maariv also says that Israel’s lead negotiators, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Isaac Molcho met with US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro.

Israel Radio news reports that doctors at the financially stricken Hadassah Hospitals in Jerusalem have returned to work this morning after agreement was reached with management over negotiations for a recovery plan.