There is widespread coverage of the decision taken yesterday by Israel’s security cabinet to suspend peace talks with the Palestinian Authority (PA), in light of Wednesday’s announcement that Fatah is to form a unity government with Hamas, which remains committed to Israel’s destruction. The Financial Times, Guardian and Times cover the story, as does the Independent, which quotes the US State Department’s spokesperson, who said it is “hard to see” how Israel can negotiate with a group [Hamas] which denies its right to exist. The Telegraph says that this weekend’s meeting of the Fatah Central Committee could bring more clarity on the unity deal, while the Independent i says there is scepticism whether the agreement will ever actually be implemented. Writing in the Telegraph online, Robert Tait opines that because the peace talks between Israel and the PA did not address the future of the Gaza Strip, they were essentially doomed from the start.

The Guardian online includes a brief video report on five Arab Israeli women who are playing football for top Israeli women’s team Hapoel Petach Tikva, outlining the atmosphere of coexistence which exists within the club.

The online editions of the Guardian, Telegraph and Times all report that British officials suspect that although Syria looks set to hand over the remainder of its declared chemical arsenal to an international task force, the Assad regime is holding back some of its chemical weapons. Meanwhile, the Guardian online says that United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for action to bring help to 3.5 million Syrians in desperate need of humanitarian aid.

In Syria itself, the Times says that Assad’s forces have taken control of the last opposition stronghold on the Lebanese border corridor, strengthening its grip on the crucial route between Damascus and the port city of Latakia. The Daily Mirror reports that ten British women are among the UK citizens currently fighting in Syria.

In the Israeli media, the top story is yesterday’s announcement by the security cabinet that peace talks with the PA have been suspended. It is the main headline in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz, Sof Hashavua and Israel Hayom, which suggests that Israel will take punitive measures against the PA in due course. There is also plenty of commentary surrounding the latest developments. Both Shimon Shiffer in Yediot Ahronot and Sof Hashavua’s Ben Caspit argue that when all is said and done, peace talks could well be resumed. Caspit also suggests that PA President Abbas himself may have been surprised at the speed at which the unity deal with Hamas was agreed. Meanwhile, Israel Radio news reports that US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that he remains committed to advancing the peace process.

In other news, Haaretz and Israel Hayom report that the state will push for former-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to be jailed for several months when sentencing takes place next week. Olmert was recently found guilty of bribery during his time as Mayor of Jerusalem.

Israel Radio news reports that a trustee of ailing daily Maariv has said that as of next week, the newspaper will not be printed and that it may close entirely with staff losing their jobs. American tycoon Sheldon Adelson is thought to be a potential buyer for the newspaper.