The Independent and Independent i both cover a report published yesterday by Amnesty International, which claims that some Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip during Operation Protective Edge could be considered “war crimes.” However the report, which examines eight cases, was not based on any consultation with the IDF over military objectives to the incidents in question.

The Financial Times says that Jordan is concerned over increasing calls by some Israelis, including voices in government, for greater Jewish prayer rights at the Temple Mount. Jews are currently permitted to visit in small groups, but not pray at the holy site. Jordan retains a historic role in administering Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, the Guardian online reports that Israel’s cabinet approved a change in the penal code to allow for stiffer sentences for those found guilty of throwing stones. The decision follows continued violence in Jerusalem, where confrontations between stone-throwing local Palestinian youths and Israeli police has become an almost daily feature in recent weeks. The Financial Times includes an interview with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, who defends the recent crackdown on violence and also says that most Palestinians would prefer to live in Israel than a Palestinian state. Also in Jerusalem, Independent i reports that two Arab homes in the Abu Tor neighbourhood have been demolished by Israeli authorities, as they lacked the requisite building permits.

The Independent, Independent i and the online edition of the Guardian all report on the abandonment on Monday evening of the football derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, after it descended into chaos. A Hapoel fan attacked a Maccabi player, who was subsequently sent off for retaliating, sparking a wider pitch invasion.

The Guardian reports that Egypt has destroyed hundreds of homes in northern Sinai bordering the Gaza Strip to make way for a buffer zone to prevent arms and fighters being smuggled in from Gaza. Egyptian authorities say that Hamas is supporting Sinai terror attacks against Egyptian forces. The article suggests that the home destructions could fuel support for the attacks by Islamists.

The Times and the online edition of the Independent both report that an informal military alliance is in the works between Shi’ite Arab states, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and United Arab Emirates, to coordinate action against Islamists in the region. The Times suggests that Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain could also join the pact, which it says is in part a response to perceived American retreat in the region.

In the Israeli media, the top story is the fallout from Monday evening’s abandoned football derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv, which descended into chaos. The supporters of the rival teams yesterday clashed again outside a Tel Aviv courthouse, prompting the front page headline in Yediot Ahronot, “No limits” and ominously in Maariv, “It will end in murder.” Meanwhile, Israel Hayom suggests tackling the football violence “with a firm hand.”

Yediot Ahronot reports that cabinet disagreement is expected on Sunday, when a bill will be discussed which would not only define Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, but make Israeli democracy secondary to Israel’s Jewish identity. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni is apparently prepared to do everything possible to prevent the bill from receiving approval. In a separate political development, Maariv reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for a Likud Party leadership primary on 25 December, a move opposed by the party’s Central Committee Chairman MK Danny Danon.

Israel Radio news reports that a series of events will take place today to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. A special Knesset session to mark the anniversary will take place this afternoon.