Both the Independent and Financial Times report that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be facing a tough battle to retain power when elections are held on 17 March. With the Knesset set to officially dissolve itself today, both publications highlight moves by the centre-left parties to create a united front which may be able to challenge Netanyahu. In what it describes as a “fight for his political life,” the Independent also speculates that Netanyahu faces an additional test with former-Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar apparently weighing a challenge for the leadership of the Likud Party in an upcoming primary.

The Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Independent i and the online edition of the Financial Times all report that Syria has accused Israel of having carried out air strikes over the weekend against two targets, one near the Damascus International Airport and another at Dimas near the Lebanese border. Israeli army officials declined to comment. However, Israeli leaders have in the past made clear that they will not allow the transfer of “game changing” weapons, especially to Hezbollah in Lebanon. It is thought that Israeli forces have carried out air strikes on several occasions to prevent such a scenario since the Syrian Civil War began.

The Guardian online covers comments made yesterday by Prime Minister Netanyahu via a message to a US policy conference, in which he called for the international community to place increased pressure on Iran to give up its nuclear programme. A six month extension to talks between Tehran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) over Iranian nuclear development was agreed last month.

The Independent reports that six Palestinians have been arrested by Israel and have been charged with illegally digging for antiquities in the historic Dead Sea region. The accused apparently planned to profit in the local market and were apprehended after a year-long operation.

The Guardian includes a feature on the start-up scene in the Gaza Strip, where entrepreneurs are apparently making the most of difficult conditions to develop apps and innovative technologies.

Meanwhile, the Independent and Independent i both report that London will this week host talks for the so-called D5 countries on strengthening the digital economy. Hosted by Cabinet Office Minister Frances Maude, the five nations attending the inaugural summit are the UK, Israel, South Korea, Estonia and New Zealand.

In the Israeli media, the suspected air strikes in Syria, which have been blamed on Israel is the top item in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom. The assumption by most commentators is that Israel was responsible for the strikes, but that their timing was in no way impacted by the upcoming general election. However, writing in Yediot Ahronot, military commentator Alex Fishman notes that the potential response of Syria’s President Assad hands him “the job of deciding what the agenda of the coming elections will be.” Alon Ben-David makes a similar point in Maariv.

The election campaign itself is another major item. Both Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom highlight that the Knesset will today complete the formality of its dissolution, in preparation for a 17 March poll. It was reported over the weekend that Labour Party leader Isaac Herzog and Hatnuah leader Tzipi Livni met and are closing in on an arrangement to run a joint electoral list. However, Israel Radio news reports that Livni will today meet with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid over possible cooperation.

Meanwhile, Maariv says that former-Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar will decide by Thursday whether he will run for the leadership of the Likud Party, challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his position.