The Times covers comments made by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that the sophisticated coordinated attacks on Wednesday, by an ISIS-affiliate in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula which borders Israel, shows that ISIS is “at the gates” of the country. Meanwhile, the Independent and Independent i also cover Israel’s response to the attacks, saying that the IDF has taken precautionary measures in case Islamist terror groups in Sinai target Israel.

Meanwhile, the Guardian covers the response of the Egyptian military to Wednesday’s attacks. Egypt’s air force carried out strikes against the terror groups yesterday. The Financial Times online says that Egyptian leaders have accused the foreign media of sapping national morale with their coverage of Wednesday’s attacks, which they say exaggerated the number of those killed.

In Syria, the online editions of the Guardian, Times and Telegraph all report that ISIS has destroyed a number of the invaluable historic statues in the city of Palmyra. The Telegraph online says that a senior and long-time advisor to President Assad and his family has died from cancer, depriving the regime of a trusted ally.

The Guardian online says that the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees is facing a funding crisis. The organisation has in part blamed the strain of Palestinians suffering from Syria’s civil war and Israel’s restrictions on the Gaza Strip for the shortfall.

Ian Black reports for the Guardian from Tehran, where he visited a memorial to scientists who have been killed due to their role in Iran’s nuclear programme. He interviews Iranians about their thoughts on both the memorial and the ongoing talks with the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) to agree an accord regarding the country’s nuclear development.

The Daily Mirror says that a scientist at Israel’s Weizmann Institute has developed a ‘sniff test’ to help determine if toddlers are autistic.

In the Israeli media, the top story in Maariv, which is also covered prominently by Haaretz is comments made by Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, coordinator of government activities in the territories, who told Al Jazeera that Hamas is directly aiding the ISIS affiliate in Sinai which was responsible for mass attacks against Egyptian forces on Wednesday. Mordechai is quoted saying “Hamas’s military wing is connected to ISIS in logistics and ammunition. I am confident of this, and we have proof.” Israel Radio news says that the IDF has temporarily closed Route 12, which runs close to the Israel-Egypt border as a precaution given the proximity of Wednesday’s violence.

Both Maariv and Haaretz highlight the ongoing controversy over the deal agreed between the government and the two principle investors in Israel’s natural gas industry. The agreement has yet to receive final approval and the gas companies involved have said that they will resist any further changes to the suggested deal, despite accusations from opponents that the government is selling Israel’s natural resources to tycoons.

Israel Radio news says that a stabbing was avoided last night in Hebron, when Border Police detained a Palestinian approaching officers who was found to be carrying a knife. In addition, Israel Radio reports that stone-throwing took place last night in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Shuafat and damage was caused to the light railway.