Middle East-related coverage in the UK and international media today continues to widely follow the violent repression of unrest in Syria and diplomatic efforts in the UN to reach a unified international stance on the issue. The Times runs a features describing the chaos in the country. Several papers note that Russia remains determined to block a UN Security Council Resolution on Syria, though BBC Online reports that according to British diplomats involved in UN talks, some progress has been made and a vote may be held in the coming days. The Independent reports that Israeli security officials have raised concern about the possible repercussions of a premature Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. The Daily Mirror, meanwhile, reports on the establishment of a new IDF unite specialising in operations behind enemy lines. The Independent also reports that during a visit to the region UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel to take confidence building measures to assist in the renewal of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The Guardian runs a letter from the press attaché of the Israeli embassy in London defending Israel’s treatment of Palestinian minors.

Israeli media this morning widely reports on the firing of eight rockets from Gaza in Israel yesterday. Maariv reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu is planning a series of confidence building measures for the Palestinians to secure the continuation of talks, whilst Haaretz reports that Netanyahu called on the US and the UN to urge the Palestinians to stay in the talks. The accusations of harassment against Netanyahu’s chief of staff Natan Eshel continues to get wide coverage, as does the case of two baby twins who were allegedly abused by their parents. The Israeli press also widely reports on the deaths in Egypt following clashes between police and football fans. Haaretz and Makor Rishon have analysis of the results of Tuesday’s Likud leadership primary. The papers also report on the ongoing wet weather, with Israel experiencing the wettest January in 60 years, after a period of drought. The Jerusalem Post also reports on the conviction of four men in an Islamist plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange.