This morning’s Guardian includes an article which claims that US military commanders have cautioned Israeli counterparts against a potential strike on Iranian nuclear targets. Apparently, they believe that such Israeli action would seriously endanger the logistical support needed from Gulf Arab states to launch similar US operations.  There is significant coverage of the violence in Syria, as the 19-month-old conflict continues. The Telegraph reports an explosion yesterday near an important Shia mosque in Damascus, while the Independent focuses on Syrian government air strikes on opposition positions around the capital and the north of the country. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports on divisions among Syria’s Palestinian population. Online, both the Times and Financial Times report that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for changes in the official leadership of the Syrian opposition.

The Telegraph publishes an opinion article from senior Palestinian leader Nabeel Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority cabinet member and senior negotiator. His article argues that Britain must begin to rectify historic injustices that it has perpetrated against the Palestinians by supporting the Palestinian attempt to upgrade the status of its United Nations delegation to a ‘non-member state’. The UK government has discouraged such a move, regarding it as a unilateral action which will negatively impact the possibility of future Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Meanwhile, the Times includes a lengthy interview with Israeli novelist Amos Oz, who is well-known for campaigning in favour of a two-state solution. Oz, who will be visiting the UK next week, outlines his views on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and calls for a “divorce” between the two sides. Both the Times and the Financial Times report on a planned takeover by the Canadian company Potash Corporation of Israel Chemicals, which has a reported market value of $15billion.

The Israeli media is dominated this morning by widespread reports that outgoing Likud minister Moshe Kahlon intends on forming his own social-justice party. Kahlon announced two weeks ago that he would be taking a break from politics, but would remain active in Likud. The story is the headline in Yediot Ahronot, Makor Rishon and Haaretz, which claims that Kahlon mistrusts Prime Minister Netanyahu. Israel Radio News this morning reports that Netanyahu has rebuffed calls by Likud figures to offer Kahlon the number two spot on the Knesset list. Yediot Ahronot reports on the launch of Kadima’s campaign today, which is expected to focus on sharp criticism of Netanyahu, while promoting Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz’s security credentials.

Meanwhile, several titles report on yesterday’s meeting in Paris between Prime Minister Netanyahu and French President Francois Hollande. Israel Radio News says that Netanyahu officials reported that there is full agreement between the two leaders on the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme. Makor Rishon includes an article claiming that Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has offered his resignation in order to allow the formation of a new Palestinian government which includes all factions. Fayyad has offered his resignation before, but was subsequently persuaded to stay in his post.