BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, BBC News Online, the Guardian, and the Independent all report on the meeting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. The meeting was unannounced and was unusual, as Assad rarely leaves Syria. During the meeting Putin called for a political settlement in Syria to end the conflict. The meeting comes two days before Putin is due to meet his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Sochi to discuss a Syrian ceasefire agreement and a new constitutional plan. Putin said that he would also call US President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar.

The Independent, Times, Telegraph and the Mail Online all report on comments by Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz on Sunday where he indicated that Israel had covert contacts with Saudi Arabia and common concerns over Iranian influence in the region.

The Independent and the Mail Online report that Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has refused a pardon to Elor Azaria, a former IDF soldier who was convicted of the manslaughter of a Palestinian assailant.

The Guardian’s “Long read” feature today is a report by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad on the situation in Mosul after Iraqi forces recaptured the city in July. Abdul-Ahad alleges that after the city’s “liberation” an “orgy of killing” was perpetrated by Iraqi government forces who killed and tortured prisoners and raped female detainees.

The Independent reports that Nick Cave has said that he is taking a “principled stand” against activists working to ostracise Israel and directly credited the boycott movement with his decision to act against those trying to “bully” and “silence” musicians.

The Times reports that Israel has excavated a new necropolis in Jerusalem as space in the Har HaMenuchot (mountain of rest) Orthodox cemetery has almost run out. Under Orthodox tradition cremation of human remains is forbidden and all graves must be located outside the city but cannot be built over.

The Times reports that Syrian government troops and Iran-backed Shi’a militias have taken the last significant Syrian town held by ISIS, Al Buqamal. The paper concludes that Iran has completed what it claims will be an “arc of influence” from its borders to the Mediterranean.

The FT features a special report on the Lebanese banking sector, the challenges facing it and the role it may play in Syrian reconstruction.

Maariv leads with a campaign, “no more incitement,” after a  photoshopped image of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in an Arab headdress was circulated, following the President’s decision not to pardon Elor Azaria. The image is juxtaposed with 20 MKs from across the political spectrum holding signs against incitement.  Maariv also reports Netanyahu’s comments criticising incitement against the president: “In a democracy, anyone can be criticised. Who knows that better than me? And not all criticism is incitement… My only request is that the criticism be relevant and respectful… without nooses and without Nazi uniforms.”  He went on to say that “criticism that is relevant is not only permissible, it is essential. It is the heart and soul of democracy”.

Haaretz report this morning that Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi yesterday. According to the Kremlin, Putin wanted to meet him in advance of his meeting with the leaders of Turkey and Iran later this week to discuss the future of Syria.  Maariv says that Putin told al-Assad: “Syria is close to victory in the battle against terror”.

Yediot Ahronot highlights a dispute between the Ministries of Defence and Finance over the budget.The military are looking to renegotiate the 5-year plan and are requesting an additional NIS 4.8 billion. They point to major changes in the region, including Iranian entrenchment in Syria and Palestinian reconciliation.

Maariv quotes the Chief of Staff of the Lebanese army, who told his troops to be “fully prepared for the threats from the Israeli enemy”.

Yediot Ahronot leads on the worrying state of hospital accident and emergency rooms across the country as winter approaches.

Maariv notes that Netanyahu will, for the first time, give a statement to the police in case 3,000 – the submarines and naval vessels affair. The paper is careful to clarify that at this stage, it refers to a statement and not to an investigation of the Prime Minister himself.

Yediot Ahronot continues to follow the case of the spokesperson for the NGO Breaking the Silence, who they say is “fighting for its credibility”.  A ruling last week denied his claims that he abused a handcuffed Palestinian he arrested in Hebron during his army service. Last night the organisation released a video clip that connects him to the arrest. Israel Hayom highlights that the father of the spokesperson of Breaking the Silence is Israel’s Ambassador to Germany.