Reuters reports that Israel has cleared its F-35 stealth fighters to resume full duties, after they underwent precautionary tests following the crash of a different model of the plane in the US.

The Daily Mail reports that Israel’s Government on Sunday approved the construction of 31 settler homes in Hebron, the first plan for the flashpoint West Bank city since 2002, a Cabinet minister said.

Reuters reports that the US is seeking “regime change” in Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday, adding that the current US administration is the most hostile that the Islamic Republic has faced in its four decades. Tensions have increased between Iran and America after US President Donald Trump withdrew from a multi-lateral agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme in May, saying it was flawed because it did not include curbs on Iran’s ballistic missiles programme or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. In Washington, a US State Department spokesman repeated its position that it wants a change in Iran’s behaviour but “the United States is not seeking regime change”. He said Trump has voiced a willingness to enter into talks with Iran and wants a deal that also covers its missile programme, support for terrorism and “malign regional behaviour”. With US curbs on Iran’s oil exports set to come into force next month, some Iranians fear their country is entering an economic slump that may prove worse than the period from 2012 to 2015, when it last faced major sanctions.

The Daily Mail via AFP, the Guardian and Reuters reports that a US student refused entry to Israel will appeal to the High Court. The Guardian reports that the American student who was barred from Israel under a law against pro-Palestinian boycotters filed an appeal on Sunday to the Court, which suspended her deportation pending a discussion of the case.

The Daily Mail and Business Insider via AP report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday threatened “very painful blows” against Hamas if they don’t halt protests along the perimeter fence that have led to clashes with Israeli troops. Netanyahu said Israel is very close to waging a “different kind of activity” against the Islamic militants. He said that “if it has any sense, Hamas will cease its fire and violent outbursts — now”. Hamas has orchestrated near-weekly protests along the Israel-Gaza boundary since March, pressing for an end to a decade-long Israel-Egyptian blockade of the isolated territory. The protests have intensified in recent weeks as attempts to reach a truce with Israel, including an easing of the blockade, have faltered. The Israeli military said 14,000 Palestinians gathered along the border fence areas on Friday, burning tyres and throwing rocks, firebombs and grenades at soldiers stationed atop earth mounds on the other side of the barrier. Some 20 Palestinians breached the border during Friday’s protest. Seven Palestinians were killed, including three who the military said were shot while approaching a military position in Israeli territory.

The BBC and the Independent report that Britain, France and Germany have criticised Saudi Arabia. The BBC reports that the UK, Germany and France have demanded a credible investigation into the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Their foreign ministers said that if anyone were found responsible they should be held accountable, and urged a detailed response from Riyadh. UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said what happens now is “absolutely up to Saudi Arabia”. The Independent reports that Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement telling Saudi Arabia they were treating the case of the missing journalist Khashoggi with “the utmost seriousness”.

The Telegraph, Reuters, the Daily Mail via AFP reports that, Saudi Arabia says it will retaliate against any sanctions over Khashoggi case. The Telegraph reports that Saudi Arabia yesterday hinted at economic retaliation over mounting international criticism of the disappearance of Khashoggi as its stock exchange suffered its worst losses in years. Shares plunged as much as 7 per cent as US President Donald Trump promised “severe punishment,” and the foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany issued a joint statement calling for a “credible investigation” into Khashoggi’s fate. Reuters  reports that Saudi Arabia on Sunday warned against threats to punish it over last week’s disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as European leaders piled on pressure and two more US executives scrapped plans to attend a Saudi investor conference. The Daily Mail reports that Riyadh ‘affirms its total rejection of any threats or attempts to undermine it whether through threats to impose economic sanctions or the use of political pressure,’ an official source said, quoted by state news agency SPA.

Reuters and the BBC report that both JP Morgan and Ford have cancelled their plans to visit Saudi Arabia. Reuters reports that JP Morgan & Chase Co (JPM.N) Chief Executive Jamie Dimon and Ford Motor Co (F.N) Chairman Bill Ford cancelled plans to attend a Saudi investor conference, the companies said on Sunday, the latest such high-profile announcements after the disappearance of Khashoggi. Reuters reports that crude oil futures rose on Monday, leading to fears about supply, although concerns about the long-term outlook for demand dragged on prices.

The Daily Mail via AFP and Reuters report that Jordan is reopening its main borders with Syria after a three year closure. Reuters reports that the border crossing between Jordan and Syria will officially reopen on Monday, though it will not be open to normal traffic immediately.

The Israeli media reports that the security cabinet met yesterday. Haaretz reports that the IDF are preparing to escalate its response against Hamas, but at the same time are looking to avoid a “widespread clash.” Yediot Ahronot quotes Defence Minister Lieberman: “Israel has no right, no option, no luxury of prosecuting wars of choice. We can only prosecute wars of no-choice. In the past months we have made every effort, turned over every stone, and the stage of no-choice is behind us.” The paper quotes another senior Israeli cabinet minister who said: “There is a greater chance of a truce arrangement than of escalation, but a lot depends on Hamas.”

Yediot Ahronot notes that “Israel’s policy is confused, and the main problem is the threatening Israeli statements that never get backed up with action. Yesterday morning Lieberman once again threatened Hamas, but in the evening the members of the security cabinet gave Hamas another chance until this coming Friday. Why is anyone surprised that Hamas and the Israeli public no longer believe them? Anyone who really wanted to strike back at Hamas would have hit available and legitimate Hamas targets last Friday, and wouldn’t have waited to issue a threat on Sunday morning only to capitulate in the evening.” Israel Hayom suggests: “Experience teaches us that that response has to be significantly more powerful than necessary. The statements that were made yesterday by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Lieberman create commitment. If we’re already past the stage of ‘no-choice,’ then Israel apparently is already at the stage of: ‘When you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk.’” Maariv says that “neither side wants war. Hamas has three reasons: one, it recognises Israel’s enormous military superiority. Two, Hamas wants to rehabilitate its military without depleting its resources. The cheapest, most effective way to do that is by means of kite terrorism. The third reason is that it does not want to make the situation of the population even worse. This is the same population that has not been able, to this day, either due to fear or for some other reason, to produce an alternative leadership to Hamas’s. That is why Yahya Sinwar says that he does not want more wars but refrains from promising not to fight again, because he hasn’t conceded his vision of a Muslim Palestine.”

Kan radio news report that the Quneitra crossing on the Israeli Golan into Syria, which is operated by the UN, will be reopened today. It has been closed for the last four years after the rebels seized control of the Syrian side in the course of the Syrian civil war. With the return of Assad’s army to the area, it was decided to reopen the border crossing. At this stage, only UN forces will be allowed to use it, and it will not be open for the passage of goods and people as in the past.

Israel Hayom reports that the cabinet yesterday approved the establishment of the Hizkiyahu neighbourhood in Hebron, this will be the first construction in the Jewish part of the city since 1988. Members of the Jewish community in the city welcomed the cabinet decision and said that the new neighbourhood would house the first kindergarten with permanent structures, and would replace the temporary and ill-suited structures currently used.  Haaretz note the equivalent of £4.6m will be allocated for the project.

Yediot Ahronot reports the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court to freeze the deportation of Lara Alqasem, and ruled that the matter needed to be discussed further. Justice Uzi Fogelman noted in his ruling: “The motion seeking permission to appeal and to provide temporary recourse will be scheduled to be heard by a panel at the earliest time possible next week.” Fogelman added that “a temporary order is hereby issued barring the deportation of the applicant until a different decision” is given. Fogelman instructed the state to submit its response to the petition 24 hours before the hearing.  Lara Alqasem is an American student who was accepted by the Hebrew University, but the state decided not to permit her to enter Israel. The Interior Ministry asserted that she was an activist who supported a boycott of Israel and, as such, refused her entry into Israel.