RAMALLAH, Friday, March 15, 2019 (WAFA) – Mounting tensions in the besieged Gaza Strip following Israeli intensive airstrikes on several locations in retaliation for launching rockets into southern Israel hit the front page headlines in Friday’s issue of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies.
Al-Quds reported that two rockets were launched from Gaza towards Tel Aviv, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene the security cabinet.
Al-Ayyam reported printed in bold red that Gaza is awaiting an Israeli onslaught following the launching of two rockets from the besieged coastal enclave towards Tel Aviv.
Al-Ayyam and al-Quds added in this regard that Palestinian factions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad denied being involved in the incident.
It also reported the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza slamming those who launched the rockets towards Tel Aviv as “outside the national consensus.”
On the other hand, al-Hayat al-Jadida opted to highlight Hamas’ police crackdown on protests against the deteriorating economic conditions in the besieged coastal enclave, a theme that was also covered in the other two dailies.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said that “Hamas militia” forcibly dispersed protests over dire living conditions and the intra-Palestinian division.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Ayyam added that Hamas-led security forces attacked protestors against high living cost and taxes, injuring dozens and arresting dozens others.
Additionally, al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida reported that prime minister-designate Mohammad Shtayyeh announcing his resignation from all official and honorary positions
They also reported him stating that the new Palestinian government will serve as the government of all Palestinians and that consultations are underway on its formation.
Besides, al-Quds reported the Higher National Committee for the Great March of Returns in Gaza proclaiming a general strike on March 30, which coincides with the 42nd anniversary of the Land Day and the first anniversary of launching the borderline Great March of Return protests.
Growing tensions over the Bab al-Rahma prayer area on the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as Israel’s deadline for Palestinians to close the building is now over also dominated the front page headlines in the dailies.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported Israel’s “Public Security” Minister Gilad Erdan threatening that Israel will not allow Palestinians to continue to open Bab al-Rahma area.
Al-Quds also reported the Foreign Ministry warning against Israeli efforts to infringe upon Palestinian Muslim religious endowments (awqaf).
Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida also reported in this regard that dozens of Israeli settlers forced their way into the mosque compound.
Yet, al-Quds reported Secretary-General of the PLO’s Executive Committee Saeb Erekat accusing the US administration of instigating a religious war.
It added that the White House senior advisors Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt are meeting with a number of influential people and groups in anticipation of rolling out the so-called deal of the century.
Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said that Palestinian police dealt with disturbances and rioting in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem after a resident killed his wife.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida noted that during the rioting, Deputy Chief of Police in Bethlehem District Jamal Odeh died of a heart attack.
Al-Ayyam reported Commissioner-General of the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) Pierre Krähenbühl stating that the agency needed $1.2 billion in funding for 2019 as it faced its first full year without US support.
According to al-Ayyam, Israeli military conducted drills on Palestinian lands belonging to Barta‘a village, southwest of Jenin.
It added that Israeli forces rounded up 24 Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza, while settlers assaulted Palestinians in the northern Jordan Valley and Kifl Hares village, west of Salfit.
Finally, al-Hayat al-Jadida said that top officers of Brazil’s military oppose Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s move to relocate his country’s embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
K.F.
