RAMALLAH, Tuesday, April 21, 2020 (WAFA) – The remarks President Mahmoud Abbas made yesterday at the Palestinian cabinet and the steps announced by Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh to relax the 45-day lockdown as the holy fast month of Ramadan approaches were highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies published today.
The main front page headline and story in al-Hayat al-Jadida that went across the page quoted the president saying: “We will do everything except losing our people.”
Al-Ayyam had the same headline but in smaller font and added to it that the president gave instructions to a well thought of process to ease the lockdown.
Al-Quds said President Abbas praised the government efforts to fight coronavirus and instructed it ease the lockdown in a well assessed manner.
The three papers also highlighted the announcement by Shtayyeh on easing the lockdown at different paces in different districts that would allow the opening of some businesses under certain restrictions and understandings as Palestinians and Muslims around the world get ready for the fast month of Ramadan.
They also highlighted the agreement between the two major Israeli parties, the Likud and Blue/White, to form a unity government.
Al-Ayyam said the agreement includes a clause to annex parts of occupied West Bank by July 1. It reported on reactions to this government, particularly from lawmaker Ahmad Tibi who said the Blue/White leader has accepted the Likud conditions without any question.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said seven new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the West Bank yesterday.
It said Israel gave an ultimatum to Palestinian banks in the occupied territories not to deal with the salaries of the prisoners in Israel.
Al-Quds said most of the new corona cases were in East Jerusalem and that a woman from the city has died from the disease.
It also reported on the pandemic in Israel and the world.
The paper also quoted former Hamas leader Khaled Mishaal saying that options for a prisoners’ exchange with Israel are still open.
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