RAMALLAH, Thursday, June 04, 2020 (WAFA) – The escalation of demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures, particularly in the Jordan Valley, and the extension of the state of emergency in the West Bank over coronavirus dominated the front page headlines in today’s Palestinian Arabic dailies.
Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida reported that Israeli occupation authorities demolished Palestinian residential structures and tents in Masafer Yatta in the southern Hebron hills and in Deir Hijle community, east of Jericho.
Al-Ayyam said that the Israeli occupation authorities started the implementation of its illegal plan to annex the Jordan Valley through escalating demolitions and tightening restrictions on Palestinian movement.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam printed photos showing Palestinians checking the debris of their demolished structures.
Furthermore, the dailies reported that President Mahmoud Abbas extended the state of emergency in the West Bank for 30 days over coronavirus.
The Palestinian government’s decision to reject the handover of the tax revenues collected on their behalf by Israel dominated the front page headlines in the dailies.
Al-Quds quoted government spokesman Ibrahim Milhem announcing that the government rejects Israel’s extortion after linking the handover of the Palestinian tax revenues with the resumption of coordination.
Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida reported Fatah Central Committee member Hussein al-Sheikh stating in this regard that the Palestinian leadership refused to receive the tax revenues for May from Israel in compliance with the leadership decision to cease all forms of coordination with Israel.
Also with regard to the annexation move, al-Quds reported Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din warning that the impending move would end the two-state solution and exacerbate violations of Palestinian rights.
According to al-Quds, Israeli forces opened fire towards Palestinians during confrontations in al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, causing a number to suffocate.
It highlighted Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh’s remarks during the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee’s (AHLC) meeting, which was held via the video conference.
Shtayyeh was reported condemning Israel’s annexation move as an “existential threat” to the Palestinian people, a violation of international law and destruction to the viability of the two-state solution.
The dailies said that five new novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in the besieged Gaza Strip and another in the northern West Bank district of Jenin.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam added in this regard that a Palestinian died due to the coronavirus pandemic in Saudi Arabia.
The dailies said that Israeli police prevented a press conference and clamped down on a protest in solidarity with the former mufti of Jerusalem and current head of the Higher Islamic Council Ikrima Sabri at his house in Jerusalem.
Al-Quds spotlighted ongoing Israeli settlers’ intrusions into Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
According to al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida, the Palestinian Telecommunications and IT Ministry is considering the establishment of a fiber-optic high-speed Internet.
Al-Ayyam covered Haaretz report Israeli Soldiers Committed Hate Crime Against Palestinians to Avenge Friends‘ Death. Their Commanders Covered It Up.
Al-Ayyam said that Italy rejected Israel’s impending annexation move, and al-Hayat al-Jadida added that it expressed its worries about it.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported Italy expressing its conviction that “the only solution that can ensure peace and development in the Middle East is that of two states.”
Both dailies reported Egypt cautioning against any unilateral actions that would undermine the prospects for a peaceful settlement to the Palestinian question.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said that Israeli forces rounded up 12 Palestinians in multiple raids across the West Bank.
K.F./M.K.
