RAMALLAH, Monday, June 15, 2020 (WAFA) – Ongoing Israeli settler attacks across the West Bank besides to efforts to bring back Palestinians stranded in Egypt due to the novel coronavirus pandemic through Jordan hit the front page headlines in the three Palestinian dailies.

Highlighting settlers’ attacks in their main front page articles, al-Quds and al-Ayyam said that Israeli settlers leveled Palestinian land belonging to Jalud village, south of Nablus.

They also reported that an Israeli settler assaulted a Palestinian family driving a vehicle south of Bethlehem.

Al-Quds added that Israeli forces forced Palestinian stores to close down in Huwara town, south of Nablus, while al-Ayyam said that settlers barged their way into Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Al-Ayyam also reported in its main item that Israeli occupation authorities have dug a new tunnel beneath al-Maghariba Gate, one of the gates leading to the mosque compound, and al-Buraq Wall, also known as the Western Wall.

Furthermore, Government spokesman Ibrahim Milhem was reported in al-Quds and al-Ayyam saying that the first batch of Palestinians stranded in Egypt due to COVID-19 will be admitted to Palestine on Sunday June 21.

He was also reported in al-Ayyam announcing that the government would disburse the public servants salaries for May as soon as funds are available.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported that 70 confirmed coronavirus cases were recorded in the Palestinian territories since coronavirus restrictions were eased.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said that three more Palestinians tested positive for the virus in the southern West Bank city of Hebron and town of Halhul.

The Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry was reported in al-Ayyam announcing that three more Palestinians tested positive for the virus and another died due to the virus in the diaspora.

It was also reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida announcing that the total confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths among Palestinians in the diaspora reached 1,976 and 132 respectively.

According to al-Quds, Israel is advancing the construction of a new colonial settlement named after US President Donald Trump in the occupied Golan Heights.

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee Saeb Erekat’s remarks during a meeting organized by the Press Club in West Jerusalem.

Erekat was reported saying that if Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu were to annex one inch of the occupied Palestinian territories, he would have eliminated any possibility of peace in the region.

He was also reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida stating that Israel’s annexation move will means the end of the negotiated solution and destruction of the Palestinian Authority, and calling for imposing sanctions on Israel.

Member of Fatah Central Committee Abbas Zaki was reported in al-Quds stating that support should be provided to the Jordan Valley as a priority in face of Israel’s annexation move.

Highlighting the virtual meeting of Islamic institutions worldwide in support of Jerusalem, al-Quds said that the attendees reiterated their rejection of the US-touted Mideast plan, dubbed deal of the century, as well as of Israel’s annexation move.

According to al-Quds and al-Ayyam, Palestine asked the United Nations to convene the UN General Assembly over Israel’s annexation move.

Al-Quds reported Director of Waqfet Izz Fund Talal Nasserdine announcing that the fund would disburse 500 shekels for each of 18,000 families affected by the novel coronavirus crisis in the West Bank and Gaza.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said that President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree assigning 10 judges to work in the state institutions.

It reported that General Supervisor of Official Media in Palestine Ahmad Assaf met the Chinese ambassador Guo Wei along with head of the visiting Chinese medical team.

It also reported Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli detention center of Ofer denying Israeli media reports that they reached an agreement with the Israeli Prison Service (IPS).

It also reported Tulkarem Governor Rafi‘ Rawajbeh and Hebron Governor Jibrin al-Bakri describing the Israeli list of names of Palestinians who allegedly sold land to settlers as incorrect and intended to foment confusion.

Al-Ayyam said that Palestinians activists affirm that they would continue to launch incendiary balloons towards southern Israel and threaten to utilize tough tools.

K.F.