RAMALLAH, December 19, 2011 (WAFA) – The release of 550 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, and Israeli plans to build 1,000 housing units in West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements, were the focus of Monday’s issue of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies.
The prime headline across al-Ayyam’s front page reported on official and popular celebrations upon the arrival of the released prisoners in Ramallah and Gaza late Sunday night, which completed the second and final phase of the swap deal between Hamas and Israel in October that released a total of 1027 prisoners.
The daily printed a picture of a released female prisoner waving to the crowd of Palestinians in front of the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, and another picture of a released prisoner held on shoulders while making the victory sign at Rafah crossing border.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida’s front page highlighted reports that the Israeli housing ministry published bids to build 1,000 housing units in the occupied Palestinian Territory including 348 in Betar Illit settlement west of Bethlehem, 500 in the settlement of Har Homa on the land of Abu Ghneim mountain, south of Jerusalem, and 180 in Giv’at Ze’ev settlement, north of Jerusalem.
Al-Quds featured the anticipated arrival of President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo on Wednesday to supervise the talks between Hamas and Fatah delegations that started on Sunday. The talks will set a mechanism to implement the reconciliation agreement regarding the issues of the PLO, elections, security, social reconciliation and government.
The daily’s headline also reported that Abbas will meet Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal on Thursday, while a subtitle quoted Fatah Central Committee member, Azzam al-Ahmad, saying that the issue of forming the government will be discussed after December 24.
Al-Quds editorial tackled the issue of the reconciliation, the headline saying that the Palestinians are tired of waiting and deeply disappointed with how things are going on the matter. The daily called on Hamas to drop all features of factionalism and sectarianism.
“It is time for this new round of meetings and talks to end the division…without any further delay,” said the editorial.
R.Q./F.J.
