RAMALLAH, January 7, 2012 (WAFA) – The three Palestinian Arabic dailies Saturday highlighted Damascus suicidal bombing and the Orthodox Christians celebrations of Christmas Eve on Friday.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida focused on the death of 26 Syrians, mostly civilians, in the suicidal attack that targeted a crowded area in the capital Damascus. The headline reported on mutual accusations between the Syrian regime and the opposition over responsibility for the attack.

The story kicker featured the death of 35 civilians by the Syrian security forces during demonstrations calling on the United Nations to end the violent crackdown on the opposition.

The daily printed a picture of the scene of the attack from the official Syrian news agency, SANA, featuring the damage and blood pools in the area.

Al-Ayyam reported on the Christmas Eve and the Midnight Mass celebration of Orthodox Christians at the Church of Nativity, led by Theophilos III, and which was attended by President Mahmoud Abbas' representative, Tayeb Abdul Rahim, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and other Palestinian and international officials.

The three dailies printed pictures of Theophilos III and Palestinian officials during the celebrations.

Al-Quds newspaper was the only one to highlight Israeli media reports of a plan to establish a new neighborhood for ultraorthodox Jews in East Jerusalem and to build hundreds of housing units in other settlements, including Maale Adumim, Pisgat Ze’ev and Har Adar.

The three dailies highlighted Hamas prevention of a high level Fatah delegation from entering the Gaza Strip on Friday after holding its members for 90 minutes at the Gaza crossing with Israel.

The daily quoted member of the delegation, General Ismail Jaber, that the visit was planned and announced in advance.

Al-Quds editorial tackled the new Israel plan to build a neighborhood for extremist Jews in East Jerusalem under the headline: “What did Israel leave for negotiations?”

The daily said Israel didn’t leave hope to resume negotiations or achieve progress. It called on the international community, the Quartet and the Security Council to force Israel to end its occupation.

R.Q./M.S.