RAMALLAH, February 23, 2012 (WAFA) – The Israeli decision to build 500 housing units in the northern West Bank settlement of Shilo was the focus of Thursday’s issue of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies.

This item dominated almost the entire front page of al-Hayat al-Jadida newspaper, along with the Israeli decision to retroactively grant building permits to 200 housing units in the nearby illegal outpost of Shvut Rachel. The daily also featured Palestinian and international condemnation of the decision.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Ayyam newspapers printed pictures of construction work in Shilo.

Another item highlighted in all three dailies was President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal’s meeting in Cairo. Pictures of the meeting were featured on all front pages.

Al-Ayyam’s prime headline quoted Abbas and Meshaal saying “We are determined to continue with reconciliation,” adding that Hamas leadership stressed its commitment to the Doha agreement signed between both movements earlier this month.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported that Israeli settlers called to storm al-Haram al-Sharif compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, and quoted the head of the Jerusalem affairs department in the PLO, Ahmed Qurei, as saying: “Israeli plans to Judaize Jerusalem are in final stages.”

Al-Quds editorial tackled the meeting between Palestinian factions scheduled on Thursday in Cairo to study ways to implement the reconciliation agreement.

The daily called on all factions to come out with a united position to be ready to meet the challenges facing Palestinians, including the Israeli occupation, settlements and attempts to Judaize Jerusalem.

R.Q./M.S.