RAMALLAH, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 (WAFA) – The new set of precautions to be implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic for the upcoming Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha in the occupied Palestinian territories dominated the front page headlines in Tuesday’s issue of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies.

Al-Quds reported that the Palestinian government announced the set of measures to be adopted ahead of and during Eid al-Adha to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida elaborated that worshippers will perform the holiday prayer in public yards and squares.

They added that the government would impose a full lockdown on all governorates on the first two days of the holiday, except for bakeries and pharmacies, and ban travel between governorates.

As part of the measures, al-Hayat al-Jadida added that stores would be allowed to open on the holiday until 12:00 PM.  

The dailies reported the Health Ministry announcing that 333 Palestinians tested positive for the virus and two others died of it in the last 24 hours in the occupied territories.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam added that among the 333 new cases, 164 new cases were recorded in Jerusalem.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida also reported the ministry announcing that 769 recovery cases were recorded in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry was reported in al-Quds announcing that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among Palestinians in dispersion increased to 3,895.

The latest round of Israeli settlers and forces attacks hit the front page headlines in the dailies.

The dailies said that Israeli settlers set fire to Al-Bir Wal-Ihsan mosque and daubed racist graffiti on its walls in al-Bireh city.

Al-Quds said that 148 settlers and intelligence officers barged their way into Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida reported the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammad Hussein calling on the Palestinian people to defend the mosque compound in the wake of settler groups calls for intrusions.

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said that a Palestinian worker sustained injuries in an Israeli military pursuit close to Anin village, west of Jenin city.

According to al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida, Israeli forces seized livestock barns from Nahalin town, west of Bethlehem city.

The dailies added that Israeli forces leveled Palestinian farmlands belonging to Burqin town, west of Salfit city.

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said the Palestinian cabinet allocated funds in support of the homeowners whose property was demolished in Wadi al-Hummus area, on the edge of Sur Baher, southeast of Jerusalem.

Premier Mohammad Shtayyeh was reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida announcing that the cabinet would start today the disbursement of 126 million shekels in support of 115,000 affected families.

He was also reported in al-Ayyam stating: “We continue with a total suspension of all ties with Israel. Therefore, we will not receive the clearance funds for this month.”

According to al-Quds, the European Union (EU) provided €23 million contribution to the civil servants’ salaries and pensions for June.

The dailies said that the World Bank contributed USD30 million grant for cash support to vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19 in the West Bank.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was reported in al-Quds and al-Ayyam unveiling that the movement rejected USD15 billion offer for dismantling its arms and helping administering the besieged Gaza Strip.

Al-Ayyam reported an Israeli court ruling that Palestinians held in Israeli imprisonment have no right to social distancing protection against COVID-19 pandemic.

It added that the Israeli occupation authorities denied Palestinian women the right to leave the West Bank via the crossing with Jordan with their newly born babies under the pretext the babies were not registered in Israel.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said that President Mahmoud Abbas mourned the death of Harun Hashim Rashid, a Palestinian poet who died in Mississauga, Canada at the age of 93.

The Prisoners’ Affairs Commission was reported in al-Hayat al-Jadida announcing that a former prisoner from Qalandiya refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, tested positive for COVID-19. 

Regionally, al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said that Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Vatican counterpart archbishop Paul Gallagher underscored the need to step up efforts to stop Israel’s annexation move.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted AFP report Banksy to donate sale of artwork to Palestinian hospital.

K.F.