RAMALLAH, Thursday, February 23, 2023 (WAFA) – “Massacre” was the word common in the main headlines of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies published today.

The word was describing the Israeli army assault on Nablus yesterday that resulted in the killing of 11 Palestinians, including three elderly men, one suffocated from inhaling teargas, and one 16-year-old child, and the injury of more than 100 others, some of them in critical condition.

The papers published pictures from the assault and the funeral of the dead in which thousands of people took part.

They also published reactions, local, Arab and international, to the assault all condemning it.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida daily said the Palestinian leadership called for an emergency meeting for the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations Security Council to discuss the assault and to demand international protection for the Palestinian people.

It quoted UN Secretary-General expressing concern following the killings in Nablus and said the status quo in Jerusalem should not be changed.

Al-Ayyam daily said a general strike and day of mourning was called for in the West Bank and Gaza today.

It also said dozens were injured when Israeli soldiers suppressed protests in the West Bank against the massacre.

It said the UN coordinator is making contacts to calm the situation.

Al-Quds daily said Israel approved the construction of thousands of housing units in its illegal settlements in the occupied territories.

It also said President Mahmoud Abbas has mourned the death of Ahmad Qurei, former prime minister and speaker of the Palestinian parliament, who died at 85.

It said a 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit north Palestine and the Lebanese coast yesterday.

M.K.