HEBRON, January 3, 2016 (WAFA) – The three Palestinian Arabic dailies focused in their Sunday issue on the funeral procession of 17 Palestinians, whose bodies were held by Israel after being fatally shot by Israeli troops.

The dailies said thousands of Palestinian mourners gathered on Saturday in Hebron to bury 17 men whose bodies had been held by Israel after being killed by Israeli troops since the beginning of unrest in early October 2015.

On a different subject, the three dailies said Vatican City officially recognized the State of Palestine as an independent state.

Al-Ayyam quoted Abbas as saying that he is committed to achieving national reconciliation and forming a national unity government.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said Abbas expressed his hope that the year 2016 will see an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said presidential spokesman Nabil Abu-Rudainah denied news reports about a deterioration in the health condition of President Mahmoud Abbas.

Al-Quds reported on Israeli settlers’ failed attempt to set a house on fire in the village of Beit Furik, south of Nablus, on Saturday.

Al-Ayyam and al-Quds said Israeli fighter jets launched a series of air strikes targeting locations belonging to resistance groups in Gaza on Saturday.

Al-Quds quoted Saeb Erekat, Secretary General of the PLO, who said that the Palestinian leadership may renege on its recognition of Israel, pending the latter’s recognition of the state of Palestine.

M.N./T.R.