RAMALLAH, March 1, 2017 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Arabic dailies highlighted in their Wednesday issue the government decision to hold local elections on May 13 in only the West Bank after Hamas said it will not allow them in Gaza as well as the infighting at Ein al-Helweh refugee camp in Lebanon.

Al-Ayyam said one Palestinian refugee was killed in the conflict between armed groups in Ein al-Helweh and at least four others were injured.

The papers also reported on the findings of the Israeli comptroller on the 2014 Israeli military onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said Israeli state comptroller Yosef Shapira’s report found that Israel was unprepared for the strategic threat of the tunnels used by the Palestinians during the 2014 Israeli war on Gaza.

Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said Israeli forces shot and wounded an elderly Palestinian man at the Huwwara military checkpoint, south of Nablus.

Al-Quds also reported clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli force in the vicinity of Qalandia military checkpoint, north of Jerusalem.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida opted to highlight the Palestine Liberation Organization’s decision not deal with people named as representatives by the Istanbul conference for Diaspora Palestinians held on February 25.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported US Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders calling for an end to the 50-year occupation of the Palestinian territories by Israel.

Al-Ayyam said Israeli forces detained several Palestinians and showered others with tear gas canisters when they quelled a rally in solidarity with hunger-striking detainees in front of Ofer detention center near Ramallah.

It added Israeli forces detained 12 Palestinians, including four minors, during overnight raids across the West Bank, while al-Hayat al-Jadida said a total of 20 Palestinians, including four girls and two minors, were detained.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said Israeli occupation authorities delivered demolition notices for nine Palestinian structures, including residences, in the northern Jordan Valley.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida added authorities also delivered demolition notices for 14 Palestinian commercial stalls near al-Jalameh checkpoint, north of Jenin.

It reported Foreign Minister Riyad Malki calling on the Non-Aligned Movement to support and defend the two-state solution.

It also reported Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs Yousef Ideis warning that an Israeli court’s ruling allowing Jews to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque will lead to a religious war.

K.F./M.K.