RAMALLAH, March 19, 2017 (WAFA) – Funerals of two Palestinians killed by Israeli troops in Hebron hit the front pages of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies on Sunday.
Al-Quds, al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida reported that Palestinians in the town of al-Dahiriya, southwest of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, participated in funeral of Said Mohammad Ali Qaisia, 24, a Palestinian who was killed by an Israeli settler after allegedly attempting to carry a stab attack inside a settler outpost near the town. Many other Palestinians in the camp of Arroub also participated in the funeral of Murad Yousef Abu Ghazi, 16, who was recently killed by Israeli forces.
Following the funeral, clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces, resulting in eight Palestinian injuries, according to Al-Ayyam and al-Quds,
The three dailies also reported the recent Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. They said that Israeli warplanes and tanks bombed with missiles and shells multiple sites across Gaza, causing some financial damages to the targeted areas. The dailies said that the attacks came after Israel claimed that two rockets were fired from Gaza at southern Israel.
Israeli settlers’ attacks against Palestinians were also reported by Al-Ayyam and al-Quds. Both said settlers from the illegal settlement Kiryat Arba assaulted a Palestinian man from the city of Hebron and broke the windshield of his car.
Reactions of ESCWA leader Rima Khalaf’s resignation from UN job over the withdrawal of a report that accuses Israel of apartheid were highlighted. According to three newspapers, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas phoned Khalaf and informed he would award the highest Palestinian medal for her bravery. Palestinian political parties and organizations also praised Khalaf’s courageous stand for the Palestinian people, according to al-Quds
Al-Quds also said that the Palestinian Authority called on the European Union not to hold meetings with Israeli officials in Jerusalem.
Abbas’ visit to Egypt was highlighted in the three dailies. They said that Abbas is scheduled to meet with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo today.
The three dailies reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may call for early elections. This comes as disagreements between Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon over Israeli Broadcasting Agency intensified.
Al-Ayyam said that a rally was held in the Arab city of Qalansawe in Israel, in protest of Israel’s policy of home demolitions.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted a statement by Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO),who said that Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman‘s declaration that the Palestine National Fund is a "terrorist organization” means Israel revoked its recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
K.T/M.N
