RAMALLAH, May 7, 2017 (WAFA) - The mass open-ended hunger strike, which was launched by the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails on April 17, and the supportive, anti-occupation protests throughout the occupied West Bank, remain on the front pages of the Palestinian Arabic dailies on Sunday.

Al-Quds, al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said in their headlines that the ongoing hunger strike, also known as "The Freedom and Dignity" battle, has entered its 21st day, amidst Israel‘s plans to seek doctors to force-feed the striking prisoners.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported a statement by Issa Qaraqe, head of the Palestinian Prisoners‘ Affairs commission, who said that doctors, regardless of their nationality, who participate in force-feeding the prisoners will be legally prosecuted, while Al-Ayyam said that Palestinians in the West Bank have been showing continuous support of the prisoners through  protests and other activities that display solidarity.

Reporting the recent developments in the Gaza Strip, the three dailies said that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was elected as the new political bureau of Hamas. Haniyeh replaced Khaled Meshaal, who announced he wouldn‘t run for the position after 21 years in office.

On Hamas‘ new charter, the three dailies reported that the Islamic Jihad Movement has rejected the new charter, saying that it doesn‘t agree with Hamas‘ new policy, which accepts a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.

Addressing the Israeli scene, al-Quds and al-Ayyam said that Israeli police recommended indicting the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges.

Al-Ayyam said US President Donald Trump‘s administration has rejected Israel‘s request to delay Trump‘s visit to Israel until the 50th anniversary of the Six Day World in June. However, al-Quds published a minor headline that said that Israel denied these claims and that no one has asked Trump to delay his Israel visit.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said that French socialist senator Gilbert Roger and other senators will urge the current French President to recognize the state of Palestine.

Al-Hayat also reported that The European Union (EU) Representative in Jerusalem and EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah called on Israel to fully respect international law regarding Palestinian prisoners held in its jails. They said in a statement that they were following “with concern” the ongoing hunger strike more than 1500 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have started in April.

K.T.