RAMALLAH, October 10, 2017 (WAFA) – The start of the Egyptian-sponsored Palestinian reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas delegations in Cairo dominated the front page headlines in Palestinian Arabic dailies on Tuesday.

The dailies reported the Egyptian-sponsored reconciliation talks would kick off on Tuesday in Cairo against the backdrop of some optimism.

Al-Quds added Israel has prevented a Hamas delegation from traveling from the West Bank to Cairo in order to attend the reconciliation talks.

It quoted Fatah officials stating: “Bringing the division to an end is an inescapable strategic choice.”

It also quoted Hamas official Khalil al-Hayyeh stating: “We are heading to Cairo reconciliation talks with open minds and hearts to achieve Palestinian partnership.”

Al-Ayyam added it is anticipated that one of the main issues to be discussed is enabling the National Consensus Government to assume responsibility in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported a Fatah official expressing Fatah’s determination to end the division upon President Mahmoud Abbas’ instructions.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said Israeli Jewish settlers forced their way into East Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound  under the protection of Israeli forces. According to al-Ayyam, a total of 460 settlers stormed the holy site.

They also reported the Islamic Endowment (Waqf) Department and other Muslim figures warning “the current situation facing the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif has reached a critically dangerous level.”

They were also reported calling upon Muslims to be present in the holy site in order to defend it against settlers’ intrusions.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam added settlers also stormed Bethlehem-district archeological site of Solomon’s Pools, Nablus-district archeological site of Sebastia and Ramallah-district town of Qarawat Bani Zeid.

Al-Ayyam added Israeli forces detained a total of 26 Palestinians during multiple predawn raids across the West Bank. According to al-Hayat al-Jadida, detainees totaled 27.

Al-Ayyam said settlers held “provocative” rallies in the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Ayyam noted dozens of Palestinians suffocated during overnight clashes with Israeli forces in the southern part of the city.

Furthermore, member of Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rjoub was reported in al-Quds newspaper stating Fatah was open to reconciliation and partnership with Hamas and pledging that the faction would not tolerate any “guardianship over our political decision.”

Al-Quds spotlighted a rally condemning Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III over sale of church property to Israeli Jewish settler groups in the northern Arab town of Reineh, near Nazareth.

Al-Ayyam said Hamas has elected Saleh al-Arouri as deputy chief of the movement.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said UNESCO’s Executive Board was set to discuss two draft resolutions on Palestine during its upcoming session in Paris.

K.F./M.K.