RAMALLAH, December 23, 2017 (WAFA) – News and photos of the “Friday of rage” protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip dominated the Saturday front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies.

The papers said two were killed in confrontations with Israeli soldiers that raged near the Gaza border fence and hundreds injured, including in the West Bank, with al-Hayat al-Jadida putting the number of wounded at 157, adding that medics seeking to treat wounded and journalists covering the events were also targeted by the Israeli army during the protests.

Al-Ayyam said Israeli forces used unidentified gas in quelling the protests, explaining that the gas causes severe suffocation and unconsciousness.

It said Israeli police detained four Turkish nationals after assaulting them near one of the gates to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City. It said police prevented the Turks from entering the mosque compound and a brawl broke out between them.

Al-Quds said hundreds of Palestinians marched through Jerusalem’s Old City streets following the Friday prayer at Al-Aqsa to protest the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The three papers also highlighted a visit for President Mahmoud Abbas to France and his meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. They also published the President’s Christmas message, in which he said he will not accept any US peace plan because the US has aligned itself with Israel and therefore cannot be an honest broker.

Abbas also received a telephone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan that had to do with efforts to confront the US move on Jerusalem.

The three papers also continued their extensive coverage of world reaction to the US decision on Jerusalem, reporting about protests throughout the Arab world and beyond denouncing the US decision.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said in a story that the US decision has killed the joyous spirit of Christmas in the Holy Land.

M.K.