RAMALLAH, March 14, 2018 (WAFA) – The attempted assassination against Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah upon entering Gaza on Tuesday was the highlight of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies on Wednesday.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida, al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported extensively on the attempt and said that Hamdallah and his convoy survived the assassination attempt.

They reported on the condemnations at home and from abroad.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida  highlighted President Mahmoud Abbas’ condemnation and had a large size three word  headline on red background that said: ‘Mines of the despicable division.”

The main front page headline in al-Ayyam read:  Broad condemnation of the assassination attempt against Hamdallah and (intelligence chief Majid) Faraj upon entering Gaza.”

Al-Quds main headline said: “Prime Minister and intelligence chief survive assassination attempt.”

The newspaper’s front page was covered with paid ads condemning the attempt and congratulating the premier for not being harmed.

The papers also highlighted Hamdallah’s arrival in Ramallah and his reception by a large crowd of officials and from the public and his statement that the attack against his convoy was well prepared and the bomb was buried two meters underground.

Al-Quds said Hamas has condemned the attack, saying it’s considered a crime and an attempt to undermine security in Gaza.

Reporting on other issues, al-Ayyam said that Israeli settlers chopped down on Tuesday olive trees and assaulted a farmer in Nablus-area villages.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said that an Israeli parliamentary committee approved the Nationality Law bill amidst strong condemnation by Palestinian-Israeli lawmakers.

Al-Quds reported on the dismal situation at the Israeli Ministry of Interior office in occupied East Jerusalem.

Al-Ayyam said Israeli forces raided the town of Azzoun in the Qalqilya area after a settler’s car was set on fire.

It said an Egyptian security delegation is staying in Gaza to follow up on reconciliation.

The papers also said US President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced him with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

K.T./M.K.