RAMALLAH, August 20, 2018 (WAFA) – Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and property in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem was highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies on Monday.
The papers said settlers attacked Palestinian commuters on a West Bank road south of Nablus injuring five people, attempted to steal Palestinian land in Ras Karkar, a village near Ramallah, to expand illegal settlements prompting confrontations with landowners and villagers, vandalized cars and painted hate slogans in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiyeh, and carried out provocative tours of Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, in Jerusalem’s Old City.
The papers also highlighted developments in the Gaza Strip with growing talk about a possible truce agreement between Hamas and Israel, which is strongly criticized by the Palestinian Authority that insists that any such agreement should be done through it, not the factions.
Al-Ayyam said the truce talks among the Palestinian factions that Egypt has sponsored and hosted did not lead to any agreement and that the talks will resume after Eid Al-Adha holiday.
Al-Quds also said the faction leaders who were in Cairo returned to Gaza and they will resume talks after the Eid.
It quoted Hamas saying the talks focused on the Israeli blockade on Gaza, the sea passage and the truce.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida quoted Fatah Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmad saying that what came out from the Palestinian Central Council, the second highest Palestinian decision making body, that met in Ramallah last week were decision and not recommendations.
Al-Quds quoted Ahmad saying that the next Central Council session, which is expected to meet after President Mahmoud Abbas’ address to the United Nations in September, will implement these decisions, most of which have to do with re-defining relations with Israel, the occupying power.
The paper also said that Egypt is pushing for a four-way meeting to take a final stand from the American so-called Deal of the Century. The meeting will include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.
The paper quoted King Abdullah of Jordan saying that he will not change his support for an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
It said 80 British organizations have come out strong against attempts to ban any talk about Palestine.
Al-Ayyam said United Nations Secretary General has submitted his report on international protection for the Palestinians to the Foreign Ministry.
It said Israel closed Beit Hanoun./Erez crossing with Gaza without prior notice and without any real reason.
The papers reported on the Hajj season to Mecca and the severe weather condition there that seem to have interrupted the Hajj rituals.
M.K.
