RAMALLAH, Monday, January 07, 2019 (WAFA) – The decision by the Palestinian Authority (PA) to end its presence at Rafah crossing with Egypt in a protest move against Hamas practices against its employees was highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies on Monday.
Al-Ayyam said in its lead front page story that in addition to this step, Fatah, the ruling party, decided to cancel an event marking its launch planned to be held in Gaza in light of strong Hamas objections and threats to arrest anyone involved in the celebration.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said in a headline that went across the center of the front page that Hamas has “kidnapped” and summoned hundreds of Fatah activists in Gaza.
The paper, however, made the visit by President Mahmoud Abbas to Egypt as its main front page story, reported as well in the other two dailies.
Al-Quds highlighted on the top of its front page the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem for the Orthodox churches, which was also reported in the other two dailies.
The three papers also reported on the Israeli military incursion into the heart of al-Bireh, Ramallah’s twin city, saying that a youth was seriously injured when a rubber-coated steel round fired by Israeli soldiers fractured his skull.
Al-Quds said Jewish youths were arrested in connection with an attack on a Palestinian car in the West Bank two months ago that caused the death of a mother of eight. It said 482 hate crimes were committed by Jewish terrorists against Palestinians in 2018, a figure considered three times more than that in 2017.
Al-Ayyam said that based on a report by Peace Now, E2 settlement plan will divide the south of the West Bank and destroy all chances of two states.
The paper said a member of the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem has called for destroying the historic Old City wall.
Al-Quds reported on the visit of US officials in the company of Israeli officials to the occupied Old City of Jerusalem and strong Palestinian condemnation of the visit as a violation of international law that considers East Jerusalem and its Old City as occupied territory.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported on the Asia Cup football match between Palestine and Syria in the United Arab Emirates which ended in a draw.
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