RAMALLAH, Thursday, January 24, 2019 (WAFA) – The ongoing Israeli repression of Palestinian prisoners inside Ofer prison dominated the front page headlines in Palestinian Arabic dailies on Thursday.
The dailies reported: The dialogue between the prisoners and the Administration of Ofer Prison failed, Israeli occupation authorities are slated to impose further repressive measures on prisoners.
They added that President Mahmoud Abbas was following with deep concern Israeli assaults on Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, mainly Ofer.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida added that Abbas has instructed competent officials to hold urgent contacts with various parties ]to raise protection for prisoners[.
On the other hand, al-Quds opted to report that US Secretary of State’s Mike Pompeo discussed his country’s Mideast plan, dubbed Deal of the Century, with regional leaders during his latest tour.
It added that US President Donald Trump’s administration will resume its ]alleged[ “efforts to reach a peaceful settlement” immediately after upcoming Israeli elections.
Additionally, al-Quds reported that Israeli settlers announce arrangements for intrusions into East Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during February.
The dailies reported that Israeli occupation authorities have decided to release the body of Hamdan Al-Ardah.
Al-Ardah, a 60-year-old Palestinian businessman, was killed by Israeli forces during a military raid in the central West Bank city of Al-Bireh on December 14th, 2018.
Moreover, al-Quds reported that Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah met Swiss President Ueli Maurer and urged him to support Abbas’ initiative, which calls for the establishment of a multilateral mechanism for talks with Israel.
Hamdallah met with Maurer on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Yet, al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported that Israeli forces quelled a demonstration against a recently-opened ‘Apartheid Road’ near Anata town, northeast of Jerusalem.
The road, known to Israelis as Route 4370, separates Israeli and Palestinian traffic with an eight-meter concrete wall.
The dailies also highlighted media reports that Ramallah District Magistrate’s Court has sentenced the mayors of Ramallah and Al-Bireh cities in absentia for three months of imprisonment.
Besides, al-Ayyam reported member of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Executive Committee Ahmad Majdalani stating that the committee agreed to contribute to a better national atmosphere and launch a dialogue on the formation of a government representing all factions and holding elections.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said in this regard that the PLO’s Executive Committee discussed the political situation and intra-Palestinian reconciliation.
Spotlighting heightened tensions in Gaza, al-Ayyam said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledges a “lethal and very painful” response to Gaza borderline protests.
It added that the Israeli cabinet has decided to allow the transfer of Qatari funds into the besieged coastal enclave.
It said that Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian-owned lands in Hebron and Asira al-Qibliya town, southwest of Nablus.
According to al-Hayat al-Jadida, Secretary-General of the PLO’s Executive Committee Saeb Erekat urges worldwide countries to pressurize Israeli occupation authorities to release Sami Abu Dayak, a prisoner suffering from cancer.
It reported Chairman of the Yasser Arafat Foundation Nasser Kidwa slamming a recent Israeli court’s ruling placing a temporary lien on a plot of land partly owned by former President Yasser Arafat in Jerusalem as “another example of the bandit mentality that governs Israeli institutions”.
K.F.
