RAMALLAH, Friday, March 01, 2019 (WAFA) – The United Nations panel’s report showing that Israeli soldiers have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by intentionally targeting civilian Palestinians participating in the weekly Great March of Return protests in Gaza in 2018 hit the front page headlines in Friday’s issue of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies.
Al-Quds reported the UN inquiry panel stating that the killings of Palestinian protesters in Gaza by Israeli forces may amount to war crimes.
Al-Ayyam reported the panel saying that Israel has committed war crimes as snipers targeted civilians during crackdowns on the Great March of Return protests.
Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida added in this regard that the Palestinian presidency welcomed the United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry’s report.
The Palestinian presidency was reported in al-Ayyam stating: “It is the time to hold Israel accountable ]for these crimes[,” and in al-Hayat al-Jadida calling on the International Criminal Court “to move immediately to open an investigation in these crimes.”
Following the findings of the UN panel’s report, al-Quds reported Israeli human rights group B‘Tselem reiterating calls on Israeli soldiers not to comply with ]manifestly illegal[ orders.
Regarding the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the dailies reported President Mahmoud Abbas urging both countries to de-escalate the situation.
Additionally, al-Quds reported Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah urging the European Union (EU) to impose pressure on Israel to stop the tax revenues deduction.
Israel has already deducted 42 million shekels from the first 2019 monthly transfer of tax revenues. The 42 million shekels equals the portion designated for financial support to the bereaved families of Palestinians killed by Israel and others in Israeli jails.
The dailies highlighted updates on the stormy weather conditions affecting the occupied Palestinian territories and the region.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reporting that the low pressure and cold front affecting the region are expected to recede today afternoon.
Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida added that flash floods and torrential rains caused extensive material damages and blocked several roads.
Al-Quds reported Director of Wadi Hilweh Information Center Jawad Siam saying that torrential rainfall caused dangerous collapses and damages to over 70 Palestinian houses in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan.
Torrential rains, he explained, have exposed the threat posed by the underground excavations carried out by settler Jewish organizations in the neighborhood.
Al-Ayyam said that having realized the gravity of the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, the Egyptian security delegation has decided to visit the coastal enclave.
Al-Quds reported head of Hamas’ political bureau Ismail Haniyeh announcing that Egypt released eight Palestinian detainees.
Al-Ayyam explained in this regard that among the eight Palestinians are four member of the Hamas military wing who were kidnapped 42 months ago.
Also with regards to Gaza, al-Ayyam said that Palestinians held several nighttime protests, east of al-Bureij refugee camp, in the central besieged enclave.
Spotlighting the situation in Jerusalem, al-Quds said that 37 Israeli Jewish settlers forced their way into flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida said that Israeli occupation authorities extended the detention of member of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council Zakaria Zubeidi and the lawyer of the Prisoners’ Affairs Commission Tarek Barghout for eight days.
Zubeidi was a leading member of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah’s armed wing, during the second intifada, but was later given amnesty by Israel in a deal reached with the Palestinian Authority. He and Barghout were detained on Wednesday from Ramallah city.
Al-Ayyam reported that Israeli forces detained 14 Palestinians in multiple raids across the West Bank.
Al-Quds said that Israeli soldiers raided Azzun town, east of Qalqilia, triggering confrontations with residents, while al-Ayyam said that soldiers turned a house into an observation point in the town.
Moreover, al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said that Israeli occupation authorities released Palestinian lawmaker Khalida Jarrar after 20 months in detention.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted the exchange of barbs between Secretary-General of the PLO’s Executive Committee Saeb Erekat and US President Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner.
It reported Erekat saying that Trump and Kusher are running an electoral campaign in favor of Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu.
Finally, al-Hayat al-Jadida reported the Czech Republic affirming its commitment to the United Nations’ resolutions on the occupied city of Jerusalem.
K.F.
