Newspapers Review: Palestinian shot dead by Israeli army in Gaza focus of dailies

The night protests on the Gaza border with Israel and the Israeli army killing of a Palestinian were highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies on Monday.

The papers said Imad Daoud Ishtawi, 21, was shot in the head in northern Gaza as hundreds of Palestinians participated in night protests at the border with Israel. Several others were injured when Israeli forces opened fire at the protesters along the border fence, including one reported in critical condition.

The papers also highlighted Israeli authorities issuing notices to residents of Khan al-Ahmar to evacuate and demolish their homes by October 1. However, according to the papers, Palestinians reacted to this planting trees in the village.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted statements by Azzam al-Ahmad, a senior Fatah official and member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in which he spoke about reconciliation with Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas’ upcoming speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

Al-Quds also reported on al-Ahmad remarks and also said that there will be pro-Abbas rallies all over the country on the day he is going to deliver his UN speech.

Al-Ayyam quoted Hamas official, Sami Abu Zahri, saying Hamas is not going to support Abbas’ UN speech and that it does not want war with Israel.

The three papers reported on the autopsy results for Muhammad Rimawi, 24, which confirmed that Rimawi was beaten to death when he was arrested by Israeli soldiers at his home near Ramallah last week.

Al-Quds said schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) are observing a strike on Monday to protest cuts in services and dismissal of employees.

It also said that Israel has started building 300 housing units in the illegal settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah.

It said PLO Executive Committee Secretary General Saeb Erekat called on the UN Human Rights Council to publish the list of companies working in the illegal Israeli settlements.

Al-Ayyam said Israel informed several residents of Aqbat Jabr refugee camp in Jericho to leave and destroy their homes within three weeks.

It said Israel imposed a closure on the occupied territories at it marks Jewish holidays.

It also said Palestinian civil protest icon, Ahed Tamimi, 17, is in Athens to talk about her experience in the protest movement and in Israeli prison.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida said people who were not identified intercepted a convoy of cars for Palestinian cabinet ministers when they reached Beit Hanoun/Erez crossing with Israel as they were leaving Gaza heading to Ramallah.