A senior Palestinian Authority official, who died at Corona in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, will be buried in his hometown of Jericho.
Following his death, three days of mourning were declared in the PA.
Saeb Erekat
Photography:
AP
Palestinian Authority senior Saeb Erekat will be laid to rest today (Wednesday) in his hometown of Jericho.
Before that, an official and state funeral service will be held for him at the Muqata in Ramallah.
Erekat died yesterday from Corona at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, following which three days of mourning were announced.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen and other senior officials are expected to eulogize Erekat during the ceremony in Ramallah.
His body will then be transported in a state convoy to Jericho where he will be buried and a state funeral will be held for him.
Sources in Ramallah say it is still unclear who will be Erekat's successor, and he will be appointed secretary general of the PLO executive committee.
A senior PLO official told Israel Today that Abu Mazen is expected to appoint a deputy to the deceased Erekat to prevent internal political struggles between elements interested in succeeding.
It should be emphasized that in Gaza and Judea and Samaria today marks the anniversary of the senior Islamic Jihad assassination of Taha Abu al-Ata, when Palestinian forces reportedly stepped up IDF forces deployed at checkpoints and seams in case riots broke out.
It is also reported that reinforced forces of the Palestinian security forces are also being deployed, to prevent Palestinian youths from reaching checkpoints and seam points in order to confront the army forces.