In a serious escalation, Jenin refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank witnessed bloody clashes on Saturday, December 14, between members of the "Jenin Battalion" of the "Al-Quds Brigades," the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, and the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces. These clashes resulted in the martyrdom of the battalion leader Yazid Ja'aisa, one of the most wanted leaders by the occupation forces for over four years, and the martyrdom of 15-year-old child Muhammad Amer, along with the injury of about 40 other Palestinians, according to local sources.
Current Situation
Simultaneously, PA security forces continue extensive raids on the camp, with the PA confirming that these operations aim to restore order and maintain civil peace, which has sparked widespread condemnation and rejection on various levels.
Statements and Reactions
Abdulrahman Shadeed, a leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the West Bank, stated that 13 Palestinians have been martyred at the hands of PA security forces since the beginning of the Zionist aggression on October 7, 2023. In statements to Al Jazeera, Shadeed called on the PA to promote national unity instead of eliminating field leaders in the West Bank. He affirmed that the PA's actions clearly target the rising resistance, noting that these policies open the door to internal strife amid the massacres committed by the occupation in Gaza. Shadeed demanded the PA halt this approach, which threatens the stability of the Palestinian people.
Beginning of Escalation in Jenin Camp
The events in the camp began early on Saturday morning when a large force of PA security services stormed the camp from three main axes. Local sources reported the deployment of snipers positioned on the rooftops of some buildings, and the clashes between Palestinian resistance and security forces continued throughout the day.
The escalation had started days earlier after PA forces arrested several prominent leaders in the camp, such as Ibrahim Tubasi and Imad Abu Al-Hija, which triggered widespread anger among the "Jenin Battalion" that held PA vehicles hostage, demanding their release.
Factions Condemn
Following the escalation, several Palestinian factions issued statements sharply criticizing the PA's security campaign in the West Bank, calling for pressure on the PA to withdraw its forces from the camps and stop targeting resistance fighters.
Hamas, for its part, affirmed that the continued pursuit of resistance fighters by PA security forces in Jenin aligns with the occupation's aggression. In a press statement, Hamas mourned the martyr leader Ja'aisa, who was martyred by PA security forces in Jenin, days after the execution of the boy Rabhi Shalabi. The movement called for a decisive stance against this behavior, which threatens the stability of the Palestinian people, demanding an end to the attacks and the release of political detainees.
Islamic Jihad's Response
The Islamic Jihad Movement strongly condemned what it described as "serious transgressions" committed by PA security forces against resistance fighters in the West Bank, considering that their practices of killing, arresting, and pursuing constitute a breach of religious, national, and familial taboos. The movement accused the PA of seeking to drag the West Bank into a state of sedition and internal strife. In a press statement, the movement affirmed that the continuation of this condemned and suspicious plan would remain a stain of disgrace chasing all those involved, supporters, or silent in the face of these violations.
Ongoing Siege
The statement added that Jenin city and its camp have witnessed violent clashes between Palestinian resistance forces and PA security services for six consecutive days. These events erupted following the arrest of several members of the "Jenin Battalion" by PA security forces and the confiscation of funds belonging to the families of martyrs. The movement explained that PA forces continue their tight siege on Jenin camp for the sixth day, deploying large military reinforcements, including armored vehicles in the camp's streets and snipers on rooftops, reminiscent of the tactics used by the Israeli occupation army in its raids on Palestinian camps.
Response to Occupation Pressures and Elimination of Resistance
Writer and lawyer Mustafa Ibrahim described the PA's stance towards the events in Jenin, which resulted in the martyrdom of a young man followed by a child, as unacceptable, asserting that the approach to the crisis with the resistance follows the same method the PA has used for years. Ibrahim questioned in a Facebook post whether the PA fears a war in the West Bank similar to that in Gaza or if the security maintenance it claims is merely a response to Israeli pressures.
Ibrahim emphasized that Israeli occupation policies are proceeding with the devastation of the West Bank and the displacement of its residents without encountering effective Palestinian resistance.
Criticism from Writers and Analysts
Writer Lama Khater sharply criticized the PA's practices in Jenin, considering them an attempt to eliminate the remaining pockets of resistance. Khater stated on her "X" account: "The disgraceful actions of the PA in Jenin, termed 'Homeland Protection,' are among the most despicable names that can be given to a campaign to eliminate the remaining pockets of resistance and to relieve the occupier from the burden of confronting them, helping it focus on crushing Gaza."
Khater added: "This is how scoundrels manipulate minds and persist in deceiving the public, and all of this is a charge against those who expect any good from them."
Political analyst Yasser Al-Zaatreh wrote on his "X" account: "This is how they embrace the enemy in fighting the resistance, under the slogan 'Protecting the national project'! And 'Fatah' behind them applauds and justifies!"
