SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

New phase on the West Bank: Palestinians against Palestinians

In the shadow of the Gaza War and Israeli raids on the West Bank, another confrontation is underway: Palestinian Authority forces clashing with Palestinian militiamen. Several people have been killed in the battles, described as the worst in several years.

» Published: December 25 2024

New phase on the West Bank: Palestinians against Palestinians
Photo: Majdi Mohammad/AP/TT

On the occupied West Bank, an unusual operation has been underway in the Jenin refugee camp for a couple of weeks. Normally, it is Israeli soldiers who carry out raids against Palestinian targets in the area, but this time it is forces from the Palestinian Authority (PA) that are attacking Islamist militiamen. The operation involves the worst armed confrontation between Palestinian groups in several years.

Many dead and arrested

For over a week, Jenin in northern West Bank has been the scene of extensive fighting. At least five people have been killed, including two civilians. Armored vehicles are patrolling the streets of the city, and according to the UN, PA forces have taken over part of a hospital and used it as a military base. PA has arrested around 50 militiamen.

The violence has led to the Islamic Jihad's military branch declaring a "day of rage" to show support for the fighters in Jenin.

The Palestinian Authority, dominated by the Fatah party, is the largest rival of the terrorist-listed Hamas. Like Islamic Jihad, Hamas condemns the PA forces' raid and accuses al-Fatah of deliberately targeting fighters wanted by Israel.

Battle for Gaza Strip

The Palestinian Authority, on the other hand, claims that it wants to establish law and order in what has long been a stronghold for armed militiamen. According to General Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the PA forces, they are focusing on "eradicating" Iran-backed groups that are trying to incite "chaos and anarchy".

However, the PA's operation can also be seen as a precursor to the situation in the Gaza Strip after the war. The Palestinian Authority wants to position itself to take over there, after the religious Hamas rule that has been in place for over 15 years.

Since October 7, 2023, when the terrorist-listed Hamas launched an attack on Israel and the Gaza War became a reality, violence has escalated even on the occupied West Bank.

From the start of the war to the end of August this year, over 600 Palestinians have been killed on the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), according to the UN's humanitarian agency Ocha. It is unclear how many of them belonged to armed Islamist groups.

Approximately 3 million Palestinians live on the West Bank – but also several hundred thousand Israeli settlers, in communities considered illegal under international law. The area has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967.

Within the framework of the occupation, the Palestinian al-Fatah is responsible for limited self-governance on the West Bank, through the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Sources: Ocha, Landguiden/UI

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Pope Francis Thanks Supporters in First Appearance After Hospital Stay

Pope Francis Thanks Supporters in First Appearance After Hospital Stay

Three Civilians, Including Two Children, Killed in Sudan Shelling

Three Civilians, Including Two Children, Killed in Sudan Shelling

World War II Bomb in Norway Safely Disarmed by Experts

World War II Bomb in Norway Safely Disarmed by Experts

Istanbul Mayor's Arrest Sparks Presidential Bid and Nationwide Protests

Istanbul Mayor's Arrest Sparks Presidential Bid and Nationwide Protests

Israel Neutralizes Drone Allegedly Launched from Yemen

Israel Neutralizes Drone Allegedly Launched from Yemen

Central Asian Workers Tricked into Ukraine Conflict by Russian Recruiters

Central Asian Workers Tricked into Ukraine Conflict by Russian Recruiters

Russian Drone Strikes on Kyiv Leave Three Dead, Including Child

Russian Drone Strikes on Kyiv Leave Three Dead, Including Child

Istanbul Mayor's Arrest Sparks Protests and Political Tensions

Istanbul Mayor's Arrest Sparks Protests and Political Tensions

US Envoy Praises Putin as a Leader and Friend of Trump

US Envoy Praises Putin as a Leader and Friend of Trump

Israelis Rally in Tel Aviv as Opposition Calls for General Strike

Israelis Rally in Tel Aviv as Opposition Calls for General Strike

Ten Officers Injured in Dramatic Paris Car Chase

Ten Officers Injured in Dramatic Paris Car Chase

England to Plant 20 Million Trees in First New National Forest in 30 Years

England to Plant 20 Million Trees in First New National Forest in 30 Years

Sudanese Refugees Seek Shelter in Chad as Aid Dwindles

Sudanese Refugees Seek Shelter in Chad as Aid Dwindles

Fatah Urges Hamas to Relinquish Control for Palestinian Future

Fatah Urges Hamas to Relinquish Control for Palestinian Future

State of Emergency in South Korea as Forest Fire Claims Four Lives

State of Emergency in South Korea as Forest Fire Claims Four Lives

Trump Decision Forces 500,000 Migrants to Leave the USA

Trump Decision Forces 500,000 Migrants to Leave the USA

Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital After Pneumonia Treatment

Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital After Pneumonia Treatment

Protests Erupt in Istanbul as Mayor Faces Terror Allegations

Protests Erupt in Istanbul as Mayor Faces Terror Allegations

Zelensky Visits Troops in Key Ukrainian City During Russian Assault

Zelensky Visits Troops in Key Ukrainian City During Russian Assault

Ecuador Bridge Collapse Claims Four Lives, Search for Missing Continues

Ecuador Bridge Collapse Claims Four Lives, Search for Missing Continues

Trump Approval Steady at 48 Percent Despite Divisive Policies

Trump Approval Steady at 48 Percent Despite Divisive Policies

Sudan's Army Advances in Khartum as RSF Intensifies Darfur Offensive

Sudan's Army Advances in Khartum as RSF Intensifies Darfur Offensive

Ukrainian Drones Target Russia Overnight, Injuring Six

Ukrainian Drones Target Russia Overnight, Injuring Six

Norway Weighs Costly Options for New NATO Air Command Site

Norway Weighs Costly Options for New NATO Air Command Site

Trump Revokes Security Clearance for Key Biden Figures and Opposition Leaders

Trump Revokes Security Clearance for Key Biden Figures and Opposition Leaders

Tate Brothers Return to Romania Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

Tate Brothers Return to Romania Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

Niger Declares National Mourning After Deadly Mosque Attack

Niger Declares National Mourning After Deadly Mosque Attack

Israel Intercepts Missile from Yemen Amid Rising Tensions

Israel Intercepts Missile from Yemen Amid Rising Tensions

Oleg Gordievskij, Key Cold War Double Agent Who Exposed Stig Bergling, Dies at 86

Oleg Gordievskij, Key Cold War Double Agent Who Exposed Stig Bergling, Dies at 86

European Ministers Urge Immediate Ceasefire Renewal in Gaza

European Ministers Urge Immediate Ceasefire Renewal in Gaza

Israel Strikes Military Bases in Central Syria, Including Palmyra

Israel Strikes Military Bases in Central Syria, Including Palmyra

Columbia University Agrees to US Demands to Restore Funding

Columbia University Agrees to US Demands to Restore Funding

Erdogan's Crackdown on CHP Sparks Concerns Over Turkey's Democracy

Erdogan's Crackdown on CHP Sparks Concerns Over Turkey's Democracy

Massive Protests Erupt in Istanbul Over Mayor's Arrest

Massive Protests Erupt in Istanbul Over Mayor's Arrest

Netanyahu and Supreme Court Clash Over Shin Bet Chief's Dismissal

Netanyahu and Supreme Court Clash Over Shin Bet Chief's Dismissal

USA Unveils F-47 Fighter Jet to Boost Air Superiority

USA Unveils F-47 Fighter Jet to Boost Air Superiority

Ukraine Seeks Ceasefire Progress in Saudi Talks with US and Russia

Ukraine Seeks Ceasefire Progress in Saudi Talks with US and Russia

Russian Drone Strike Sparks Fires and Injuries in Odessa

Russian Drone Strike Sparks Fires and Injuries in Odessa

Germany Approves €3.3 Billion Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Germany Approves €3.3 Billion Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Over 100,000 Flee Eastern Congo Amid Escalating Violence

Over 100,000 Flee Eastern Congo Amid Escalating Violence