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
