Home Breaking News Palestinian Authority’s High-Stakes Battle for Control in Jenin

Palestinian Authority’s High-Stakes Battle for Control in Jenin

In a rare and sweeping operation, the Palestinian Authority (PA) confronts militants in Jenin, a flashpoint for resistance and unrest.

by Soofiya

The Palestinian Authority (PA) intensified its security operations against militants in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Monday, following a series of rare and deadly raids that have escalated tensions between residents and the PA.

This marks the PA’s most extensive crackdown in years, aimed at re-establishing control over Jenin, a city that has long been a center of Palestinian resistance and where the PA’s influence has significantly waned. Since the operation began last week, at least three militants have been killed, including commander Yazid Ja’aysa, alongside one civilian. Around 20 people have been reported injured.

The campaign is viewed as a crucial test of the PA’s authority, which has faced growing criticism and loss of legitimacy, especially in northern West Bank areas. Accusations of corruption and perceived inaction against escalating Israeli violence—from both the military and settlers—have further undermined its standing among Palestinians.

Jenin, particularly its refugee camp, has emerged as a stronghold for militant groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad and, to a lesser extent, Hamas. While violent incursions into West Bank refugee camps are typically conducted by Israeli forces, the PA’s operations have traditionally been limited to low-risk arrests and attempts to reintegrate gunmen.

Last week, tensions flared between the PA and local militants after security forces moved to arrest residents accused of stealing official vehicles. In retaliation, a car bomb exploded near a police station, injuring three officers and two civilians, highlighting the growing lawlessness in the region.

Israel has long accused Iran of funding militant activity in the West Bank, where attacks on Israelis have surged in recent years. However, relations between Israel and the PA have deteriorated, especially under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, which the PA accuses of undermining its authority and disrupting financial transfers critical to its operations.

The United States, a key backer of the PA’s security apparatus, has reportedly urged Israel to approve additional American assistance to support the ongoing operation. According to Axios, Washington is seeking to bolster the PA’s capabilities amid fears that its failure to assert control could further destabilize the region.

The operation underscores the PA’s precarious position, navigating mounting internal discontent while facing external pressures from Israel and international stakeholders. Whether the PA can successfully reassert its authority in Jenin remains to be seen, but the stakes for its legitimacy and the stability of the West Bank have rarely been higher.

The outcome of the PA’s operation in Jenin will be critical in shaping its authority and credibility in the West Bank. Success in restoring order could bolster the PA’s standing, but any misstep risks further alienating the population and emboldening militant factions.

For now, Jenin remains a microcosm of the challenges plaguing the Palestinian territories: a fractured society, an embattled leadership, and an enduring conflict with no resolution in sight. As the PA continues its fight against militancy, the question remains whether it can navigate the treacherous path to stability while addressing the legitimate grievances of its people.

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