The Palestinian Authority’s Struggle in Jenin
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is facing significant challenges in the northern West Bank city of Jenin amid an escalating crackdown on local terror factions that receive support from Iran. This operation has led to violent confrontations and further deepened the rift between the PA and local communities.
Iran’s Role in Local Conflict
According to Mohammad Daraghmeh, bureau chief for Asharq News in Ramallah, the PA is undertaking efforts to restrict the financing of local militant groups by Iran. “Iran has been financing militants to purchase weapons, and now the PA is trying to halt this,” he stated in an interview with Fox News Digital. “The PA understands that Iran’s support for Hamas and Islamic Jihad will continue, which poses a persistent challenge.” Following the recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, public sentiment is increasingly against another military confrontation with Israel. This context has prompted the PA to take a stand against Iranian influence.
U.S. Assistance Amidst Turmoil
Amid the unrest, reports suggest that the United States is seeking Israeli approval to deliver urgent military aid to bolster the PA’s efforts in Jenin. According to Axios, the Biden administration aims to send critical equipment, including ammunition, helmets, bulletproof vests, and armored vehicles. Historically, U.S. aid to the PA has fluctuated between 0 million and 0 million annually, and after a hiatus during the Trump administration, assistance was resumed under President Biden to support the PA’s initiatives.
Rising Violent Incidents
The West Bank has witnessed increased volatility since the escalation of conflicts on October 7. Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad have intensified their operations in the region, significantly supported by Iranian backing. Dr. Michael Milshtein, head of the Forum for Palestinian Studies at Tel Aviv University, highlights the concerning trend of these groups seeking to expand their operational capabilities in the West Bank. “Efforts are underway to manufacture rockets and fire them from Jenin at Israeli cities,” he noted, indicating that while these efforts remain in the preliminary stages, they pose a worrying escalation as Jenin risks becoming a nexus for terrorism.
Escalation of Conflict
The situation turned increasingly bleak when PA security forces killed Yazid Jaysa, an Islamic Jihad commander, during a recent operation. This event was the third fatality in Jenin within a week, following the death of 19-year-old Rahbi Shalabi amid ongoing gun battles. Such incidents have stoked local unrest, particularly within the Jenin refugee camp. “The entire refugee camp is now opposed to the PA,” Daraghmeh explained, underscoring the growing hostility toward the PA’s authority in the region.
Local Resistance and PA’s Struggles
On Sunday, PA forces attempted to move outside the refugee camp to assert control but encountered fierce resistance from militants. “There’s no active fighting at the moment, but the PA forces are essentially stuck,” Daraghmeh remarked. Their attempts to advance into the camp have been met with opposition, leading to a precarious situation where they are unable to proceed or withdraw due to a significant militant presence prepared to confront them.
A Disintegrating Authority
Milshtein, a former head of Palestinian affairs in Israeli Defense Forces military intelligence, described the PA’s current predicament as a loss of governing capability in northern Samaria, including Jenin. “For years, Israel has treated these regions like Gaza, operating without relying on PA control structures, effectively creating a power vacuum,” he explained.
The Regional Context
Experts believe that the timing of the PA’s intensified operations may be influenced by broader regional developments, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the political landscape in Syria. Milshtein pointed to the downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as a critical factor in the PA’s decision-making process. “When one dictator, Mahmoud Abbas, witnessed another dictator’s downfall, he likely felt compelled to act decisively to avoid a similar fate,” Milshtein elaborated, suggesting that the PA’s authority was perceived to be on the brink of collapse.
Prospects for Control in Gaza
Furthermore, the PA’s crackdown is seen as part of a broader strategy to reaffirm its authority in anticipation of potential political shifts regarding Gaza. The PA has historically struggled to reclaim governance in Gaza since Hamas’s takeover in 2007. In the current climate, there is an underlying hope that demonstrating control over the West Bank might enhance the PA’s legitimacy amid potential future scenarios involving Gaza.
The Unlikelihood of PA Governance in Gaza
Despite these efforts, Milshtein expressed skepticism about the PA’s ability to reclaim authority in Gaza, emphasizing the challenges posed by the entrenched governance of Hamas. “I don’t foresee the PA taking control of Gaza,” he remarked, noting that the region’s population largely views the PA as collaborators with Israel and has lived under Hamas rule for over 17 years. Any attempt by the PA to assert governance in Gaza would likely be met with significant resistance, he added.
A Contained Crisis
While the violence in Jenin remains a pressing issue, Daraghmeh believes that the unrest is unlikely to spill over into other parts of the West Bank. “In cities like Ramallah and Hebron, residents don’t want the West Bank to descend into chaos like Gaza,” he stated, highlighting a desire among many for stability. The situation in Jenin, though critical, is seen as a contained test of the PA’s capacity to exercise control over its territories.
Conclusion
The PA’s ongoing efforts to curb militant activity in Jenin reflect a deep-rooted struggle against external influences and local dissent. As the complexities of regional politics and local sentiments intertwine, the PA’s attempts to restore its authority are met with numerous challenges. With the volatile landscape of the West Bank shifting underfoot, the road ahead for the Palestinian Authority remains uncertain.
