In a significant shift from its traditionally passive approach, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has deployed masked security forces and rooftop snipers in Jenin, marking an unprecedented internal Palestinian security operation that sources say is aimed at bolstering its credentials for a potential post-Hamas governance role in Gaza.
According to detailed reporting by the Washington Post, whose journalists witnessed the operation firsthand, PA forces are engaged in direct confrontation with militant groups in an area long considered a stronghold of Palestinian armed factions. The operation, dubbed "Defending the Homeland," represents the first major PA security initiative in decades in the terrorist hotbed of Jenin.
A senior PA security official, speaking to the Post, confirmed that approximately 25 wanted individuals have been detained, with several explosive devices either neutralized or detonated in controlled operations. The campaign has resulted in three casualties, including one armed militant, a civilian motorcyclist, and a 14-year-old youth.
In a development that could signal a shift in Israeli policy, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly shown flexibility regarding temporary PA control of the Rafah crossing, potentially as part of broader negotiations concerning hostage releases. This marks a departure from Israel's previous categorical opposition to PA involvement in Gaza's border crossings.
However, the operation has sparked fierce resistance from Palestinian terrorist organizations. In a joint statement, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine condemned the PA's actions, characterizing them as "serving the Israeli enemy." The statement underscores the deep divisions within Palestinian society and the challenges facing any attempt to establish unified Palestinian governance.
Despite the PA's show of force, the Washington Post's reporters observed that armed militants continue to move freely throughout Jenin, with gunfire remaining a constant presence. The security situation has forced the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to suspend school operations, while local businesses remain shuttered and essential services are disrupted in several neighborhoods.
The operation comes at a time of shifting regional dynamics, with the PA attempting to position itself as a viable alternative to Hamas in Gaza, despite growing evidence of its declining popularity among Palestinians. Since October 7, PA security forces have eliminated thirteen armed militants, compared to twenty-one neutralized by Israeli forces in September alone.
In a particularly bold move, PA forces have established a presence at Jenin's hospital, positioning masked operatives inside the facility and snipers on adjacent rooftops to prevent militant infiltration - a tactic that mirrors Israeli counter-terrorism procedures in the region.
The operation continues with deteriorating infrastructure conditions in parts of Jenin, with several neighborhoods reporting extended disruptions to electricity and water services, further complicating the PA's efforts to establish effective control over the area.
Kikar HaShabbat contributed to this article.
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