Suddenly and without warning, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has launched a sweeping security campaign in the West Bank. Not to protect Palestinians from the assaults of “Israeli forces and settler militias,” but to pursue resistance fighters and strip them of their arms. The campaign, led by PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s security forces, continues to fracture Palestinian unity, disregarding countless appeals for reconciliation among political factions.
Justifications abound, with the PA invoking lofty slogans: "enforcing law and order," "establishing stability," and "preventing chaos." Yet these explanations have done little to mask the brutal nature of the campaign. From extrajudicial killings to horrific torture, shocking images released days ago reveal PA security forces abusing detainees in their custody.
Calls to End the Campaign and Stop the Bloodshed
The arrest of Dr. Qasem Bani Ghara, head of the emergency department at Jenin Governmental Hospital, has intensified public outcry. Detained five days ago by PA forces, Dr. Bani Ghara is reportedly being subjected to severe torture at Junaid Prison in Nablus.
The Committee for the Families of Political Detainees in the West Bank has issued a desperate plea for his release. “We call on all local and international human rights organizations and the Palestinian Medical Association to act immediately to secure the release of Dr. Bani Ghara and all political detainees. The torture and violations in PA prisons must stop,” the committee stated.
The tone of these appeals—more fittingly directed at the Israeli occupation—underscores the grim reality of the PA’s actions. Meanwhile, Jenin's refugee camp remains under siege for the 29th consecutive day, forcing residents to hold Friday prayers in the social center due to ongoing restrictions.
Resistance Speaks Out
The Jenin Battalion, part of the Islamic Jihad’s military wing, Saraya al-Quds, has accused PA security forces of killing 16 Palestinians in cold blood, including journalist Shatha al-Sabbagh. The battalion also claims that 237 PA personnel are detained for refusing to participate in what the PA calls "protecting the homeland."
In a statement, the Jenin Battalion warned PA forces to rethink their actions, cautioning that their patience is running thin. The statement emphasized that the true goal of the campaign is to crush resistance and seize weapons. Meanwhile, Israeli media outlets report satisfaction among Israeli military leaders, with discussions underway about providing the PA with military equipment to enhance intelligence cooperation.
Palestinian Factions Rally Against the PA
Three major Palestinian factions—Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—have condemned the PA’s actions. In a joint statement, they affirmed the legitimacy of armed resistance, denouncing the campaign as serving Israeli interests.
“The arms of the resistance are legitimate and must not be targeted or confiscated,” the statement declared, urging the PA to avoid actions that harm Palestinian unity or threaten civil peace. The factions reiterated that resistance arms are crucial for defending Gaza against genocide and countering Israeli aggression in the West Bank.
A Reversal of National Principles
The timing of the PA’s campaign has drawn scrutiny, coinciding with preparations for U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, who plans to give the Israeli occupier greater freedom to expand further in the West Bank and Quds, with promises of increased support and protection for the expansionist Israeli agenda.
In for Exchange of Authority Over Gaza
Over the past month, the Palestinian Authority (PA) under Mahmoud Abbas has shifted its approach, moving beyond its longstanding political alignment with Israeli agendas and expansionist goals. The PA has undertaken a security campaign serving Israel’s interests by targeting the resistance in the West Bank—a force that Israeli authorities have long considered the most significant threat to their occupation.
This operation, widely perceived as questionable, has drawn attention for its timing, aligning with Israeli and American strategic discussions on the post-war governance of Gaza. Observers argue that the campaign appears designed to neutralize resistance movements in exchange for political concessions, particularly the potential handover of Gaza’s administration to the PA under Israeli oversight.
The irony of this situation lies in the fact that, as the PA disarms resistance in the West Bank, Palestinians in the region face near-daily attacks from armed and highly trained settlers, alongside the ongoing violence of Israeli military operations. Reports claim Israel has handed the PA lists of wanted individuals in exchange for promises of expanded authority in Gaza. This dynamic has sparked widespread condemnation and further fueled tensions within the Palestinian territories.
