The Palestinian Authority (PA) has launched a raid on the Jenin refugee camp, killing a senior commander of the Jenin Brigades, Yazid Ja’ayseh, and injuring several others. The PA forces surrounded the camp five days ago before launching the attack.
Jenin is a highly contested area in the West Bank, where Israeli forces have faced resistance from Palestinian groups. The Jenin Brigades, an umbrella group of Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades, and Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, has united against Israeli occupation.
The PA’s raid is seen as a move to suppress armed resistance in the area. However, the Jenin Brigades have long been a major force in the West Bank, with nearly every family or house having lost someone at the hands of Israeli forces.
The incident highlights a growing divide within Palestinian politics, with some factions, like Fatah, pushing for a more conciliatory approach towards Israel, while others, like Hamas, continue to advocate for armed resistance. The PA’s actions have been condemned by some Palestinian groups, including the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) coalition of resistance groups.
The Jenin Brigades have historically worked to avoid confrontation with the PA directly, instead focusing on resisting Israeli occupation. However, recent crackdowns by the PA and this latest raid suggest that the group is under increasing pressure to adapt its strategy.
At least one person has been killed and several others injured in the clashes. The incident raises questions about the future of armed resistance in the West Bank and the role of the Jenin Brigades in the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/12/15/why-is-the-pa-raiding-jenin-camp-fighting-resistance-groups