(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Yoni Ben Menachem - Israel is concerned with the inability of the Palestinian Authority to control the anarchy in the Jenin area in the northern West Bank. A PA operation to collect illegal weapons and arrest wanted suspects in the area has run into significant difficulties. On January 7, Palestinian security personnel arrested three teens including Mohammed Zubeidi, the son of Zakaria Zubeidi, a former commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades who escaped Israel's Gilboa prison in September before being recaptured. In response to the incident, Palestinian militants opened fire and detonated explosives at the PA's provincial headquarters in Jenin. A few hours later, the three were released. Israeli security officials revealed that the IDF was close to launching a large-scale military operation in Jenin, but held back as the PA security forces arrested many operatives and seized weapons. However, the local atmosphere towards the PA is very hostile. Hamas is encouraging the unrest.
2022-01-17 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive