Resistance groups issue warning to the Palestinian Authority regarding the siege on Jenin

In a joint statement issued from the Jenin refugee camp on Tuesday, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, along with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, associated with Fatah, denounced the Palestinian Authority’s military operations. They accused the PA of systematically depriving innocent Palestinians of essential resources.

The declaration strongly criticized the Palestinian Authority for allegedly crossing “red lines” by deliberately targeting civilians. It also accused the PA of hindering access to critical services, such as water, electricity, and education.

The armed factions have voiced escalating frustration, issuing a warning that their patience is waning and cautioning against pushing them to a “point of no return,” which they say could lead to severe repercussions.

They stressed that any escalation of the situation would ultimately benefit their adversaries, while reaffirming their commitment to opposing Israeli occupation.

In the aftermath of intense violence in Jenin, marked by the torching of multiple residences and the loss of several Palestinian lives, a statement has been issued. These events unfolded in response to a crackdown by the Palestinian Authority on individuals in the Jenin refugee camp.

In a significant security operation last month, the Palestinian Authority initiated a crackdown on the Jenin Brigades, an alliance of armed groups associated with Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The Palestinian Authority has formally requested $680 million in assistance from the United States, aiming to bolster efforts to suppress opposition forces.

In response to escalating tensions, the Palestinian Authority has formally requested substantial military assistance from the United States, presenting a proposal valued at $680 million. This plan aims to bolster the capabilities of its special forces through enhanced training and to expand its military arsenal with additional armored vehicles and munitions.

In a meeting held in December with US security officials, representatives from the Palestinian Authority proposed a plan seeking financial support from the United States over a four-year span. In exchange, they committed to dismantling resistance groups operating within the Jenin refugee camp.

The Palestinian Authority has expressed dissatisfaction with the United States for not yet granting approval for funding intended for renovation projects at prisons located in Bethlehem and Nablus, within the occupied West Bank.

A former US intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that for several months, the United States has been pressing the Palestinian Authority to intensify its security measures against resistance groups operating in the West Bank.

The actions of the Palestinian Authority have sparked significant criticism from the Palestinian populace, with many citizens perceiving the Authority as ineffective and plagued by corruption.

In the ongoing geopolitical situation, Israeli forces persist in carrying out independent operations within the occupied West Bank. These activities are notably taking place in Area A, a region that, under the Oslo Accords, is meant to be under the sole control of the Palestinian Authority.

Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces and Jewish settlers have been reported to have caused the deaths of at least 838 Palestinians, with over 6,700 individuals injured in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.