Jenin, December 15, 2024. The city has long been a centre of Palestinian resistance. Reuters
Jenin, December 15, 2024. The city has long been a centre of Palestinian resistance. Reuters
Jenin, December 15, 2024. The city has long been a centre of Palestinian resistance. Reuters
Jenin, December 15, 2024. The city has long been a centre of Palestinian resistance. Reuters

Palestinian Authority fighting with militants continues in rare Jenin operation


Thomas Helm
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Palestinian Authority security forces continued fighting militants in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Monday, amid a recent series of rare deadly raids that have sharply escalated tensions between the region’s residents and the PA.

The authority, which partially governs the West Bank, launched its largest operation in years last week to regain control of Jenin, long a centre of Palestinian resistance over which the PA has all but lost control. At least three militants have been killed, including commander Yazid Ja’aysa, as well as one civilian, with about 20 people injured.

The operation is being viewed as a pivotal test for the organisation, which has fast been losing legitimacy among its subjects, particularly in the north of the West Bank, amid accusations of widespread corruption and helplessness in the face of mounting Israeli violence, both from the military and settlers.

A protest against the Palestinian Authority's security forces in Jenin's refugee camp on December 15. Reuters
A protest against the Palestinian Authority's security forces in Jenin's refugee camp on December 15. Reuters

Jenin, and in particular its refugee camp, is a stronghold of the militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad and, to a lesser extent, Hamas. Violent raids in West Bank refugee camps are typically the preserve of Israeli security forces, whereas the PA focuses on less risky arrests and efforts to rehabilitate gunmen.

Tensions nonetheless increased last week between the PA and militants after security forces attempted to arrest Jenin residents who stole vehicles belonging to security forces. The following day, a car bomb went off next to a police station that wounded three servicemen and two civilians.

Israel has long accused Iran of funding militant activity in the occupied West Bank, where attacks against Israelis have increased in recent years. Despite a close security relationship, relations between Israel and the PA have come under strain in recent years, particularly during the far-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the Palestinian side frequently accusing Israeli authorities of delegitimising it and disrupting cash transfers.

The US, which along with other Western states plays a key role in financing and training PA security forces, asked Israel to approve further American assistance amid the operation, Axios reported on Sunday.

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Updated: December 16, 2024, 3:01 PM`