Hamas, PIJ, and PFLP Demand Halt to PA Actions in Jenin Amid Escalating Tensions

On Saturday, Palestinian terror groups Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issued a joint statement calling for an immediate cessation of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) security campaign in Jenin, located in the West Bank. The statement follows escalating violence between PA security forces and militants in the area.

The terror organizations condemned the PA's actions, claiming they were harmful to Palestinian unity and ultimately served Israel's interests. In the statement, they stressed five main points:

1. Preservation of Palestinian Unity: The groups emphasized the importance of safeguarding Palestinian lives and unity, warning against actions that could undermine this goal.

2. Support for Armed Resistance: They declared that fighting Israel was of paramount importance and insisted that any attempt to impede resistance efforts against the Jewish State was unacceptable.

3. Demands for Withdrawal: The groups called on the PA leadership to immediately withdraw its security forces from Jenin and end the siege, which they claimed was only benefitting Israel.

4. Formation of a National Committee: They urged the creation of a higher national committee, comprising all Palestinian factions, to halt the PA’s actions in Jenin and prevent similar escalation in other areas.

5. End of Security Coordination with Israel: The groups demanded the PA sever its security cooperation with Israel and reject American influence in Palestinian affairs.

In the wake of these demands, Hamas also called for widespread mobilization among Palestinian factions, tribal groups, and human rights organizations to counter the PA's operations in Jenin. This comes amid rising tensions following the death of PIJ’s Jenin Brigade commander, Yazid Ja'isa, and the killing of a Hamas operative by PA forces just weeks earlier.

Additionally, the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) reported on Friday that its health center in Jenin had been taken over by armed Palestinian actors, preventing staff from accessing the facility.

As the situation continues to escalate, the calls for unity among Palestinian factions and a halt to the PA's security measures are likely to shape the ongoing political and military dynamics in the region.