Fatah warns Palestinians against Hamas as Israeli backed crackdown in Jenin escalates

Fatah, the dominant party within the Palestinian Authority (PA), has lashed out at Hamas after the group accused the PA of colluding with Israel in its latest assaults on Jenin.

In a statement, Fatah accused both Hamas and Al Jazeera of “distorting” the PA’s security operations in the occupied West Bank, urging Palestinians to remain “alert” to Hamas’s claims.

For weeks, PA forces have carried out raids in Jenin and its refugee camp, targeting resistance fighters, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and residents, who accuse the PA of effectively aiding Israel’s siege on the city.

Even as Israel intensified its deadly operations in the West Bank following the Gaza ceasefire, the PA continued its crackdown in Jenin, further deepening tensions.

“The accomplishments of Palestinian security forces in Jenin were achieved despite the deception carried out by ISIL-like [ISIS] elements—those behind them in arming and funding them to transport the vicious crimes of the Israeli military from Gaza to the West Bank,” Fatah claimed, echoing Israel’s rhetoric equating Hamas with ISIL.

The PA has also mirrored Israel in shutting down Al Jazeera’s platforms in the West Bank in recent weeks, further fuelling accusations that it is acting as an enforcer of Israeli policies.

Earlier today, Hamas called on all Palestinian factions, as well as community leaders in the West Bank, to “mobilise with full force” to put an end to the PA’s “serious violations.”

Over the last month, Jenin has witnessed escalating violence as Israeli-backed PA security forces attempt to assert control over the camp, facing resistance from fighters opposing the Israeli occupation.

Last month, the Israeli army reportedly expressed satisfaction with a recent operation conducted by PA forces in the Jenin refugee camp, according to the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA).

Operations by the PA in Jenin under Israeli military oversight have involved approximately 300 armed PA personnel.

Israel's Central Command has recommended strengthening the PA’s security apparatus and increasing coordination.

Following this advice, the Israeli security cabinet instructed the army to bolster its collaboration with PA forces.