Palestinian National Security Forces storm Jenin

Hundreds of Palestinian national security forces deployed in the Jenin district in the northern West Bank on Wednesday, conducting several sweeps in the area in search of alleged fugitives.

The governor of Jenin, Talal Dweikat, told Ma'an on Saturday that "Brigade 9 and special operation units conducted operations in villages, in Jenin refugee camp, and in some of the city of Jenin’s neighborhoods searching for fugitives." He added that a number of Palestinians were arrested without giving details or numbers. 

The main goal of the crackdown, according to Dweikat, is "to serve Palestinian citizens and to protect their interests" by dealing with security issues that have recently plagued the Jenin area.

The campaign, Dweikat says, has nothing to do with political factions or internal political disagreements, but is rather focused on tackling the disorder in the region which followed the killing of Islam al-Tubasi a few weeks ago by Israeli forces. 

Islam al-Tubasi was a Palestinian youth who was killed by Israeli security forces in a raid on his family home in Jenin refugee camp on Sept. 17. The killing sparked massive protests and a wave of outrage, particularly as it followed weeks of violent Israeli crackdowns across the area.

According to Dweikat, Palestinian security forces came under fire from unidentified gunman as they stormed the Jenin refugee camp. He added that “When the security forces entered Jenin camp, unidentified gunmen hurled an improvised explosive device and fired into the air from distance, but in a short time things were pacified and security officers carried out their mission.” 

Palestinian lawmaker and Jenin resident Jamal Huweil urged residents of the Jenin camp on his Facebook page to avoid any confrontations with security services. On the other hand, he also called upon security services to treat the residents respectfully "in order to prevent bloodshed."

The Palestinian National Security Forces are the paramilitary force of the Palestinian National Authority. Their movements and operations are widely subject to Israeli approval. A significant part of their funding and training comes from the United States and other Western countries.