- The PA’s crackdown in Jenin killed unarmed civilians and led to reports of detainee abuse.
- The PA shut down Al Jazeera sites to silence dissent and control the narrative.
The recent actions of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the Jenin refugee camp mark a disturbing new chapter in its long-standing betrayal of the Palestinian people and their struggle for liberation. On Friday, PA security forces killed Mahmoud al-Jalqamousi and his son Qasem on the rooftop of their home, making them the seventh and eighth victims of the PA’s brutal crackdown on anti-occupation resistance groups in Jenin since December 5, 2024. This operation, which the PA claims is aimed at restoring “law and order,” has instead unleashed a wave of violence and repression against Palestinians resisting Israeli occupation.
The crackdown in Jenin has seen at least six members of the Palestinian security forces killed, alongside numerous civilians and resistance fighters. Major Rashid Shako, a member of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, was among those killed on Friday in what PA officials described as an “accidental incident.” Such losses on both sides have escalated tensions, fueling further confrontations between PA forces and Jenin’s resistance groups. Confrontations continue daily, revealing the failure of the PA’s aggressive tactics to maintain control.
The Jenin refugee camp remains under siege, with PA forces cutting off water and electricity supplies to its residents. These collective punishments have deepened the humanitarian crisis in the camp, forcing families to endure harsh living conditions. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for the war crime of collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population. Now, the Palestinian Authority is employing the same criminal tactics, mirroring the oppressive measures used by the Israelis. The siege’s stated goal to root out “outlaws” and restore “security” has been condemned by residents of Jenin and human rights advocates, who see it as a deliberate act of repression designed to crush resistance and dismantle the Palestinian fight for liberation.
PA forces have not only targeted armed resistance groups but have also killed unarmed civilians. At the start of the campaign, a teenage boy was shot dead while riding his bicycle. Footage of the incident shows the teenager posed no threat, yet he was executed in cold blood. Similarly, Shatha al-Sabbagh, a 21-year-old journalist, was killed by PA forces last week, silencing a young voice committed to exposing the truth.
In addition to killings, disturbing videos have surfaced documenting the abuse of detainees by PA security forces. One video shows a blindfolded and handcuffed young man being thrown into a garbage container, while security personnel curse and beat him. Another clip depicts detainees forced to stand on one leg while blindfolded and chanting pro-Abbas slogans such as “God, President Abu Mazen.” Such scenes evoke comparisons to the brutal methods employed by authoritarian regimes, including the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad.
The Ramallah-based Independent Commission for Human Rights has condemned these abuses, stating that they violate both Palestinian law and international human rights standards. However, the PA has largely ignored calls for accountability, doubling down on its repressive measures in Jenin.
The PA’s efforts to suppress dissent extend beyond physical violence. In a letter dated January 6, 2025, the Magistrate Court of Ramallah ordered the closure of several Al Jazeera websites, including aljazeera.net, aljazeera.net/live, aljazeera360.com, and global.ajplus.net, for four months. The court accused the network of publishing material that “threatens national security and incites the commission of crimes.” This decision follows the PA’s closure of Al Jazeera’s West Bank office last week, temporarily suspending its operations.
The PA’s ministerial committee justified the closures by claiming that Al Jazeera’s reporting was “inciting” and “deceiving,” stirring unrest in the West Bank. However, human rights activists and analysts argue that the move is part of a broader campaign to silence critical voices and shield the PA’s actions in Jenin from scrutiny. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the closures, warning that they undermine press freedom and deprive Palestinians of vital information.
The PA’s actions in Jenin and its crackdown on Al Jazeera align disturbingly with Israeli efforts to suppress Palestinian resistance. Last September, Israeli authorities raided Al Jazeera’s Ramallah office, further highlighting the shared objectives of the PA and Israel in curbing dissent. By targeting the Jenin Brigades—a highly organized network of armed resistance fighters dedicated to defending their community and resisting occupation—the PA has positioned itself as an enforcer of Israeli occupation policies.
The siege of Jenin has not only weakened the resistance but also deepened the suffering of its residents. Families have been left without basic necessities, while PA forces continue to use disproportionate force against civilians. The PA’s narrative of “law and order” rings hollow in the face of such blatant human rights violations.
The PA’s crackdown in Jenin has sparked widespread unrest across the West Bank. Protests have erupted in multiple cities, with demonstrators denouncing the PA’s betrayal of the Palestinian cause. In response, PA security forces have resorted to brutal tactics to silence critics. Videos circulating online show officers beating protesters and arresting those who express opposition to the Jenin campaign.
This erosion of public trust poses a significant challenge to the PA’s legitimacy. Once seen as a potential vehicle for Palestinian statehood, the PA is now viewed by many as a collaborator in the oppression of its own people. Its reliance on violence and repression has alienated large segments of the Palestinian population, further undermining the prospects for unity and resistance against Israeli occupation.
