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2024 Palestinian Authority operation in Tubas
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Starting in October 2024, the National Security Forces of the Palestinian Authority (PA) conducted an operation, titled "Operation Protecting the Nation",[1] against the Tubas Brigade, a Palestinian militia in the West Bank.
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The PA, led by president Mahmoud Abbas, sought to suppress militancy in Tubas, which it sees as part of an Iran-backed push to undermine Fatah, the ruling party of the PA; it also sought to disprove the widespread perception that it is an ineffective administration.[3]
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8 October
PA security forces in Tubas arrested the commander of the Tubas Brigade, Ahmed Abu Al-Ayda, who was also wanted by Israel, and in response protestors erected roadblocks in the city and militants engaged in clashes with the security forces.[4][5] Al-Ayda was shot during his arrest.[6]
Following the arrest, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved into the city.[5]
Militants also targeted the headquarters of the Palestinian Civil Police Force in al-Fara'a camp near Tubas with gunfire.[4]
11 October
More clashes in Tubas over the arrests of Abu Al-Ayda and other militants were reported, with one person injured. Security forces entered Tubas in civilian vehicles and ambushed militant positions in the center of the city. In response, militants in Tubas called for a popular mobilization against the Palestinian Authority. Some young men who were not part of the Tubas Brigade but allegedly provided assistance to them were arrested by the security forces.[6][7][8][9]
13 October
Students in Tubas refused to attend classes and organized demonstrations in support of the militants.[10]
18 October
Security forces opened fire on residents who were organizing a vigil for the recently killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.[11]
19 October
Security forces carried out an hours-long siege of a house in Tubas where there were two militants, Obada al-Masri and Bakr Abbas; local militant reinforcements failed to break the siege and the two were eventually arrested.[3][12][13]
5 November
Security forces seized and detonated an explosive planted by militants that had been planted to target raiding IDF soldiers.[14]
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End of operation and aftermath
Under pressure from continued clashes and the cutting off of water and electricity into Tubas by the PA, 80 members of the Tubas Brigade ended up surrendering.[1][15] This occurred right after the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which may have influenced the mass surrender with militants realizing that no outside party would be coming to their aid. According to International Crisis Group, this was tantamount to a PA victory, and emboldened it to go after militants in Jenin.[1]
Nonetheless, the Tubas Brigade managed to remain intact and continues to be active in fighting against the IDF.[16][17]
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Residents of Tubas said the clashes were some of the worst violence they could remember.[3]
Ahmed Asaad, the governor of the Tubas Governorate, commended the "iron fist" of the operation against what he described as instability and chaos.[18]
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad said that the Palestinian Authority is serving Israel's agenda and encouraged militants to confront the security forces in Tubas.[3][19][6]
The Tubas Brigade increased security precautions, with some militants moving out of their homes and staying away from the city.[6]
Ghaith al-Omari, an expert on Palestinian Authority affairs at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that the PA wants to restore its reputation with the Tubas operation, but also that Tubas represented "low-hanging fruit" since militants there are weaker than in other areas.[3]
See also
Notes
- The Tubas Brigade encompasses militants belonging to the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.[2]
References
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