PA

The planned reconciliation meeting in Cairo faces jeopardy as Palestinian factions threaten to boycott it. The key concerns lie in the ongoing wave of arrests in the Jenin area and the demand for the release of all political detainees by the Palestinian Authority (PA). The IDF refrained from entering the Jenin area to allow the PA to arrest wanted terrorists. To avoid sabotaging the Cairo meeting, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas may halt arrests temporarily.

Tensions in the city of Jenin between the PA and the Islamic Jihad are escalating as the PA’s security forces have begun arresting armed terrorists. The Islamic Jihad is threatening to boycott the reconciliation meeting in Cairo at the end of the month, where PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is expected to present a formula for disbanding the armed groups in Jenin without bloodshed.

The recent visit of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to Jenin served as a significant spectacle to address domestic concerns and bolster international support. However, there are doubts regarding his commitment to combating the terrorism perpetrated by armed groups.
Iran has shown no intention of relinquishing its outposts in the Jenin area, challenging the authority of the Palestinian Authority (PA). As a result, Israel will likely continue its military operations in the region to counter the threat of terrorism.

The recent security events in the Jenin refugee camp have exposed the weakening grip of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who has lost control over security in northern Samaria, causing a significant erosion of his position among the Palestinian population. In an attempt to restore his standing among Palestinians and regain international legitimacy, the PA chairman has initiated a national reconciliation meeting in Cairo at the end of this month.

PA security forces reentered the city of Jenin this week with increased strength, in coordination with the IDF. However, they refrained from entering the adjacent refugee camp.
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas views this as a preliminary step towards regaining control over northern Samaria. Although the IDF carried out the operation, Israel recognizes the presence of PA security forces in Jenin as an important stride in the war on terror.

The Hamas movement has declared war on the settlements and settlers, calling on Palestinians to launch attacks against them throughout Judea and Samaria.
Hamas’s influence is growing stronger, and it is also working to overthrow the PA rule. Within the Israeli security system, there is a rising demand to impose a heavy cost on the movement.