Militants and Palestinian Forces Clash in West Bank, 1 Killed

Militants and Palestinian Forces Clash in West Bank, 1 Killed. Hamas militants call for mobilization to expel Palestinian Authority forces in Jenin, West Bank. The call was made on Tuesday, December 17, following clashes between Palestinian forces and local militants. Quoted from Jerusalem, the large-scale operation in Jenin began in early December after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad were accused of stealing vehicles belonging to Palestinian forces.

The accusations sparked clashes that led to bombings around a police station in Jenin. Meanwhile, the commander of the Jenin Brigade, Yazin Jaisa, was reportedly shot dead by Palestinian forces on Saturday, December 14. The brigade is affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants. This has further increased tensions in the West Bank, which Western media have called a civil war.

Earlier this week, the United States reportedly asked Israel to approve arms assistance to Palestinian forces. The Pentagon allegedly wants to use Palestine to eradicate local militants who are labeled terrorists.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa said his party would send security forces to enforce order. Hamas considered the operation to have betrayed the voice of the Palestinian people.

The militants then called on all factional movements and human rights groups to unite to expel Palestinian forces.