The IDF, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and Border Police made arrests in Jenin this week for the first time since the massive Jenin operation in early July.
Although only two Hamas terrorists were arrested in a raid on Sunday and Monday, it was significant because the IDF has unofficially stayed out of Jenin for the past few weeks to give the Palestinian Authority an opportunity to reassert its authority.
The IDF has been concerned about taking action again in Jenin, which could undermine the PA’s legitimacy by making it seem that the PA is working directly with the IDF.
At the same time, the IDF has been adamant that it would continue to take action anywhere the PA fails to act.
So far, it seems that the PA is more comfortable arresting and enforcing order in Jenin in general, where nearly 40,000 people live, as opposed to operating in the Jenin refugee camp, which is a much smaller area, but also more volatile.
It was unclear what the consequences of the IDF operation in Jenin would be for continued PA activities, but there are still various informal connections between the sides even when formal security cooperation is at a standstill, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
Armed clashes between IDF and Palestinians
During the recent Jenin operation, an engineering vehicle was stuck due to a technical failure. The IDF was eventually able to move the vehicle out, though there was a firefight during part of that time.
In addition to the Jenin arrests, the IDF detained 10 other suspects in raids in Na’alin, el-Muir, Shiyuch, Izaria, and al-Arouv refugee camp. During some of the arrests in the West Bank villages, Palestinians threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers. The IDF used nonlethal crowd-dispersal methods to facilitate the arrests.
In Mizra-e-Sharkiya and Beit Kahil, the IDF seized terrorist funds and weapons. In Tubas, Palestinians fired at soldiers and threw improvised explosives at them. The soldiers were unharmed.