Jihadist groups routinely kill each other, particularly when a severe threat presents itself, as is the case in a developing skirmish in Judea and Samaria: “‘Traitors’: Clashes between terror groups and Palestinian security forces escalating,” by Einav Halabi, YNet News, December 14, 2024:
The Palestinian Preventive Security forces launched a large-scale counterterror crackdown in the West Bank’s Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus refugee camps last Sunday, marking the most extensive action against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives in years.
The operation, escalating Saturday, included a foiled car bomb attack targeting Palestinian security personnel in Jenin and clashes in multiple locations….
….In Jenin, Palestinian security forces reportedly encountered 20 gunmen accused of smuggling weapons and receiving foreign funds. Security officials vowed to intensify the crackdown, cut off financial support for “outlaws” and pursue legal action. “There will be no retreat,” said Anwar Rajab, a spokesperson for the security forces…
With Israel pounding Gaza and delivering crippling blows to Hamas, Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority (PA), which also seek Israel’s destruction, is looking after its interests as it cracks down on Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Jenin Brigades (an offshoot of PIJ).
There is no love lost between the PA and Hamas. Competition between the two has been a constant. Now there is a power vacuum, since Hamas is no longer functioning as the government in the Gaza Strip. In trying to reassert the PA’s hegemony over Gaza, Abbas will tolerate no potential threat.
Abbas is no stranger to playing dirty politics to cling to power. Take, for instance, this statement from 2015:
Responding to a question about why he doesn’t ignite the West Bank in resistance against Israel, Abbas said, “Hamas’ involvement in the 2014 campaign resulted in devastating outcomes for Gaza, and I am not willing to destroy my people just to say that I raised the flag of resistance.” His popularity declined further after that remark, but the narrative has shifted. Abbas is now regaining support among Palestinians, including in Gaza.
The truth is that Abbas has always cared about his own skin (and prosperity) first, then about funding terrorism via pay-for-slay, promoting the murder of Israelis, indoctrinating children and youth in love for jihad, and breaching accords. But he’ll say anything to hold on to power, since his first priority is himself.
Although “his popularity declined” after he made his statement about the “resistance” back in 2015, the same pattern isn’t playing out now. With Gaza in ruins, the Palestinians are desperately seeking a way out amid the brutal ravages of war.
With violent conflict between the PA, Hamas and Palestinian Jihad, the Biden administration has asked Israel to “urgently approve the supply of equipment and ammunition” for the PA security forces, fearing an uprising similar to the one that just took place in neighboring Syria. This would not be in Israel’s interests. So far, Israel has not responded to the Biden team, and should instead seize the opportunity to take greater control over Judea and Samaria from the PA, PIJ rebels (and Jenin Brigades) and Hamas.
somehistory says
In this case, the “enemy of my enemy is my enemy” because he wants to retain the power
DOUG PERLE says
It is time to eliminate the “2 State option” and bring peace into Israel. The only way to do that is to take the
terrorists out and the P.A. If Israel tries to incorporate the people of Gaza, Judea, and Samaria and treats them as citizens this could become peace. Israels history of treating Gaza people with hate of their own has raises the likely hood of war. If the Gazan people want peace, then they need to show they are willing to be peaceful. No more terrorist organizations or the hate religions of the middle Easter
James Hoagland says
Doug pay attention to the demographics! Those in Gaza are among the most sophisticated and well educated people! They are a radicalized population used as fodder to destroy Jews and Israel. The vast majority are brain-washed from birth to hate Jews. The vacuum probably would be filled by ISIS or Al Qaida! Israel needs to annex Judea and Samaria as this is legally Jewish land anyway! If there is a state for them it is in northern Jordan as the Hashemites are not as powerful as they once were. But this also skips over the fact that ‘palestinian’ is a Phantom Nation!
DOUG PERLE says
Oh, I know they are an intelligent population, I have a “son-in-law” who is from Israel and was a Gaza citizen, till he moved to America with his parents. He has told me of the Israelis’ actions against the people in Gaza. Forcing people to walk miles to “check points”, destroying a doctors Olive tree farm on and on. Israel needs to become what they claim to be, accepting others and creating peace with them, not increasing hatred. I agree on the Israelis’ needing to annex all areas that are close or in the state of Israel, even the Golan Heights for self-defense.
rick says
If they are so intelligent then why did they vote for Hamas? Why did they celebrate Oct. 7th on Oct. 7th? AN intelligent people would realize that Gaza would pay a steep price for the massacre and atrocities committed by Hamas on Oct. 7th. “Intelligent” for me is the ability to think for yourself and not follow a disastrous policy, as Gaza residents have. I can only conclude “not so intelligent” as are most Palestinians whose brains are taken up with hatred for Jews and lack clarity of thought.
DOUG PERLE says
Who said they did vote for Hamas? You have heard of election fraud? It stands that when a population is being treated ill, they begin to fight back! That could be the reason they voted for Hamas. I just know that they were not happy with the way Israel was and has treated them. Israel has no respect for the people of Gaza. Note: I told my son-in-law years ago that I would no longer support the people of Gaza because they were in support of Hamas. Note also that I no longer call them Palestinians just people of Gaza. My theory was and I told by son-in-law (Palestinian) that Hamas would brainwash these people and Hamas has done that with the help of UNWRA! UNWRA isn’t a good UN organization nor is the United Nations that is controlled by communists and influenced by the Islam haters.
James Hoagland says
Now that the competition has been weakened and the PA has been greatly supported by the Biden-Harris Administration it is the moment to grasp on to an image of power that they don’t possess. The PA/PLO/Fatah are not popular among the Arabs as they have done nothing for the mass of people for years. Internally they are corrupt and weak and as soon as Abbas leaves the scene internal conflict will rip them apart. Hamas is weakened and PIJ is not so big and the gap will be filled by which radical islamic cult? Perhaps ISIS or Al Qaida? Meanwhile it is a perfect time for Israel to annex Judea and Samaria. It is legally Jewish land anyway and time for Israel to assert itself. Besides, in essence, this is an act of self-defense!
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Oh great! Now there’s a complete civil war in Judea & Samaria, almost like in Syria. Hopefully they can all destroy each other, and Israel can reclaim historically Jewish cities like Hebron, Jericho, Nablus and even Bethlehem
James Lincoln says
Yes, Infidel.
Israel reclaiming historically Jewish cities would be great.
rick says
Fake story. Abbas wouldn’t go after Hamas until Israel kills every Hamas member and leaves only 4 alive because Abbas is scared. Hamas killed PA members in a very moderate ( for Hamas ) version of Oct. 7th. They shot them in the street in front of their family members and threw them off rooftops. No gang rapes as I recall but maybe Hamas is less proud of raping Arabs then they are of raping Jews.
Israel always warned Abbas of a pending assassination plot by Hamas. It is literally true that Abbas would not live with out Israel. But Abbas like most Palestinians is a back stabber and Israel can save his miserable life 100 times and it doesn’t mean anything to Abbas as far as owing a debt of gratitude.
So is Abbas really ready to go to war with Hamas? Doubt it. He probably figures he is too old a person to scare Hamas and they will now ignore him. If He really does kill Hamas people, maybe they will kill people close to Abbas rather than Abbas himself. Hamas knows that when they are in a room together, Abbas refers to Hamas as “Sir” and then “Brother”. If he changes that greeting it will be to “I am your servant as always and my esteemed partner to destroy Israel”
Skeptiker says
Pack schlägt sich. Pack verträgt sich. Gut so, wenn die ihre Eliminierung selbst übernehmen.
Naja says
There is no”path” to peace. Peace is the path.