This article reports on the dire situation in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, where Palestinian Authority (PA) forces are carrying out an operation to root out armed groups. The camp has been plagued by constant gunfire, a lack of food and water, and bitter cold temperatures.
Locals who spoke with the BBC asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation from the PA. They described the situation as “dire” and said that people were unable to move around freely in the camp due to the shooting. The restaurant where one resident worked had been closed for days because nobody was coming, and basic necessities like milk and bread were scarce.
The UN humanitarian agency OCHA has called for an investigation into human rights violations committed by PA forces during the operation. Residents described the situation as “collective punishment,” with innocent people caught in crossfire.
General Rajab, the head of Palestinian security forces in Jenin, stated that some of the “outlaws” had been arrested and others would be brought to court. However, residents disputed this claim, saying that the entire camp was being punished for the actions of a few.
The article also touches on the broader context of the conflict, with analysts suggesting that the PA is trying to reassert itself in the West Bank and show the US that it can play a role in governing Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister‘s vision for a post-war Gaza involves Israel controlling security indefinitely and Palestinians running the territory without “any links to groups hostile towards Israel.”
The article ends with a resident, Umm al-Motassem, questioning the PA’s claim to be ensuring safety when her child was killed during the operation. She demands to know who killed her daughter and says that she will only find out when she knows.
Overall, the article paints a grim picture of life in the Jenin refugee camp, where residents are caught in the middle of a conflict between the PA and armed groups.