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Reviewing Operation ‘Protect the Homeland’ in Jenin (January 14, 2025)

Country: occupied Palestinian territory
Source: Sari Global

Please refer to the attached file.

Introduction

Since December 14, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has initiated a rare and significant security operation in Jenin, ‘Protect the Homeland’, targeting rival Non-State Armed Actors (NSAAs), including factions linked to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). This development marks a pivotal moment for the PA as it navigates a challenging and volatile landscape.

The operation underscores the PA’s growing concerns about consolidating authority in the face of internal and external pressures. This is a particularly precarious period for the PA, as perceptions of “collaboration” with Israel compound its waning popularity. Among its ranks, questions of loyalty have surfaced, heightening the risks of operational missteps. A single tactical incident, such as a death in detention, could ignite widespread backlash, amplifying tensions across the region.

Even in the absence of such an incident, rival Palestinian factions have and likely will continue to exploit the situation, fueling instability through attacks against Israeli targets. These attacks, in turn, provoke Israeli security operations, further compounding the region’s fragility. The unfolding events in Jenin are emblematic of the broader struggle for authority and legitimacy within the West Bank, with significant implications for regional stability.