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HomeBusinessOutrage in the West Bank as crackdown intensifies

Outrage in the West Bank as crackdown intensifies

Shatha Sabbagh, a journalism student in her early 20s from Jenin in the occupied West Bank, found herself in a tragic situation while returning home with her family. They were caught in gunfire, and Shatha was fatally wounded.

Her mother, Nahed Sabbagh, tearfully described the moment when she realized her daughter had been killed. The streets of Jenin, particularly the refugee camp where Shatha lived, have been the scene of frequent clashes between Palestinian militant groups and Israeli security forces.

In a rare turn of events, Shatha’s death occurred during an operation by the Palestinian Authority to combat militants within the camp. This operation, the largest in the PA’s history, is seen as an effort to assert control and establish order in the volatile area.

This operation is also seen as a demonstration of the PA’s capability to govern Gaza post-war between Israel and Hamas, despite opposition from Israel’s government. Amidst ongoing tensions, Palestinian civilians like Shatha have tragically become victims of the conflict.

While the PA’s efforts are aimed at restoring stability, the loss of civilian lives, like Shatha’s, has led to public outrage and placed the PA’s legitimacy at stake. Many Palestinians now view the PA as complicit in Israel’s occupation.

Sabbagh expressed the sentiment shared by many in the camp, stating, “[Israel] and the PA — they’re two sides of the same coin.”

Palestinian police disperse demonstrators
Palestinian police disperse demonstrators during a protest against clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants in Jenin
© Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty Images

Despite the PA’s efforts to control the situation, tensions remain high in Jenin with ongoing exchanges of gunfire and casualties on both sides. The PA aims to prevent further escalation and maintain stability amidst provocative actions from Israel’s government.

While the PA’s operation has had a relatively low death toll, the internal conflict among Palestinians during a time of external aggression has raised concerns about unity and shared goals among the Palestinian people.

Efforts are being made to mediate a resolution to the conflict in Jenin as the PA faces internal and external pressures. The tragedy in Jenin serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Palestinians in their quest for peace and stability.

Cartography and data visualisation by Aditi Bhandari and Chris Campbell

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