Yazid Jaaysa Obituary, Death; – Clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants in the occupied West Bank resulted in the death of one individual on Saturday, according to a medical source who spoke to AFP. Hamas has identified the deceased as a fighter.
Typically, confrontations between militants and personnel of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which holds limited power in the Israeli-occupied region, are uncommon. However, the northern West Bank city of Jenin has experienced significant violence over the past week following the PA’s arrest of several militants, a move coordinated with Israeli security.
The medical source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the events, reported that one body was transported to Ibn Sina hospital in Jenin on Saturday. Additionally, several individuals, including both militants and PA personnel, were admitted to the hospital with injuries.
Hamas, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007 and maintains a presence in the West Bank, confirmed that the deceased was Yazid Jaaysa, referring to him as a “resistance fighter.” Reports from Palestinian media indicated that Jaaysa was affiliated with Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is notably active in the Jenin region.
Jenin and its neighboring refugee camp serve as a stronghold for armed factions that position themselves as a more effective resistance against the Israeli occupation compared to the PA.
Footage from AFPTV depicted armed security personnel and armored vehicles patrolling the northern West Bank city and the vicinity of the camp on Saturday, amidst the sound of gunfire.
Tensions have escalated following the PA’s recent arrests of militants. General Anwar Rajab, spokesperson for the PA’s security forces, announced that an operation commenced on Saturday at 5 am (0300 GMT) aimed at “recovering Jenin camp… from the control of outlaws.” He further stated that militants within the camp had attempted to ignite a vehicle in a bid to “detonate” it.
The military wing of Islamic Jihad has called upon Palestinians in the West Bank to initiate strikes and declare a general mobilization, designating a day of rage.
