| Conflict: | October 2024 Palestinian Authority operation in Tubas |
| Place: | Tubas, West Bank, Palestine |
| Partof: | the Palestinian Authority–West Bank militias conflict |
| Date: | 8 October 2024 – present |
| Combatant1: | Palestinian Authority |
| Combatant2: | Supported by: Civilian protestors |
| Units1: | Palestinian National Security Forces Palestinian Civil Police Force |
| Units2: |
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| Casualties1: | 2 officers injured |
| Casualties2: | 3+ militants arrested |
In October 2024, the National Security Forces of the Palestinian Authority (PA) began an operation against the Tubas Brigade, a Palestinian militia affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the city of Tubas.[1] [2] [3] The operation is part of the ongoing inter-Palestinian conflict between the PA and local militias in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that began in 2022 and escalated during the Israel-Hamas war (2023–present) and its spillover into the region.
The Palestinian Authority, led by president Mahmoud Abbas, seeks to suppress militancy in Tubas, which it sees as part of an Iran-backed push to undermine Fatah, the ruling party of the PA; it also seeks to disprove the widespread perception that it is an ineffective administration.
PA security forces in Tubas arrested the commander of the Tubas Battalion, Ahmed Abu Al-Ayda, who was also wanted by Israel, and in response protestors erected roadblocks in the city and militants engaged in clashes with the security forces.[4] [5] Al-Ayda was shot during his arrest.
Following the arrest, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved into the city.
Militants also targeted the headquarters of the Palestinian Civil Police Force in al-Fara'a camp near Tubas with gunfire.
More clashes in Tubas over the arrests of Abu Al-Ayda and other militants were reported, with one person injured. Security forces entered Tubas in civilian vehicles and ambushed militant positions in the center of the city. In response, militants in Tubas called for a popular mobilization against the Palestinian Authority. Some young men who were not part of the Tubas Battalion but allegedly provided assistance to them were arrested by the security forces.[6] [7] [8]
Students in Tubas refused to attend classes and organized demonstrations in support of the militants.[9]
Security forces opened fire on residents who were organizing a vigil for the recently killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.[10]
Security forces carried out an hours-long siege of a house in Tubas where there were two militants, Obada al-Masri and Bakr Abbas; local militant reinforcements failed to break the siege and the two were eventually arrested.[11] [12]
Security forces seized and detonated an explosive planted by militants that had been planted to target raiding IDF soldiers.[13]
Residents of Tubas have said the clashes are some of the worst violence they can remember.
Ahmed Asaad, the governor of the Tubas Governorate, commended the "iron fist" of the operation against what he described as instability and chaos.[14]
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have said that the Palestinian Authority is serving Israel's agenda and encouraged militants to confront the security forces in Tubas.
The Tubas Battalion has increased security precautions, with some militants moving out of their homes and staying away from the city.
Ghaith al-Omari, an expert on Palestinian Authority affairs at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that the PA wants to restore its reputation with the Tubas operation, but also that Tubas represented "low-hanging fruit" since militants there are weaker than in other areas.