Security chaos in Nablus haunts PA
The Palestinian Authority is concerned about the escalating security incidents occurring between the security services and members of Fatah in the West Bank.
Unidentified gunmen attacked and stole nearly $850,000 from a Palestinian Investment Bank armored car Sept. 15 at the entrance of Bir Nabala near Ramallah. That same evening, gunmen fired at members of Palestinian security forces in Jenin, injuring some of them.
These incidents highlight the security vacuum that has prevailed in the West Bank since early this year, especially in some major cities such as Jenin and Nablus, north of the West Bank. These problems result from clashes between Fatah gunmen and Palestinian security services, and sometimes from family disputes.
The deteriorating situation pushed Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to hold a session Sept. 14 for leaders of the Palestinian security forces to follow up on the events.
A senior Palestinian official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “The state of security chaos in the West Bank has resulted since early 2015 in about 26 Palestinian deaths — seven of which were in Nablus — and the majority of those involved in these incidents are security services personnel.”
