Palestinian Authority steps up arrests in Nablus under Israeli, US pressure
Clashes broke out between the Palestinian security forces and citizens in Nablus, in the wake of the arrest of a wanted person by Israel, in a move further deepening the popular anger against the Palestinian Authority.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — In a tight-knit ambush Sept. 20 in Nablus in the northern West Bank, Palestinian security forces arrested two Hamas fighters — Musab Shtayyeh, who is high on Israel’s most wanted list and had survived several assassination attempts, and Ameed Tbaileh, who is also wanted by Israel.
The arrest raised the ire of resistance fighters in Nablus, Jenin and several camps in the West Bank, prompting violent confrontations with the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces. The clashes led to the killing of a 53-year-old man from Nablus and the injury of dozens of others.
The following day, on Sept. 21, the security forces and Palestinian fighters reached an agreement to end the fighting, under the brokerage of local figures and the so-called Factional Coordination Committee in Nablus, which includes all PLO factions.
Under the agreement, a committee shall be formed to follow up on Shtayyeh’s case with the security services, and the security forces would cease to arrest those wanted by Israel in Nablus, release those who were arrested during the clashes and refrain from prosecuting anyone who took part in them.
