A rare operation by Palestinian Authority security forces to arrest a Hamas member sparked clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday, multiple sources said.
There were reports that a bystander, 53-year-old Firas Yaish, was killed in the crossfire, but the Palestinian Ministry of Health had not yet confirmed the death. A tweet, allegedly from Yaish’s cousin Kawther, said it was “mourning” at Firas’ death.
The riots continued throughout the morning as hundreds of youths hurled stones at PA armored vehicles and the sound of gunfire was heard in the city center, AFP correspondents reported.
Hamas, historical rival of the secular Fatah movement that controls the PA, condemned the arrest of 30-year-old Musaab Shtayyeh, calling it a “kidnapping… a national crime” and an “eyesore” on the PA’s image.
She called for the immediate release of Shtayyeh and Ameed Tbaileh, who were arrested with him, and criticized the PA for maintaining security coordination with Israel.
“The agency has positioned itself towards our Palestinian people as the exclusive agent of the occupation (Israel),” the statement said.
While Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ forces maintain security ties with Israel, which has occupied the West Bank since 1967, PA crackdowns on Hamas members are not common.
Fatah and Hamas have made various attempts at reconciliation in recent years, but relations remain strained. Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007, when it ousted PA forces from the coastal enclave in deadly street battles.
The northern West Bank has seen violence on an almost daily basis in recent months.
Israel has conducted dozens of night raids in the area, particularly in Jenin, in pursuit of wanted people.
Dozens of Palestinians, including militants, were killed in the crackdowns that began in March after a series of deadly attacks on Israeli targets.
Israel has put increasing pressure on the PA to crack down on suspected militants in the West Bank.
Last week, after two Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in clashes near Jenin, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he would “not hesitate to act anywhere the Palestinian Authority fails to establish order.”
Earlier this month, the head of the Israel Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, said the “helplessness of the Palestinian Authority’s security forces” provides fertile ground for the armed groups.
