Despite freeze of security coordination, PA still arresting terror suspects

Despite the Palestinian Authority’s formal insistence that security coordination with Israel remains frozen, PA forces earlier this week arrested two relatives of an assailant who was shot dead while attempting to stab IDF soldiers.

The uncle and cousin of Abdullah Takaatka were detained outside Bethlehem in the aftermath of his July 28 attack at the Gush Etzion Junction, Palestinian sources say.

PA security forces have also recently arrested several Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists, according to reports on Palestinian social media.

This activity is taking place despite the formal position set out by PA officials that its security coordination with Israel remains on hold in the wake of the Temple Mount tensions last month. PA President Mahmoud Abbas announced a freeze in all contacts with Israel on July 21.

— Avi Issacharoff