Hamas blasts PA after its forces allegedly detonated explosive device before it could blow up IDF troops in Jenin

Following reports that Palestinian Authority forces detonated an explosive device in Jenin before it was likely meant to hit Israeli troops yesterday, Hamas issues a statement this morning blasting the PA for cooperating with Israel against Hamas in the West Bank.

“The continued work of the PA’s security apparatus in the West Bank against the resistance of our people, and its escalating campaign to pursue the fighters of the resistance, confiscate their weapons, and dismantle explosive devices and ambushes set up to strike [the IDF] during its continued incursions into the West Bank, are in perfect accordance with the Zionist occupation,” the statement reads.

“The supposed role of the [PA] security services is to protect our people in the face of the ongoing crimes of the occupation. We are still in the battle of the Al-Aqsa Flood. This is a historic and fateful time for our cause,” Hamas writes, using the name with which it designates the October 7 attack.

Jenin, in the northern West Bank, is under the control of the Ramallah-based PA, ruled by the Fatah party, which is strongly opposed to Hamas. The terror group and other Islamist factions have, however, established a strong grip over the city and the surrounding area, and have significantly curbed the PA’s influence there.

The IDF declined to comment on the matter.

A short time ago, Palestinian Authority forces detonated an IED in Jenin that was likely meant for Israeli troops. The blast could have caused significant damage to Israeli military vehicles or troops on foot. pic.twitter.com/SM107dmwEC

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) August 13, 2024