Palestinian President Abbas visits Jenin amidst tensions following Israeli raid

1689161041 Palestinian President Abbas visits Jenin amidst tensions following Israeli raid
A Palestinian presidential gunman kisses the head of a boy as they sit among Palestinian graves of people killed in recent Israeli raids — AFP/Files
A Palestinian presidential gunman kisses the pinnacle of a boy as they sit amongst Palestinian graves of individuals killed in current Israeli raids — AFP/Information

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas is scheduled to go to town of Jenin within the northern West Financial institution on Wednesday, marking his first go to in over a decade. 

This comes only a week after the most important Israeli raid in Jenin lately, which resulted within the deaths of twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier. 

The raid happened within the Jenin refugee camp, an space recognized for intense clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed teams.

The Israeli raid, aimed toward what Israel perceives as a “terrorism hub,” concerned a whole bunch of troops, drone strikes, and armed forces bulldozers that brought about intensive harm to the streets and quite a few homes. 

Shortly after the raid, a number of high-ranking officers from Abbas’s Fatah social gathering, together with deputy chairman Mahmoud Aloul, visited the camp however confronted opposition from indignant residents.

Throughout his go to, Abbas is anticipated to tour each town of Jenin and the refugee camp, accompanied by the manager committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

 The aim of the go to, in response to Abbas’s workplace, is to evaluate the progress of reconstruction within the camp and town.

Earlier than Abbas’s arrival, the streets of the camp had been patrolled by a whole bunch of troopers from the presidential guard. 

Established in 1953, the Jenin camp was initially created to accommodate Palestinians who had been displaced in the course of the 1948 creation of Israel, an occasion referred to by Palestinians because the “Nakba” or “disaster.” 

Over time, the camp has developed from tents to concrete constructions, resembling extra of a neighbourhood than a standard refugee camp.

The safety state of affairs within the camp has deteriorated over the previous 18 months, with restricted presence from the Palestinian Authority (PA) primarily based in Ramallah. 

Native armed teams, such because the Jenin Brigade, which Israel alleges is backed by Iran, have gained affect within the camp. 

Whereas Abbas had beforehand visited Jenin in 2012, this go to will mark his first tour of the camp itself.

Consultants, nevertheless, stay sceptical concerning the affect of Abbas’s go to. 

Hugh Lovatt, a senior fellow on the European Council on Overseas Relations, said that the go to is an try by Abbas to show management over Jenin. 

Nevertheless, given the deepening disaster of legitimacy confronted by the Palestinian Authority and the rise of armed teams, this go to is unlikely to completely restore the authority’s affect.