Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Palestinian Authority arrest raid sparks West Bank clashes


AFP , Tuesday 20 Sep 2022

A rare operation by the Palestinian Authority security forces to arrest a Hamas member sparked clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday, multiple sources said.



Palestinian protesters clash with Palestinian security forces in Nablus in the occupied West Bank on September 20, 2022, following the arrest of two members of the Islamist group Hamas.
AFP


There were reports that a bystander, 53-year-old Firas Yaish, was killed in the crossfire but the Palestinian health ministry had not yet confirmed the death. A tweet, purportedly from Yaish's cousin Kawther, said it was "mourning" Firas's death.

Unrest persisted through the morning, with hundreds of youths hurling rocks at PA armoured vehicles and the sound of gunfire ringing out across the city centre, AFP correspondents reported.

The northern West Bank has suffered near daily violence in recent months.

On the other side, Israel has conducted dozens of night-time raids in the area, particularly in Jenin, pursuing wanted individuals.

Dozens of Palestinians, including fighters, have been killed in the raids that began after a series of deadly attacks against Israeli targets in March.

Israel has put mounting pressure on the PA to crack down on alleged militants in the West Bank, threatening to intervene where the PA does not maintain order.



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