Beyond the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the recent Iranian attacks, Israel has been engaged in counter-terrorism operations within areas under Palestinian Authority (PA) control. While the latest raid in Tulkarm may initially appear unremarkable, a deeper analysis reveals several significant implications.
On April 18, Israeli forces entered the Nur Shams neighborhood near Tulkarm to apprehend terrorists. However, the operation extended for 16 hours, resulting in four Israeli soldiers being wounded by gunfire from Palestinian terrorists. This incident highlights the alarming presence of heavily armed terrorists within a civilian neighborhood in the Palestinian-controlled area.
According to Al Jazeera, a pro-terrorist media outlet, “Palestinian armed resistance fighters” engaged in combat against Israeli forces using firearms and explosives. The PA’s conspicuous absence during this incident underscores their ongoing failure to fulfill their obligations under the Oslo II Accords. Annex I, Article II, 3-c of the Accords explicitly mandates PA security forces to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in terrorism and violence.
The PA’s reluctance to combat terrorism places a significant burden on Israel, compelling them to enter potentially dangerous zones like Tulkarm to neutralize threats. The unwillingness of the PA to utilize its substantial security force, estimated at 60,000 personnel, further strains the relationship between the two entities.
Recent claims by US State Department officials and certain organizations that the PA’s new cabinet represents a more moderate and peace-seeking government are contradicted by the reality on the ground. The PA’s official news agency, WAFA, portrayed the Tulkarm incident as an “aggression” without acknowledging the presence of terrorists or their attacks on Israeli forces. This distorted reporting aligns with the PA’s systematic efforts to spread misinformation and incite hatred against Israel.
Another significant lesson from the Tulkarm operation is the potential security risks posed by a hypothetical Palestinian state in the area. Tulkarm’s proximity to Israel’s pre-1967 border raises concerns about the ease with which weapons and terrorists could infiltrate Israeli territory. Terrorists operating from Tulkarm would be able to launch attacks on neighboring Israeli communities, potentially triggering a wider conflict.
While the Tulkarm raid may appear as an isolated incident, it underscores the ongoing presence of terrorism in PA-controlled areas, the PA’s refusal to address the issue, and the potential security risks posed by a future Palestinian state in the region.
