Conflict Erupts Between Hamas and Palestinian Authority in Samaria

The fractured leadership in Palestinian territories has taken a dangerous turn, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas now waging a violent power struggle in Samaria. This internal conflict comes as both factions attempt to assert dominance, while Iran’s influence looms in the background, fueling regional instability.

For years, the Palestinian Authority has operated its infamous “pay for slay” program, rewarding terrorists who murder Israelis. Meanwhile, Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization by the United States and much of the Western world, orchestrated the horrific October 7 massacre and continues its campaign of violence against Israel.

Now, the PA and Hamas have turned their sights on each other in Samaria, particularly in the volatile city of Jenin. The PA’s security forces have clashed with fighters from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in an effort to regain control of the area, a known terrorist stronghold aligned with Iran’s broader strategy to destabilize the region.

Iran has long sought to fuel violence in Judea and Samaria by arming Palestinian factions with sophisticated weaponry. However, Israeli military actions, including decisive blows against Hezbollah and Hamas, coupled with the decline of Syria’s Assad regime, have frustrated these efforts. Despite this, Iran continues to back Hamas as it attempts to expand its influence in Samaria, even as the Biden administration signals preference for the PA to assume control in Gaza.

A senior PA security official recently accused Hamas of recklessly dragging the West Bank into chaos. “Hamas lacks the political courage to apologize to the Palestinian people… It is now gambling with what remains of the Palestinian people’s resources under the pretext of struggle and resistance,” the official stated.

Hamas’s actions have escalated tensions, exposing deep divisions within Palestinian leadership. The PA’s controversial “martyrs’ fund,” which pays families of terrorists and prisoners, remains central to Palestinian politics despite international condemnation. Since 2003, this policy has incentivized violence, further complicating any prospects for peace.

Statements from PA leaders reveal troubling attitudes toward history and violence. Just last year, Yasser Abu Sido, a senior Fatah official, justified Hitler’s Holocaust by claiming the Jews “planned to take control of Germany” and “started to bring down Germany in terms of the economy and moral values.” Such rhetoric underscores the deep-rooted hatred and extremism that continues to plague Palestinian leadership.

As Hamas and the Palestinian Authority fight for dominance, the people of Samaria remain trapped in a cycle of violence and mismanagement. With Iran’s meddling and a lack of unified leadership, the region’s future grows increasingly uncertain.

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