January 14, 2025 | Flash Brief

Fatah Says It Won’t Let Hamas, Iran Sacrifice Palestinians

January 14, 2025 | Flash Brief

Fatah Says It Won’t Let Hamas, Iran Sacrifice Palestinians

Latest Developments

  • Terrorism Has Increased in the West Bank: Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority (PA), slammed Hamas and its backer, Iran, saying in a statement on January 12 that it would not “allow Hamas, which sacrificed the interests of the Palestinian people for Iran and caused destruction in the Gaza Strip, to replicate its actions in the West Bank.” With Israel’s dismantling of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Palestinian militant factions in the West Bank have been attempting to fill the vacuum and boost terrorist attacks on Israelis.
  • PA Security Forces Crackdown in Jenin: After years of letting multiple terrorist groups spread in parts of the West Bank, the PA has initiated its own crackdown on terrorist cells affiliated with Iran-backed groups. Since early December, Palestinian security forces have engaged in operations in the West Bank city of Jenin, a stronghold for militants affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as in the cities of Tubas and Tulkarm. According to the most recent poll of West Bank residents, published in September by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 36 percent responded that they supported Hamas, while 21 percent favored Fatah.
  • Hamas and Israeli Officials Indicate Hostage Deal Nearly Finalized: The dispute with Fatah has erupted just as Hamas and Israel appear closer to finalizing a deal for a ceasefire and the release of additional hostages abducted during the October 7, 2023, atrocities. The first phase of the deal would see a 42-day ceasefire allowing for the release of 33 living hostages and the release of Palestinian terrorists in Israeli jails. Israel would also retain a buffer zone in Gaza, and IDF troops would remain there until all hostages are released.

FDD Expert Response

“Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas must rein in the Iran-backed terrorists in the West Bank, which pose a threat not only to Israel but to the PA in Ramallah. If these terror organizations like Hamas go unchecked, the PA will fall, and the West Bank will quickly begin to resemble Gaza. Abbas has no choice but to fight for his survival and the survival of the PA.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“Without meaningful action on the ground, Fatah’s rhetoric rings hollow. Since 2021, Iran-backed terrorist groups have fomented chaos in the West Bank, taking advantage of the Palestinian Authority’s failure to exercise effective governance. The PA’s reluctance to reestablish the rule of law has allowed factions like Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas to become deeply entrenched, creating a substantial security threat for both Palestinians and Israelis alike. Unless the PA reestablishes a long-lasting security presence in many of the troubled areas in the northern West Bank, its current actions against Hamas and other armed groups will be nothing more than window dressing.” Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

FDD Background and Analysis

Profiles of 28 Iran-Backed Terrorist Groups and Branches in the West Bank,” by Joe Truzman

Mapping Terrorism in the West Bank,” by Joe Truzman

‘Until All Outlaws Are Arrested’: PA Concludes Rare Jenin Crackdown,” FDD Flash Brief

‘Gazan Reality in Judea and Samaria’: Three Murdered in Roadside Ambush,” FDD Flash Brief

Issues:

Issues:

Israel Israel at War Palestinian Politics

Topics:

Topics:

Iran Israel Hamas Hezbollah Lebanon Palestinians Gaza Strip Israel Defense Forces West Bank Palestinian National Authority Palestinian Islamic Jihad Mahmoud Abbas Fatah Jenin Ramallah National Security Network Tulkarm Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research Tubas