Location of the Palestinian Authority?

Israel’s recent military operations in the northern West Bank have caused widespread damage, including mass detentions and targeted killings, marking the largest assault since the early 2000s. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has denounced the incursions, but due to its limited jurisdiction and collaboration with Israeli forces, it has been unable to intervene effectively.

Analysts highlight the PA’s dwindling influence and complicity in Israel’s actions, leading to growing discontent among Palestinians. A recent poll revealed a majority view the PA as a burden and seek President Abbas’s resignation. The PA, established in the mid-1990s, is now seen as a security subcontractor for Israel, failing to protect its citizens or lead towards Palestinian independence.

Financially strained by Israeli deductions and politically impotent, the PA’s authority continues to diminish, with growing criticism of its leadership. International support, aimed at maintaining the status quo, prevents the PA’s collapse but perpetuates Israel’s control. As Israel expands its campaign into the West Bank, pressure on the PA is set to increase. The international community lacks the will for a real solution, prolonging the Palestinian Authority’s precarious existence.

Writer Alessandra Bajec is a freelance journalist based in Tunis. Follow her on Twitter: @AlessandraBajec