Palestinian security forces have launched a rare crackdown against local militant groups in the northern West Bank.

The rare move by the Palestinian Authority, who govern pockets of the Israeli- occupied West Bank, was justified to remove Iran-backed militant groups causing "chaos."View on euronews

The battle of Jenin is part of tectonic Mideast shifts that could have ramifications in Gaza and beyond, including for President-elect Trump’s hopes

In an unusual move, Palestinian security forces have initiated a crackdown on militant groups in the northern West Bank, engaging in intense gunbattles and resulting in at least two fatalities. This marks a rare operation by the Palestinian Authority to restore order in a volatile area dominated by groups like Islamic Jihad and Hamas.

The Palestinian government has been carrying out a rare and lethal sweep against militants in a flashpoint West Bank city, saying it was needed to foil an imminent car-bombing and other attacks.

The authority, which has struggled to crack down on powerful armed groups in the territory, is under pressure from the United States to escalate law-and-order operations.

At least one person was killed as Palestinian security forces clashed with Palestinian militants and set up checkpoints on Saturday in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, residents and medics said.

Letter from senior settler leaders to security cabinet calls for destruction of 'every incriminated building' in West Bank 'terror centers,' and restriction on freedom of movement The post Settler leaders call for moving Palestinian population in West Bank to combat terrorism appeared first on The Times of Israel.