2024 Palestinian Authority operation in Tubas

8 October PA security forces in Tubas arrested the commander of the Tubas Brigade, Ahmed Abu Al-Ayda, who was also wanted by Israel, and in response protestors erected roadblocks in the city and militants engaged in clashes with the security forces. Al-Ayda was shot during his arrest. Following the arrest, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved into the city. 13 October Students in Tubas refused to attend classes and organized demonstrations in support of the militants. 18 October Security forces opened fire on residents who were organizing a vigil for the recently killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. 19 October Security forces carried out an hours-long siege of a house in Tubas where there were two militants, Obada al-Masri and Bakr Abbas; local militant reinforcements failed to break the siege and the two were eventually arrested. 5 November Security forces seized and detonated an explosive planted by militants that had been planted to target raiding IDF soldiers. == End of operation and aftermath ==

Under pressure from continued clashes and the cutting off of water and electricity into Tubas by the PA, 80 members of the Tubas Brigade ended up surrendering. This occurred right after the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which may have influenced the mass surrender with militants realizing that no outside party would be coming to their aid. According to International Crisis Group, this was tantamount to a PA victory, and emboldened it to go after militants in Jenin. == Reactions ==

Residents of Tubas said the clashes were some of the worst violence they could remember. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad said that the Palestinian Authority is serving Israel's agenda and encouraged militants to confront the security forces in Tubas. The Tubas Brigade increased security precautions, with some militants moving out of their homes and staying away from the city. Ghaith al-Omari, an expert on Palestinian Authority affairs at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that the PA wants to restore its reputation with the Tubas operation, but also that Tubas represented "low-hanging fruit" since militants there are weaker than in other areas. == See also ==