Plainclothed Palestinian Authority Police Operating in Israel's Area C

A Palestinian Authority newspaper, Donia Al-Watan,, reports that undercover PA police have begun operating in Area C in Judea and Samaria. The article reports they will now wear civilian clothing when operating in Area C.

According to the Oslo Accords, Area C is supposed to be under exclusive Israeli control and security. PA police are not allowed to operate there in any capacity according to the signed agreeements.

The Palestinian Authority decided they need to clean up the illegal weapons in the PA, after PA civilians opened fire on PA policemen and others in multiple shooting incidents and clan wars during Ramadan last month. The crackdown order came from PA president Mahmoud Abbas.

So far, four PA residents were arrested by PA Police in connection to the shooting incident in Shechem (Nablus) which left 2 PA policemen dead. Two of those arrested were in Area C at the time of their arrest.

In particular the PA police will focus there search for weapons in Shechem, Jenin and Hebron.