Palestinians: Fatah's Armed Gangs Are Back

After keeping a low profile for the past few years, Fatah's armed gangs have resurfaced in the West Bank.

The reappearance of the masked gunmen could only mean one of two things: either the Palestinian Authority is really losing control, or that it is using the gunmen as a means of intimidating donor countries, especially the US and EU, into resuming financial aid to the Palestinian government in the West Bank.

Either way, the sudden reappearance of the masked gunmen, who are believed to be members of Fatah's armed wing, Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, could pave the way for a new round of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

The gunmen first took to the streets of the Balata refugee camp, near Nablus, carrying assault rifles and firing into the air.

Gatestone Institute