Palestinian Authority security forces have battled Islamist fighters in Jenin for days, as they wrestle to exert control of one of the historic centres of militancy in the West Bank ahead of a likely shakeout in Palestinian politics after the Gaza war.

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

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.

Gaza Palestinian Authority security forces continued fighting militants in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Monday, amid a recent series of rare deadly raids that have sharply escalated tensions between the region’s residents and the PA.

Palestinians plead for unity and an end to clashes between Palestinian Authority forces and fighters in the Jenin refugee camp.