Palestinian Authority Seeks to Tackle Security Chaos in West Bank

Palestinian politician Nassereddine al-Shaer (file photo: AFP)
Palestinian politician Nassereddine al-Shaer (file photo: AFP)
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Palestinian Authority Seeks to Tackle Security Chaos in West Bank

Palestinian politician Nassereddine al-Shaer (file photo: AFP)
Palestinian politician Nassereddine al-Shaer (file photo: AFP)

The attempted assassination of Palestinian politician Nassereddine al-Shaer in the West Bank constituted a blow to the Palestinian Authority's efforts to combat the security chaos amid fears of developing into a settling of political scores.

The General Political Commissioner and spokesman for the security services, Major General Talal Dwaikat, said the security services would make every effort to achieve justice and protect the law.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas contacted Shaer and ordered an immediate investigation into his case to find the assailants and bring them to justice.

Shaer was appointed as education minister and deputy prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority in 2006 after Hamas won legislative elections.

Shaer, 61, was rushed to Rafidia Hospital after being shot in the Kafr Kalil village.

Images circulated online appeared to show the former education minister's car with several bullet holes in the door, and a video showed him on a stretcher raising the victory sign.

Police spokesman Colonel Louay Arzeigat announced that unknown assailants shot Shaer in Nablus.

Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh spoke with Shaer, condemning the "blatant attack," vowing immediate action to ensure justice.

The Palestinian government confirmed that it would work to follow up on President Abbas' directives to the security services to investigate the incident and bring the attackers to justice.

The shooting was widely condemned by Palestinian factions, human rights groups, and civil society organizations.

Fatah denounced the shooting of Shaer, saying it is a criminal act that must be investigated to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The secretary of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee, Hussein al-Sheikh, issued a statement condemning the attack and wishing Shaer a speedy recovery.

The assassination attempt brought back to minds a series of security incidents in the West Bank that claimed the lives of Palestinians.

Palestinians took it to social media to express their anger over the assassination attempt, warning that Israel encourages such acts that target civil peace.

Head of Hamas movement Ismail Haniyeh called Shaer, expressing full solidarity and support.

Haniyeh condemned the "treacherous crime" that only serves the occupation and its supporters who target Palestine.

He called on the Palestinian Authority and the President to prosecute the perpetrators, noting that all Palestinians are furious over this heinous crime.

The leader of the Popular Front, Khaleda Jarrar, condemned the assassination attempt saying it was a very dangerous incident that threatens civil peace, warning against a state of security chaos.



Katz Warns Hezbollah Against Joining Conflict with Iran

A police officer inspects fragments of missile parts on the ground at an impact site following Iran's missile strike on Israel, in Be'er Sheva, Israel, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
A police officer inspects fragments of missile parts on the ground at an impact site following Iran's missile strike on Israel, in Be'er Sheva, Israel, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
TT

Katz Warns Hezbollah Against Joining Conflict with Iran

A police officer inspects fragments of missile parts on the ground at an impact site following Iran's missile strike on Israel, in Be'er Sheva, Israel, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
A police officer inspects fragments of missile parts on the ground at an impact site following Iran's missile strike on Israel, in Be'er Sheva, Israel, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanon's Hezbollah to exercise caution on Friday, saying Israel's patience with "terrorists" who threaten it had worn thin.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Thursday that the Lebanese group would act as it saw fit in the face of what he called "brutal Israeli-American aggression" against Iran.

In other statements, the group has made no explicit pledge to join the fighting. But it has condemned Israel’s surprise strikes on Iran that sparked the conflict and endorsed Iran’s missile barrages over Israel.

"I suggest the Lebanese proxy be cautious and understand that Israel has lost patience with terrorists who threaten it,” Katz said in a statement on Friday, adding that "if there is terrorism -- there will be no Hezbollah."

Qassem “is not learning a lesson from his predecessors and is threatening to act against Israel in accordance with the Iranian dictator's orders,” Katz stated.

He said on Thursday that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, “cannot continue to exist.”