The Jerusalem Post reports that Palestinian Authority security forces are now armed with tens of thousands of weapons, raising concerns about the risk to Israelis, particularly in central Israel. The report highlights the growing military capability of the PA forces in Judea and Samaria.
The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday highlighted a report warning that Palestinian Authority security forces are now equipped with tens of thousands of weapons, significantly increasing the potential threat to Israeli population centers. The report notes that the PA's forces have amassed a substantial arsenal, transforming what were once policing units into a more formidable military-like presence in Judea and Samaria, areas less than 22 kilometers from Israel's major cities.
This development builds on a series of prior assessments. As The Zioneer reported on July 9, i24NEWS detailed the proliferation of dozens of Palestinian 'guard committees' in Judea and Samaria, with Israeli security officials fearing they could gain access to firearms. A study published on July 8 by the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security, authored by Lt. Col. (res.) Morris Hirsch, warned that the PA security forces have evolved into a large armed military force that could threaten central Israel from a distance of just 22 kilometers. Earlier, on July 3, The Zioneer reported on Palestinian security forces parading with weapons and armored vehicles near Jerusalem.
The cumulative picture suggests a growing concern within the Israeli security establishment about the militarization of Palestinian Authority forces. The latest Jerusalem Post report does not provide specific details on the types or numbers of weapons beyond the 'tens of thousands' figure, nor does it indicate any immediate operational changes. The report is based on a single source, and the information remains unconfirmed by other independent outlets at this stage.
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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