PA’s Abbas ends programme of allowances to families of slain Palestinians

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has announced the termination of a program providing financial assistance to the families of Palestinians killed or imprisoned as a result of Israeli actions, a program that the United States and Israel have long contested and demanded be stopped. This decision reflects the ongoing pressure from international actors regarding the PA's financial support mechanisms.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree on Monday "repealing" the legal provisions related to the aid program. The order described the move as a restructuring, transferring the fund from the Ministry of Social Development to the Palestinian National Fund for Economic Empowerment. This reorganization aims to streamline the distribution of aid and ensure its efficient allocation.

The decree stated that these families would be eligible for regular welfare payments like other Palestinians, "according to standards of justice and universality." However, it remains unclear whether the allowances will be stopped immediately or continue in a new form. The United States has long condemned the Palestinian so-called "martyrs fund," arguing that it rewards attacks against Israel and labeling it "pay-to-slay." The implications of this change on the families involved are yet to be fully understood.

Hamas on Monday condemned Abbas's move as "unpatriotic," calling on him to immediately retract the decision. "We need to appreciate the sacrifices of the prisoners, the wounded, and the families of martyrs, not abandon them," Hamas said in a statement. Israel has previously withheld and deducted Palestinian tax revenues because of these payments, further complicating the financial landscape.

Abbas's decree comes as the Palestinian Authority is struggling to position itself as a credible option internationally to take over the Gaza Strip. The PA's security forces have also been cracking down on militants in the occupied West Bank who are committed to armed struggle against Israel. In December, the PA launched a weeks-long security operation in the Jenin refugee camp, claiming it was aimed at restoring law and order but also leading to accusations of a siege on the area. These actions highlight the PA's complex role in maintaining security and governance in the region.

The Palestinian Authority's operation was followed by Israel's "Iron Wall" operation in Jenin, part of its broader offensive in the West Bank that has intensified since last month's ceasefire agreement in Gaza. According to the Jenin Chamber of Commerce, the Israeli incursions have left dozens dead, including women and children, and have severely impacted the local economy, causing daily losses of at least $8.4 million. The ongoing conflict continues to inflict significant human and economic costs on the Palestinian population.

On Monday, Palestinians accused the Israeli military of destroying the Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern part of the territory. An elderly resident named Ahmed Izza said that soldiers stormed people's homes and forced them to leave. "The camp is full of destruction," he said. "The remaining residents are waiting for their turn. The camp is surrounded, and the Israeli army is searching all the houses." The destruction and displacement have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in the camp.

The United States provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel each year, but some bodies, including major human rights organizations, have accused Israel of practicing apartheid against Palestinians. This ongoing debate underscores the complex and controversial nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of international actors in addressing it.