The Palestinian Authority (PA), in a desperate attempt to quell the growing resistance movement in the occupied West Bank, has requested a massive $680 million in US military aid.

This alarming request, made during a meeting with US security officials in mid-December, includes a plea for increased training of PA security forces and a significant boost in the supply of ammunition and armored vehicles.

The PA, facing mounting pressure from the escalating resistance in Jenin, particularly after the recent clashes that resulted in multiple Palestinian deaths, has expressed frustration with the US for failing to adequately support its security apparatus.

"Authority officials requested in the meeting that their needs for armoured vehicles and ammunition be met urgently in light of the difficulty of the clashes and their inability to resolve the situation in the Jenin camp," a source told Middle East Eye.

This move by the PA is seen by many Palestinians as a desperate attempt to maintain control in the face of growing popular discontent and the rising influence of Palestinian resistance groups. The PA's reliance on US military aid has been a cornerstone of its security strategy, often used to suppress Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation.

The US, in an effort to bolster the PA's security capabilities, has been pushing for increased cooperation between the PA security forces and Israeli forces. This includes a controversial plan to bring cooperation under the purview of US Central Command (CENTCOM), a move that has raised serious concerns among Palestinians.

The request for increased military aid comes amidst growing criticism of the PA's collaboration with Israel. The PA, which was born out of the flawed Oslo Accords, has failed to deliver on its promises of an independent Palestinian state. Instead, it has become increasingly reliant on Israel for security and economic support, while simultaneously suppressing Palestinian resistance against the occupation.

The PA's record on human rights and its brutal suppression of Palestinian dissent have drawn widespread condemnation. The ongoing Israeli occupation, characterized by illegal settlements, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings, continues to erode any hope for a just and lasting peace. (ILKHA)