WEST BANK: A recent incident in the West Bank initially reported as an assassination attempt against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has now been clarified as an unrelated gunfight. The incident unfolded after a group called the “Children of Abu Jandel” claimed responsibility for an attack on Abbas’s convoy, following a 24-hour ultimatum they had given him to take action against Israel.
The ultimatum came after Abbas held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the West Bank city of Ramallah. These discussions centered on addressing the challenges faced by Palestinians in Gaza, particularly in the wake of Israel’s refusal to halt military strikes following surprise attacks by the Hamas terror group on October 7th.
In their statement, the “Children of Abu Jandel” demanded that Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, take a firm stance in favor of a full confrontation with the Israeli occupation, utilizing all available means, and denounce statements made by Secretary Blinken.
Regrettably, one casualty was reported during the West Bank shooting, with the victim believed to be an Abbas bodyguard. It is important to note that while initial reports raised concerns of an assassination attempt, subsequent investigations have indicated that the incident was related to an unrelated gunfight.
