Gaza, Palestine – Egypt has begun training Palestinian police officers from the Gaza Strip as part of a plan to build a Palestinian security force capable of maintaining order and managing judicial affairs after the war ends, according to a Palestinian official who requested anonymity.
The official explained that more than 500 officers and personnel have received practical and cooperative training in Cairo since last March. Training courses for hundreds more have been ongoing since the end of September. This step is part of a comprehensive plan to equip a special security force comprising approximately 5,000 Palestinian police officers.
One of the participating officers noted that the training includes security and political lectures. It also covers the role of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, to ensure the new force’s independence and its loyalty solely to the Palestinian sector.
Egypt, in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, plans to integrate this force with Hamas police elements in Gaza. The goal is to form a joint force, under the supervision of a committee of technological experts, to assume internal security responsibilities and manage border crossings after the war.
This move also aligns with the US plan. That plan proposed the formation of a temporary transitional authority in Gaza to manage the daily services of the population under the supervision of an international body, in addition to supporting the Palestinian security forces through Egyptian-Jordanian-American coordination.
Officials indicated that the training included handling border crossings and checkpoints. Modern techniques were employed to ensure the Palestinian personnel were prepared to perform their duties effectively, particularly given the continued closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the only gateway to the outside world for Gaza residents without a border with Israel since the start of the war.
On another front, the European Union announced plans to train approximately 3,000 police officers from Gaza outside the Strip. This is part of a long-term program to support Palestinian security, with a budget of nearly €13 million since 2006.
This force is part of efforts to restore security and stability in Gaza after the war. Its aim is to ensure the Palestinian Authority’s ability to independently manage civil affairs and essential services, free from any external interference or political influence.
