Egypt has begun training hundreds of Palestinian police officers as part of a plan to establish a post-war security force in Gaza, a Palestinian official told AFP. The initiative reflects a broader effort to rebuild governance and ensure safety in the region after years of conflict.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced the plan to train 5,000 officers for Gaza during talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in August. A first group of over 500 officers completed training in Cairo in March, and the program resumed in September, welcoming hundreds more participants.
All members of the new force will be Palestinians from Gaza and paid by the Palestinian Authority, based in Ramallah.
“I’m very happy with the training. We want a permanent end to war and aggression, and we’re eager to serve our country and fellow citizens,” said a 26-year-old Palestinian officer, emphasizing his commitment to a peaceful, sovereign future.
The training focuses on operational readiness and modern border surveillance, while also addressing the aftermath of the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and its repercussions for Gaza.
A Palestinian lieutenant, who left Gaza with his family last year, said, “We received outstanding operational training, with modern equipment for border surveillance. We hope this force will be independent, loyal only to Palestine, and free from external agendas.”
The program also underscores the role of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and stresses the dream of establishing a fully sovereign Palestinian state.
The Palestinian Authority has coordinated with Egypt on this initiative under instructions from President Mahmoud Abbas. Late last year, Palestinian factions—including Hamas and Fatah—agreed on a police force of approximately 10,000 officers. Egypt will train half, while the remaining 5,000 will come from Gaza’s existing police, currently under Hamas control.
A senior Hamas official confirmed the movement supports the security and management agreements reached during the talks. The initiative has also been recognized in international frameworks, including U.S. peace proposals and a UN Security Council resolution.
Europe has shown interest in contributing as well. The EU aims to train up to 3,000 Palestinian officers in Gaza under a model similar to its ongoing West Bank mission, which has been in place since 2006 with a budget of €13 million ($15 million).
However, some details remain uncertain. Hamas officials have raised questions about coordination with Israel on the new force, while Israel opposes any role for Hamas or the Palestinian Authority in post-war Gaza.
Despite this, Hamas continues to play a central role in local governance, maintaining armed personnel to manage disputes and traffic, effectively serving as law enforcement. The group has signaled a willingness to disarm partially but only through a broader Palestinian political process.
