The force is expected to consist of thousands of Palestinian officers who will be trained in Egypt and Jordan, before being deployed in the Gaza Strip, with the task of maintaining order.
Interest is running high among young people in Gaza as the National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip (NCAG) has begun recruiting members for a new police force.
The force is expected to consist of thousands of Palestinian officers who will be trained in Egypt and Jordan, before being deployed in the Gaza Strip, with the task of maintaining order.
One Palestinian told The Jerusalem Post that both his sons applied for positions in the new force, describing their excitement. “On the same day the announcement was published, my children filled out the application form, and they were very enthusiastic about it,” he said. “After it went online, many people were very happy. I can see that there is strong demand for it in Gaza.”
However, he highlighted that for the initiative to succeed, it will require support from Israel. “Without Israeli cooperation, I don’t see how it can really happen,” he said, referring to Israel’s control over the borders and crossings.
“It’s necessary to get the go-ahead from the Israelis and have their help and logistical support. Without it, the police force will not be able to work effectively,” he explained.
Palestinians shelter in tents on a rainy day in Gaza City, November 25, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)
Led by Ali Shaath, the Palestinian technocratic committee, NCAG, is set to temporarily govern Gaza and manage civil affairs, including the rebuilding effort, under the oversight of the board of peace. It was officially formed last month, but its members- mostly affiliated with Fatah or linked to the Palestinian Authority- haven’t yet entered Gaza to begin work on the ground.
NCAG launches police force recruitment
On Thursday, the committee announced that it was launching recruitment for the future police force, stating, “Despite decades of war, destruction, and suffering, Gaza is home to talented and dedicated Palestinians who are ready to rebuild and serve their community.”
The application form stated that candidates must meet certain criteria, such as being a Gaza resident aged 18 to 35. Other conditions required being in good physical shape and having no criminal record.
Another Palestinian from Gaza expressed satisfaction with Nikolay Mladenov’s statement that about 2,000 Palestinians have signed up for the police force, and said he expects even more young men to join. “I personally believe this is an excellent move,” he told the Post.
The Gaza resident stressed this force should be free from political affiliation, arguing this is the only way the initiative can truly work.
“I think this police force should not be linked to any of the Palestinian factions- not Hamas, not Fatah,” he said. “It has to be independent; that would be more helpful.”
However, he added that a solution should be found for the existing officers in Hamas’s police force to prevent them from becoming an obstacle to the functioning of the new police.
“If Hamas leaves the scene, there will be greater opportunities for peace,” he said.
“Yet, perhaps some of the officers currently serving in the Hamas-run police and civil security forces could be incorporated into the new police force,” he suggested. “They need to be reassured in some way so they don’t stand in the way or cause problems.”
Hamas has previously stated that it is willing to transfer authority from its ministries and departments to the new technocratic committee. However, many remain skeptical that the group, which still holds power on the ground, will truly relinquish its control or influence, especially over its security forces.
In recent days, since the start of Ramadan, Hamas police officers have been stationed at intersections and markets in Gaza. They were seen in official uniforms, directing traffic and demonstrating control.
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said the officers were tasked with maintaining order and overseeing commercial activity to ensure merchants do not manipulate prices. “During our activity, we detained ten merchants for price violations,” it noted in a statement.
Hamas police in Gaza announced on Saturday that they will continue to monitor markets and take action against those who do not comply with price regulations. “We have begun taking strict measures against those engaging in monopolistic practices,” they said, calling on residents to report cases of price abuse and file complaints at the nearest police station.