A Palestinian committee backed by the United States has launched a recruitment campaign for law enforcement officers in Gaza, marking a significant step as President Donald Trump prepares to present his peace initiative for the region.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza announced Thursday that it is accepting applications from qualified candidates interested in joining a new police force for the territory. This development comes just ahead of Trump’s inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington.
During the upcoming meeting, Trump is anticipated to reveal a multi-billion-dollar rebuilding initiative for Gaza and outline plans for a United Nations-authorized peacekeeping force in the Palestinian territory. Creating a stable security environment represents one of numerous significant challenges ahead.
The committee posted on social media platform X that the recruitment process “is open to qualified men and women who wish to serve in the police force.” The announcement directed interested candidates to an online application portal.
According to the application requirements, candidates must be Gaza residents between ages 18 and 35, possess clean criminal backgrounds, and meet physical fitness standards.
Previous Reuters reporting indicated that Hamas, the Islamist organization, has been working to integrate its existing 10,000 police officers into the new U.S.-supported Palestinian government structure. Hamas maintained control before the conflict that began with its assault on Israel and has resumed administrative duties despite Israel’s commitment to eliminate the group.
Following a ceasefire agreement negotiated by President Trump in October, Hamas maintains authority over slightly less than half of Gaza, while Israel occupies more than 50% of the territory.
Israel’s military withdrawal and Hamas’s disarmament remain major obstacles as the United States works to advance its peace strategy for the area.
The comprehensive 20-point peace proposal, currently in its second implementation phase, designates NCAG as Gaza’s governing body, specifically excluding Hamas participation.
In their announcement, NCAG acknowledged “the dedication of the police officers who continued to serve their people amidst the bombardment, displacement, and exceptionally difficult circumstances.”
The committee did not specify whether current Gaza police personnel, who have operated under Hamas authority, would be eligible for positions in the new force.
Neither NCAG nor Hamas provided immediate responses to requests for comment regarding the recruitment initiative.
Hamas representative Hazem Qassem had previously stated to Reuters that the organization stands ready to transfer governmental responsibilities to the 15-member NCAG and its leader, Ali Shaath, without delay.
“We (have) full confidence that it will operate on the basis of benefiting from qualified personnel and not wasting the rights of anyone who worked during the previous period,” Qassem stated, referring to the potential inclusion of more than 40,000 government workers and security staff.
Israel has firmly opposed any Hamas participation in Gaza’s future governance.
More than two years of Israeli military operations have left Gaza severely damaged, with local health officials reporting over 72,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction throughout the territory.
The conflict began when Hamas-led militants launched an attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli government figures.
