Egypt has started training hundreds of Palestinian Authority security officers to handle law and order in Gaza once the current war ends. This move, reported in recent weeks, aims to fill a power gap left by Hamas and boost Egypt’s sway in the region amid ongoing ceasefire talks.
Background on the Training Plan
Egypt’s push comes as the Israel-Hamas conflict drags on into its second year, with no clear end in sight. Officials in Cairo see this as a way to shape Gaza’s future and keep out unwanted influences.
The plan traces back to ideas floated at Arab summits earlier this year. Egypt wants a stable Gaza under Palestinian control, but without Hamas calling the shots. Training began quietly months ago, picking up speed in recent days.
Sources say the effort involves coordination with Jordan and draws on past experiences from the 1990s when similar programs built up Palestinian police forces.
Details of the Security Force Buildup
Egypt aims to prepare up to 10,000 personnel for deployment. The first batch includes about 5,000 officers set for intensive sessions at military sites in Egypt.
Trainees come mainly from the West Bank, linked to the Fatah faction, which rivals Hamas. The focus is on skills like crowd control, border security, and counterterrorism.
Here are key elements of the training program:
- Basic combat and policing tactics to maintain order in urban areas.
- Lessons on humanitarian aid distribution to help rebuild communities.
- Coordination drills with international observers for smooth handovers.
A recent poll shows low public support for current Palestinian leaders, which could complicate things. Still, Egypt presses on, betting on a reformed force to win hearts and minds.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed the initiative last month, calling it part of a broader vision for peace. He stressed that Cairo has Arab and global backing for this approach.
International Reactions and Support
Reactions vary across the globe. Some Arab states like the UAE and Saudi Arabia back the idea but only if Hamas steps aside fully. They tie aid to real changes on the ground.
The U.S. has shown interest in plans that sideline extremists, though details remain fuzzy. European nations push for quick humanitarian relief tied to security reforms.
| Country/Entity | Stance on Egypt’s Plan | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan | Supportive | Joint training efforts to stabilize region |
| UAE | Conditional | Demands Hamas disarmament before funding |
| Saudi Arabia | Cautious | Links support to exile of Hamas leaders |
| United States | Open | Favors non-Hamas governance for aid flow |
| Israel | Opposed | Distrusts PA due to past terror links |
This table highlights how allies view the plan, showing a mix of hope and hurdles.
Challenges Facing the Initiative
Israel stands as the biggest roadblock. Leaders there reject any PA role, citing issues like funding for attacks and biased education in schools. They prefer local groups with Gulf oversight.
Public opinion among Palestinians adds another layer. Surveys from May 2025 reveal 81 percent want their current president to step down, signaling deep distrust.
Egypt worries about border chaos if fighting spills over. Troops have moved closer to Gaza, officially to stop mass crossings, but it also signals readiness to act.
Ceasefire talks in Doha and Cairo keep the topic hot. Any deal could speed up deployment, but failure might delay or scrap the whole effort.
On top of that, funding remains a puzzle. Gulf states hold the purse strings, and their conditions could make or break the plan.
Future Implications for Gaza
If successful, this could mark a turning point for Gaza, shifting from conflict to rebuilding. Experts say a trained force might help deliver aid and restore services faster.
Yet, without buy-in from all sides, it risks more division. Egypt’s role could grow, but so could tensions with Israel.
Recent events, like stalled hostage negotiations, underline the urgency. As talks resume, eyes turn to how this training fits into bigger peace efforts.
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