Gaza administration opens applications to establish new police force

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) announced Thursday that it has opened applications to form a new Palestinian police force in the Gaza Strip, calling on "qualified and committed individuals" to submit their candidacy. The initiative represents a significant step toward establishing alternative governance structures in the war-ravaged enclave following the US-brokered ceasefire that halted Israel's two-year military campaign.

Recruitment Criteria and Mission

In a statement published on its website, the committee said it aims to recruit Palestinian men and women with "high professional competence and a commitment to maintaining order and stability, supporting the rule of law and protecting society with discipline and national responsibility." Describing membership as "a national duty and an active contribution to rebuilding trust and security within Gaza's society," the NCAG emphasized that the force will operate under "clear codes of conduct and continuous oversight and accountability," built on "solid foundations of accountability, transparency and respect for the law."

Governance Context

The NCAG is a nonpolitical body formed under a Gaza plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, tasked with managing daily civil service affairs in the enclave. It comprises 11 Palestinian figures led by Ali Shaath. While the committee began operating from the Egyptian capital, Cairo, in mid-January, it has yet to begin work inside Gaza, where approximately 2.4 million Palestinians face severe humanitarian conditions following the devastating conflict. Hamas has stated it completed logistical and administrative procedures to hand over civil governance duties, but entry of committee members into Gaza requires field and security coordination through crossings controlled by Israel.

Implementation Challenges

No official explanation has been issued regarding the delay in establishing physical presence inside Gaza, and Israel has not commented on the matter. The opening of police force applications represents forward movement on governance planning despite these operational obstacles. The recruitment process targets individuals demonstrating "professionalism, integrity and a sense of public responsibility, to be at the forefront of protecting families, safeguarding human dignity and helping shape a more secure future for coming generations," signaling an ambitious vision for rebuilding security institutions amid the complex political and humanitarian landscape of post-war Gaza.