A significant and potentially game-changing plan is taking shape in the region as Egypt actively trains a Palestinian security force intended to manage the Gaza Strip after the conclusion of the ongoing war. The initiative, which aims to establish a well-armed force of up to 10,000 fighters, is stirring a storm of controversy, raising concerns in Israel and posing a direct challenge to the future existence of Hamas's rule in the devastated enclave.
The details of this "mysterious" security force, which is being prepared for what is being called "the day after," are slowly coming to light. According to a report by the Arabic news outlet Rai al-Youm, the force is primarily composed of individuals from the Palestinian Authority's (PA) security apparatus in the West Bank, as well as figures aligned with the Fatah movement. The plan is creating significant uncertainty regarding its ultimate objectives, its chain of command, and whether it could realistically serve as a replacement for Hamas in any future political settlement for Gaza.
Egyptian officials have openly confirmed their role in the initiative. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated in a television interview this month that Egypt's vision relies on "the Palestinian component to control security and fill the vacuum after a ceasefire." He confirmed that an initial batch of 5,000 personnel is already undergoing training, with more to follow in coordination with Jordan. The goal, he explained, is to carefully select individuals with "clean security records" for eventual deployment in Gaza.
The plan appears to have broad Arab support, with Egypt, Jordan, and some Gulf states reportedly agreeing on the need to sideline Hamas from Gaza's future security and political landscape. This regional vision, however, is on a collision course with Israel's stated position. Israeli media, including the news site bhol, have reported on what they describe as a "secret agreement" to form the force. Despite the Arab consensus, the Israeli government has rejected any proposal that would see a return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, insisting on maintaining "complete Israeli security control" in the post-war era. This fundamental disagreement threatens to place Israel in direct opposition to its key Arab partners.
Further validating the plan, Mahmoud al-Habash, an advisor to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, confirmed the training of approximately 10,000 security personnel is underway with Abbas's approval. He asserted that the international community is expected to fund the operation, which could take up to six months to complete. In a stark declaration of intent, al-Habash stated, "Hamas should not be part of the day after. It's either the [Palestinian] Authority or chaos."
For its part, Hamas has officially remained silent on the formation of this specific force, adding to the ambiguity surrounding the situation. While the group has rejected proposals that would require it to dismantle its military wing, it has on several occasions indicated a willingness to step back from governing the Gaza Strip if it would bring an end to the devastating war. The emergence of this Egypt-trained force now raises critical questions about whether a new phase aimed at decisively ending Hamas's rule has begun, and how the people of Gaza would receive such a force.
Photo: Generated by Gemini AI.