UAE donates $100 million to create Palestinian police force for Gaza

The United Arab Emirates has transferred $100 million to the Peace Council, the US-led international body responsible for the post-war reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reported, citing a US official and a Middle East diplomat.

The publication notes that this is the largest real contribution to date, with a total volume of promised donations of $17 billion. The funds are intended to train a Palestinian police force of about 27,000 people. They will be trained by an Emirati security company in Egypt and Jordan.

The creation of a police force is seen as a priority to gradually replace the IDF in the sector. Recruitment of candidates began in February, and, according to Peace Council special envoy Nikolai Mladenov, several thousand Palestinians applied. However, former Hamas civilian employees can also apply, but they must pass a Shin Bet background check.

Negotiations to disarm Hamas have stalled. Three months after its creation, the National Committee for Gaza Management has not started work in the strip.