The Palestinian militant group Hamas reportedly wants to integrate its 10,000 police officers into a new US-backed Palestinian administration. On Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported that Israel is unlikely to agree to this request by Hamas, writes TASR.
- Hamas wants to integrate 10,000 policemen into the new government.
- Israel is unlikely to agree to this demand.
- A US-supervised technocratic committee is to take over the administration of Gaza.
Hamas controls less than half of the Gaza Strip after a cease-fire with Israel that came into effect on October 10, 2025. Based on US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for the Gaza Strip, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza – a Palestinian technocratic committee under the supervision of the US – will take over the administration of this territory, while Hamas will not be a part of it.
Hamas demand
In a letter seen by Reuters on Sunday, the Hamas leadership of its nearly 40,000 officials and members of the security forces calls for cooperation with the said committee. It assured them that he was working to integrate them into the new government. Four unnamed sources say it would also include around 10,000 members of the Hamas-run police force. Reuters notes that this is a request that has not been reported so far.
It is not yet clear whether Israel would agree to this demand. However, Israel is opposed to Hamas being involved in the future of Gaza.
Gaza Reconstruction Framework
Last Thursday, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Trump established the Peace Council by signing the Charter. It will serve as a transitional administration to establish a framework and coordinate financing for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The framework includes a provision that prohibits “foreign terrorist organizations” from participating in governance.
A Hamas spokesman told Reuters that the group is immediately ready to hand over the administration of Gaza to the aforementioned 15-member technocratic committee, chaired by Ali Shaas.
“We have every confidence that it will operate on the basis of the use of qualified personnel and will not unnecessarily jeopardize the rights of anyone who worked in the previous period,” the spokesman said, referring to the enlistments and referring to the movement’s personnel.
Restructuring of ministries
Four sources say Hamas is open to a restructuring of ministries by the Gaza National Committee and the retirement of some staff. Mass layoffs could lead to chaos, according to sources.
The leadership of Hamas has not yet met with Sha’as to discuss the administration of the Palestinian territories, an official of the movement said.
The White House released a document last week stating that the Trump administration wants the immediate decommissioning of heavy weapons in the Gaza Strip. Personal weapons should be registered and gradually handed over.
Possibility of disarmament
A US official said Tuesday that some form of amnesty would be granted to Hamas fighters. However, Hamas must disarm on the basis of the peace plan.
A Palestinian official familiar with Hamas disarmament talks said the group is talking about the possibility of neutralizing its weapons, which could happen in the event of a cease-fire. It is also reportedly ready for a long-term truce. “However, Hamas strongly believes that a serious political negotiation process on Palestinian statehood must begin, in which both weapons and fighters would come under the authority of a Palestinian state,” the official said.
