Hamas Seeks Gaza Police Integration

Hamas is seeking to integrate its 10,000 police officers and 40,000 civil servants into the new US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, a demand strongly opposed by Israel. This comes as Hamas debates surrendering its arms as part of an October ceasefire deal brokered by Donald Trump. The agreement ties further Israeli troop withdrawals to Hamas giving up its weapons. The United States, through its 'Board of Peace' initiative, aims for a technocratic body to govern Gaza, explicitly excluding 'foreign terrorist organizations' like Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and disarming Hamas. Mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, are exploring disarmament mechanisms, while Hamas expresses readiness for a long-term ceasefire and believes disarmament should occur under the authority of a Palestine.