The Palestinian National Security Forces are the paramilitary forces of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Since the signing of the Oslo Accords, these forces operate in select areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.[1]
The Director General of the Palestinian National Security Forces is Major General Nasser Yousef. The total strength of these forces is estimated at 29,000, broken down as follows:
- Public Security Force - 14,000 (6,000 in Gaza; 8,000 in the West Bank)
- Civil Police Force - 10,000 (4,000 in Gaza; 6,000 in the West Bank)
- Preventive Security Force - 3,000 (1,200 in Gaza; 1,800 in the West Bank)
- General Intelligence Force - 3,000
- Military Intelligence Force - 500
- Presidential Security Force - 500
There are also small forces belonging to Coastal Police, Civil Defence, Air Force, Customs and Excise Police Force and the University Security Service.[1]
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Background
As part of the Oslo Accords, the PNA was authorized to recruit and train a police force with paramilitary capabilities, but was not permitted to have a military force. Several bilateral agreements between the PNA and Israel regulate the size of the force, its structure, armament, and composition. The agreements provide Israel with the right to review potential recruits and withhold approval of those with a terrorist background. In practice, the PNA has not followed these agreements and Israel has not enforced them, with the result that the actual size and equipment of the force exceeds what was permitted under the agreements. [2]
References
- ^ a b Eur, 2004, p. 935.
- ^ Palestine: The recruitment practices of the Palestinian National Forces
Bibliography
- The Middle East and North Africa 2004 (50th, illustrated ed.), Routledge, 2004, ISBN 1857431847, 9781857431841
External links
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