GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Palestinian Authority (PA) is set to enact in June a controversial law that will force about half of Gaza's security personnel to retire, while leaving the West Bank's force intact. Officials in the security services have started contacting staff members to inform them of the change.
Some economic experts say the austerity measures — in part meant to solve the struggling PA's financial crisis — remain unviable in light of a weak economy that relies on donors and tax funds, without creating new development projects. Such measures merely reflect a political dispute rather than addressing the economic problem, they say.