Skip to main content

Gaza to see forced military retirement in June

The Palestinian Authority will begin forcing about half of its military staff in the Gaza Strip to retire in a move it hopes will ease its financial crisis and put pressure on Hamas, despite fears that the move is likely to make both situations worse.
Members of Palestinian National Security Forces loyal to Hamas take part in a military graduation ceremony, in Gaza City January 22, 2017. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RTSWSKS
Read in 

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.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.