GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Ministry of Interior in the Gaza Strip, under Hamas’ control, announced during a Dec. 22 event held on a Gaza beach the creation of special marine forces as an independent entity from the other security institutions.

The establishment of this new security body sends a challenge to Israel. Eight years ago, the first Israeli war on the Gaza Strip broke out with sudden air raids that targeted security institutions across Gaza and claimed the lives of more than 350 security officers, among them police Chief Toufic Jaber and Attorney General Ismail Jaber.

Maj. Gen. Toufic Abu Naim, the current head of Hamas' security apparatus, said during the event, “The marine force will work to ensure the security of the coast of the Gaza Strip, which extends over 39 kilometers [24 miles]. The force will be responsible for the security of the coastal region to protect it from smugglers and outlaws and organize the fishing activities.”

Interior Ministry spokesperson Iyad al-Bazm told Al-Monitor, “The marine force is an independent body tasked with developing the security measures along the Gaza coast and monitoring the shores to look out for smuggling operations and security breaches.”