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.
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.
Until June, every member of the Palestinian security forces is entitled to optional early retirement, provided that he is at least 45 years old if he is an officer and at least 35 if a noncommissioned officer or staff member, with a monthly pension of at least 70% of his salary.
However, under the move being imposed by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, all military staff in Gaza born as of June 31, 1966, must retire, while those born after that date will have the option of voluntary retirement.
