Since the ceasefire in early October of last year, there have been attempts to restore normalcy to Gaza, including establishing security in areas not under Israeli military control, such as the central region and parts of the south and north. During the war, there were no functioning state or security systems throughout the Strip. From the moment the ceasefire came into force, police officers from Gaza’s government, which is run by Hamas, quickly began working to restore order among the citizens, who were complaining about high prices and numerous social problems, including acts of violence — some of which escalated to murder. These issues required police intervention.
But Israel has deemed the resumed operation of Gaza’s police to be unacceptable, and accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by providing internal security. Israeli attacks on police stations have increased significantly. Last week, an Israeli airstrike killed seven people, including police and civilians at the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, another police vehicle was targeted, killing four. This repeated targeting has instilled fear in citizens, deterring them from approaching or contacting police stations for fear of their lives.
Salem, 34, who works at a police station, says: “We returned to work after the ceasefire. It was difficult for us to move around during the war because any police unit among the civilians was directly targeted. Even more difficult during the war was witnessing the price hikes and the hoarding of goods by merchants and vendors, and our inability to take any action against them except in rare cases due to these targeted attacks. But after the ceasefire, we were able to restore order, albeit partially, in some areas. Many family disputes resulted in deaths on both sides, as did theft, embezzlement, fraud, drug use, and assaults. These cases should have been punished and addressed to maintain order in the areas. However, for about three months now, the Israeli army has been targeting police stations and any presence of police officers in any area. This also hinders our work, but we will continue until it becomes clear who will assume this responsibility during the negotiations.”
Israel deliberately instigates chaos in Gaza and makes life difficult due to the lack of security.
The Israeli side categorically rejects any Hamas presence in the administration of Gaza and demanded, during the negotiations, that all responsibilities be handed over to the new administration called the National Administration, which has not yet been able to enter Gaza and begin its work due to the stalled negotiations. In this period of limbo, the Israeli army is essentially trying to again change the “facts on the ground” by targeting Gaza’s institutions, including police stations, and making them inoperable.
Gaza’s citizenry bears the heaviest consequences of this deliberate strategy of state collapse.
Maram Ahmed, 28, from Khan Younis, says: “I was assaulted by a neighbor in a tented displacement camp. This assailant hit my ten-year-old daughter, and the problem escalated between him and my husband, leading to physical violence and fractures. I couldn’t find anyone to resolve the issue. The problem persisted for over a year until the ceasefire was declared. I went to the police station near Nasser Hospital, and they followed up with me. The presence of the police is crucial for maintaining order because chaos reigned in Gaza, making life impossible as the war continued. However, with the targeting of police stations, the situation became terrifying. I don’t think anyone can go to a police station knowing they could be targeted at any moment. Israel deliberately instigates chaos in Gaza and makes life difficult due to the lack of security.”
The ceasefire and reopening of police stations also meant a return to work for women officers. But they too have been targeted. A police station in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, which included female officers, was attacked, and several officers were killed in the attack.
During the war, we lived in difficult conditions due to the increasing problems among residents in the displaced persons camps. But since the war ended, the situation has changed. I’ve noticed a decrease in problems in the camp.
The Palestinian police in Gaza are taking some measures to avoid Israeli targeting, such as turning off officers’ phones, not interacting with social media, and not connecting to the internet to prevent the Israeli army from tracking and targeting them. But the frequency of these attacks has increased regardless. About two weeks ago, the Israeli army simultaneously targeted three police stations along Salah al-Din Street, which connects the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.
At Nasser Medical Complex, there is a female police force and a public relations office to address disputes among citizens and maintain security. Rawaa Ahmed, 31, from Khan Younis, says: “During the war, we lived in difficult conditions due to the increasing problems among residents in the displaced persons camps. But since the war ended, the situation has changed. I’ve noticed a decrease in problems in the camp. When I went to visit my sick friend at Nasser Medical Complex, I found an office there that followed up on problems, summoned people for punishment, and put them in jail. There were female police officers securing the hospital and ensuring that work ran smoothly.”
On January 31, Israeli warplanes unexpectedly bombed the Sheikh Radwan police station in western Gaza City. The station was operating normally until then, according to resident Raed Breik: “People used to go there to resolve problems and reclaim their rights, and the female police officers would work to resolve family disputes that required their intervention.” The bombing resulted in the deaths of approximately 15 people, including police officers of both genders and civilians who were in the detention center. The Palestinian police stated at the time that the Israeli army deliberately bombed the station because the police had arrested collaborators with the Israeli army, and the army wanted to eliminate them to prevent them from providing information about their cooperation.
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