US Pushes Plan to Use Crime Gangs in Gaza Police Force

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a remarkable and controversial development in international policy, senior US officials have quietly advanced a proposal to recruit organised crime and drug‑dealing gangs to join and form the backbone of a new police force in the Gaza Strip, according to internal diplomatic sources. The revelation has shocked diplomatic, human rights and Middle East policy circles, raising urgent questions about the future of law enforcement and governance in the post‑conflict enclave.

The proposal, which is being circulated among senior State Department and White House officials, advocates incorporating elements of Gaza’s existing network of armed gangs — some of which were previously viewed as security threats and criminal enterprises — into a formalised police force tasked with maintaining civil order and policing duties across the territory. At its core, the idea would redirect the energies of these gangs away from illicit activities and into sanctioned law enforcement roles, with training, support and oversight from international partners led by the United States.

This initiative comes amid ongoing discussions in Washington and allied capitals on stabilising Gaza following months of intense conflict, a fragile ceasefire, and persistent lawlessness that has seen outbreaks of violence, looting, and criminality across the Strip. Since the end of major hostilities, Gazans have faced not only the devastation of war but also the breakdown of civil infrastructure and policing capacity, creating a vacuum of authority in many parts of the enclave.

The US proposal reflects both the recognised need for a functioning police presence in Gaza and the diplomatic frustration at the failure of existing governance structures to impose order. Traditional ideas — such as strengthening Hamas’ internal security forces or deploying foreign peacekeepers — have encountered resistance from regional actors and parts of the international community wary of legitimising any one faction’s control. Against this backdrop, the use of organised crime groups as the foundation of a new police service represents a dramatic shift in thinking.

Senior US diplomats argue that some of these criminal networks already possess local influence and an understanding of the territory that conventional policing units lack. By offering pathways into legitimate employment and authority, proponents of the plan contend that loyal ex‑gang members could be reoriented toward stabilising communities rather than exploiting them. The initiative, they insist, would also come with oversight mechanisms, accountability training, and direct support from international advisors.

However, the concept has alarmed many observers who warn that it could blur the lines between law enforcement and criminality, potentially empowering the very actors who have contributed to Gaza’s insecurity. Critics also point out that gangs in Gaza are not monolithic; they include groups with competing loyalties, diverse motivations, and deep roots in wartime networks that have thrived in the absence of strong civil authority.

Gaza’s security vacuum emerged starkly after the collapse of formal governance structures during and after the war that erupted in October 2023. In the chaos, armed groups — ranging from local crime families to rival militias — seized control of neighbourhoods, looted humanitarian aid, and extorted civilians, undermining efforts to rebuild social order. According to analysts, some of these groups later tried to rebrand themselves as stabilising forces, offering protection and local enforcement in exchange for community loyalty or economic control.

In response, the Ministry of Interior in Gaza announced several programmes aimed at demobilising non‑violent gang members and encouraging them to surrender their weapons in exchange for reintegration into official structures, including employment in security roles. Yet authorities acknowledged that this approach has had mixed results, particularly where gangs have continued to operate with significant autonomy.

The US proposal, as described by insiders, would institutionalise such reintegration efforts on an unprecedented scale. Plans reportedly include the creation of a formal police academy, stipends and contracts for former gang members, structured chains of command, and joint training with international law enforcement experts. If approved, the initiative could see former gang leaders assuming roles as precinct commanders or community liaisons — an idea that has elicited both intrigue and concern.

Reactions from regional and international actors have been cautious and in many quarters deeply critical. Some human rights groups have condemned the proposal as potentially legitimising criminality and entrenching violence under the guise of law enforcement. They warn that without robust safeguards, the policy could perpetuate cycles of abuse, corruption, and exploitation that Gaza’s civilian population has endured for years. Moreover, critics contend that peace and stability must be built on rule of law principles and community trust, not the incorporation of armed criminal elements into the official apparatus of policing.

Others in diplomatic circles have expressed concern that the initiative could complicate relationships with key Palestinian factions, particularly those already hesitant to engage with US‑led stabilisation efforts. Hamas and other established players in Gaza’s political landscape might view the formal empowerment of gangs as a direct challenge to their authority and legitimacy.

Meanwhile, international organisations focusing on post‑conflict recovery have urged a cautious approach that focuses on community policing, reconstruction of civil institutions, and support for locally trusted law enforcement entities — rather than an experimental gambit involving groups with histories of violence.

As the United States pushes forward with diplomatic consultations on the proposal, the coming weeks are likely to see spirited debate among policy makers in Washington, allied capitals, and international forums, including the United Nations. Proponents argue that unconventional times call for unconventional solutions, especially in a context as fractured and fragile as the Gaza Strip. Detractors warn that desperation must not justify measures that could further destabilise an already vulnerable population.

Ultimately, the future of Gaza’s police force — and whether it will be built around former gang networks, traditional law enforcement models, or some hybrid formation — remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the urgency of restoring security, rule of law, and public trust in the territory has reached a critical point, forcing policy makers to examine options that would have been unthinkable only a short time ago.