Palestinian police in Gaza appear in uniform despite conflict with Israel

By Mustafa Haboush

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Palestinian police were seen patrolling several areas Thursday across the Gaza Strip despite an ongoing Israeli onslaught.

An Anadolu reporter said hundreds of police personnel were patrolling, including the Jabalia area in the north, Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah.

Witnesses told Anadolu that the deployment was to prevent chaos that may occur, especially under current Israeli army attacks and the bombing of Gaza areas.

The Anadolu reporter said police had not left Gaza areas since the start of the Israeli onslaught and were on duty to preserve security and prevent crimes or looting, but mainly did not wear uniforms due to Israeli attacks.

Mos'ab Abdelnabi, a member of the government emergency committee in Jabalia, told Anadolu that the presence of security and police personnel means the failure of the Israeli army to gain control over Gaza.

Since Israel initiated its military ground operation against Gaza on Oct. 27, it has faced heavy resistance from Palestinian fighters, and daily battles have been reported across Gaza.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7.

At least 18,787 Palestinians have since been killed and 50,897 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at nearly 1,200, while 135 hostages are still held by the Palestinian group in Gaza but not all are alive, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara