By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

US and Israeli officials are reportedly pressuring the Palestinian Authority to restructure security forces and dismantle elite units.

Key Takeaways

• US and Israeli officials have reportedly demanded that the PA reduce the militarized profile of its security forces.
• The demands reportedly include dismantling or restructuring elite National Security units, including Force 101.
• The pressure comes amid broader discussions on the PA’s future role in Gaza and the West Bank.

US-Israeli Pressure

The United States and Israel have presented a series of conditions to the Palestinian Authority (PA), including demands related to the restructuring of Palestinian security forces and the dismantling of elite units within the National Security apparatus, according to Palestinian political and security sources cited by Quds News Network.

The reported demands form part of broader discussions between Washington and the Palestinian leadership concerning future relations with US, educational policies, the distribution of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by Israel, and the PA’s future political role.

According to the sources, the latest conditions go beyond previous demands and focus directly on the internal structure of the Palestinian security establishment.

Focus on Force 101

Sources told Quds News that the United States, acting on Israeli recommendations, has called for reducing what it described as the “militarized appearance” of Palestinian security forces.

The demands reportedly include ending the activities of special units and battalions affiliated with the Palestinian National Security Forces, particularly Force 101.

According to the sources, Israeli officials view these formations as representing the closest equivalent to a Palestinian military force and argue that some units possess advanced training and capabilities exceeding the limitations envisioned under the Oslo framework.

The National Security Forces currently consist of nine battalions deployed across the occupied West Bank. Force 101 was added to the structure after 2010 and has become one of the most prominent units within the organization.

The unit previously received recognition in training exercises focused on counterterrorism and hostage-rescue operations.

Israeli Complaints

According to the report, Israeli officials have intensified pressure on the PA by highlighting attacks allegedly carried out by members of Palestinian security forces since October 7, 2023.

The sources pointed specifically to operations carried out by Mohammed Abed and Malek Salem near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in July 2025, as well as an attack carried out by Mohannad Al-Asoud in September 2024 that reportedly killed three Israeli occupation personnel.

The PA has publicly characterized such incidents as individual actions and has condemned them.

Nevertheless, the sources said Israeli officials have used the incidents to argue for further restructuring of Palestinian security institutions.

US-Trained Security Doctrine

According to the sources, Palestinian officials responded by emphasizing that the National Security Forces were trained according to the security doctrine developed under former US security coordinator Keith Dayton.

Dayton played a central role in rebuilding and restructuring Palestinian security forces between 2005 and 2010 with substantial American support and oversight.

The sources said Palestinian officials suggested that battalions could potentially be merged or renamed rather than dismantled outright.

According to the report, approximately 8,000 personnel serve within the National Security Forces and have undergone standardized training programs, primarily in Jericho and Jordan.

Contacts Resume

The report also revealed that communication channels between the US administration and the Palestinian leadership resumed approximately four months ago.

According to the sources, the contacts began shortly after the establishment of the so-called “Peace Council” and focused largely on efforts to connect the PA to the council’s future role in Gaza.

Washington is reportedly seeking to expand that role to include the occupied West Bank.

One source said the Palestinian Authority does not oppose cooperation with the council but is seeking a parallel role rather than operating under its authority.

“The Authority cannot reject the role of the Peace Council, but it does not want to be subordinate to it,” the source said.

Force 101 Moved to Jericho

According to the sources, recent steps have already been taken to reduce the visibility of Force 101.

The report states that the unit’s operations center was recently relocated from Ramallah to Jericho as part of efforts to reduce its public profile and limit special operations activities.

Sources said it remains unclear whether the PA will ultimately agree to dismantle the unit.

However, they indicated that continued pressure could lead to Force 101 being merged into another active formation, such as the Ninth Division, while operating under a different name.

Such a move could be presented as part of broader reforms introduced under Major General Al-Abd Ibrahim Khalil, who assumed command of the National Security Forces after succeeding Nidal Abu Dukhan.

Presidential Authority

The Palestinian National Security Forces operate directly under the authority of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who serves as commander-in-chief of the Palestinian security establishment.

Under Palestinian law, the force is classified as a regular military organization responsible for maintaining security, supporting other security agencies, preserving public order, and securing entrances to cities located in Area A of the occupied West Bank.

According to one source cited by Quds News, these responsibilities are among the few functions within the Palestinian security apparatus that potentially conflict with Israel’s broader objective of maintaining control over the occupied West Bank.

The source nevertheless stressed that there are currently no indications of any potential military confrontation between the National Security Forces and Israeli occupation forces.

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(Quds News Network)