The Palestinian National Security Forces, also referred to as the presidential guard (Arabic: اجهزة امن السلطة الفلسطينية) are the paramilitary forces of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Since the signing of the Oslo Accords, these forces operate in select areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian National Security Forces engages in various activities which includes among others, maintaining the security and protection of the Palestinian President and Palestinian Leadership.
The Director General of the Palestinian National Security Forces is Major General Nasser Yousef. The total strength of these forces is estimated at 76,500, broken down as follows:
- Public Security Force - 15,000
- Palestinian Civil Police Force - 11,000
- Preventive Security Force - 4,000
- General Intelligence - 5,000
- Military Intelligence, Navy Police, Force 17 - 30,000
- Presidential Security Force - 5,000
- Operations Force - 5,000
- Other forces - 1,500
There are also small forces belonging to Coastal Police, Civil Defence, Air Force, Customs and Excise Police Force and the University Security Service.
The Palestinian Security Force is financed by the United States which, according to media estimates, pays an annual 3 million dollars for it.
Read more about Palestinian National Security Forces: History, See Also
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