Qatar – which is known for supporting Hamas, financing its military activity and sheltering its leaders, and for extending media support to Hamas by means of its Al-Jazeera channel – also trained, in its Police College in Al-Rayyan,[1] officers from Hamas' Interior and National Security Ministry, which is part of Hamas' governing authorities in the Gaza Strip. Hamas officers were routinely sent to train at this college, which recently produced its sixth class of graduates, and were received with great honor upon their return to the Gaza Strip.
Hamas Political Bureau head Isma'il Haniya, who resides in Qatar, often met with these officers, lavished praise upon them and awarded them certificates of appreciation. He said that the Qatar police college played "a significant role" in strengthening the Gaza police, and thanked Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Aal Thani for his efforts on behalf of Palestine in international forums. The graduates, for their part, declared their readiness to serve the homeland and the Arab nation as a whole.
Hamas' Interior Ministry followed the cadets' progress and reported in detail on their achievements and on the honors lavished upon them by Haniya. The ministry also sent a letter to the Qatari Interior Ministry thanking it for its ongoing efforts to reserve places at the Police College for Palestinian trainees "in a bid to reinforce and strengthen the training and development of the [Gaza Interior Ministry] personnel." The ministry spokesman thanked Qatar for helping the ministry "to develop its personnel and give them unique skills and expertise."
It should be mentioned that the Qatar Police College trains cadets from across the Arab world. Palestinian cadets – whether sent by the Palestinian Authority (PA) apparatuses or by the Hamas Interior Ministry – are presented by the college as coming from "Palestine," or "the State of Palestine."
Honors graduate Ahmad Nasrallah from the "State of Palestine," an officer in Hamas' security apparatuses in Gaza, salutes the Qatari Emir at the graduation ceremony of the Police College's fifth class of graduates (T.me/moigovps, February 2, 2023)
This report reviews examples of Hamas operatives who trained at the Qatar police college in the last few years.
Hamas Interior Ministry Officer Ahmad Nasrallah – An Honors Graduate In College's Fifth Graduating Class
In February 2023 the Hamas Interior Ministry website reported that Ahmad Jamil Nasrallah from Gaza had graduated with honors from the Qatar Police College and was congratulated by the Emir of Qatar himself. The report stated: "Cadet Ahmad Jamil Nasrallah from the Gaza Strip, who was sent to the Qatar Police College by the Interior and National Security Ministry, received the highest grade among the cadets sent to the college by Arab countries. This morning [February 2, 2023], the Honorable Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Aal Thani honored Cadet Nasrallah at the graduation ceremony of the Qatar Police College's fifth graduating class. Born in the Gaza Strip in 1999, Cadet Nasrallah was sent to attend the Qatar Police College by the Gazan Interior and National Security Ministry in October 2018, and spent four years [there], acquiring a BA in Law and Police Studies." The report went on to say that the Interior Ministry sends several students of the Ribat University College (which trains members of Hamas' security apparatuses) every year to acquire such a degree at the Qatar Police College, and added: "The [Hamas] Interior and National Security Ministry sent a letter to the Qatari Interior Ministry thanking it for its ongoing and laudable efforts to reserve places for [Gazan] Palestinian cadets and trainees at the Qatari Police College out of a desire to reinforce and strengthen the training and development of the [Ministry] personnel."[2]
Honors graduate Ahmad Nasrallah shakes hands with the Qatari Emir (T.me/moigovps, February 2, 2023)
Honors graduate Ahmad Nasrallah from "the State of Palestine"(T.me/moigovps, February 2, 2023)
Hamas Political Bureau Head Honors Officer Nasrallah: "He Serves As An Ambassador For Palestine And Gaza"
Several days later, Nasrallah was awarded a certificate of appreciation by Hamas leader Isma'il Haniya. The Hamas website reported on February 7, 2023: "Today… brother Isma'il Haniya, the head of Hamas' political bureau, honored Officer Ahmad Nasrallah from the Gaza Strip, who had been sent by the Interior and National Security Ministry to [attend] the Qatar Police College, for achieving the highest grade among the cadets sent to the college by Arab countries. The head of the movement [Haniya] welcomed this great achievement for Gaza and Palestine, and said that the graduate Nasrallah serves as an ambassador for Palestine and Gaza in light of the pride he brings to our Palestinian people. He expressed hope that Nasrallah's colleagues would follow his example and make further achievements and progress. Graduate Nasrallah expressed his appreciation for the honor bestowed on him by the head of the political bureau, and said that, with Allah's help, he was ready to serve his homeland and the entire Arab nation…"[3]
Ahmad Nasrallah salutes Hamas Political Bureau Head Isma'il Haniya (Palinfo.com, February 7, 2023)
Undersecretary Of Hamas' Interior Ministry In Meeting With Ahmad Nasrallah: You Are A Source Of Pride For Our People
After returning to Gaza several weeks later, Officer Ahmad Nasrallah was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Undersecretary of the Interior and National Security Ministry, General Nasser Maslah. The Ribat University College, which trains the members of Hamas' security apparatuses, reported on March 13: "Today… General Nasser Maslah honored Officer Ahmad Jamil Nasrallah, who received the highest grade among [the cadets] sent to the Qatar Police College, in a meeting he held with him in his office in Gaza City… General Maslah said: 'Our cadets who are sent to the Qatar Police College, who exalt the name of Palestine and achieve excellence and success, are [a source of] pride for our people and for the Interior Ministry.' The Undersecretary encouraged Officer Nasrallah to continue investing effort and giving [good service] in his professional career, and added: 'You are just beginning [your career] and carry a heavy responsibility. We hope that you will translate your excellent academic record into [excellent performance] in the field'… Officer Nasrallah, [for his part], thanked the Interior Ministry's leadership and public relations and media [department] for this honor, and stressed that he would be responsible and loyal, as befits the trust that has been placed in him…"[4]
Officer Nasrallah salutes the Undersecretary of Hamas' Interior Ministry, General Nasser Maslah (ruc.edu.ps, March 13, 2023)
Officer Nasrallah receives a certificate of appreciation from the Undersecretary of Hamas' Interior Ministry General Nasser Maslah (ruc.edu.ps, March 13, 2023)
Muhammad Abu Rizq, An Honors Graduate Of The Police College's Fourth Class
Another cadet sent by Hamas’ Interior Ministry to the Qatar Police College was Muhammad Abu Rizq, who completed his studies in 2022 with the academy's fourth graduating class. The website of the Hamas Interior Ministry reported proudly on January 20, 2022: "Cadet Muhammad Ahmad Muhammad Abu Rizq, from the Gaza Strip, who was sent to the Qatar Police College by the Interior and National Security Ministry, received the highest grade among the cadets sent to the college by Arab countries. Today… the Honorable Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Aal Thani honored cadet Abu Rizq at the graduation ceremony of the Qatar Police College's fourth graduating class… Cadet Abu Rizq was sent to attend the Qatar Police College by the [Hamas] Interior Ministry in August 2017 and spent four years [there], acquiring a BA in Law and Police Studies…"[5]
Muhammad Abu Rizq, honors graduate of the Qatar Police College and an officer of the Hamas Interior Ministry (Facebook.com/moigovps, January 20, 2022)
Hamas Interior Ministry Spokesman On Abu Rizq's Achievement: "Qatar Enables The Gaza Interior Ministry To Develop Its Personnel And Give Them Unique Skills And Expertise"
Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Iyad Al-Buzom tweeted that day: "We congratulate the cadet Muhammad Ahmad Abu Rizq, of the Gaza Interior Ministry, for achieving the highest grade among the cadets sent to the Qatar Police College by the Arab countries, and for being honored by the Qatari Emir… We thank the Qatari Interior Ministry for giving our cadets the opportunity to attend the Qatar Police College, which helps the Gaza Interior Ministry develop its personnel and give them unique skills and expertise."[6]
Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Iyad Al-Buzom's tweet
Hamas Political Bureau Head Honors Officer Abu Rizq: You Make Our People Proud
Like Ahmad Nasrallah, Muhammad Abu Rizq too was summoned by Hamas' leader, Isma'il Haniya, to receive a certificate of honor. The movement's website reported on January 15, 2022: "Hamas Political Bureau Head Isma'il Haniya honored Officer Muhammad Ahmad Muhammad Abu Rizq, from the Gaza Strip, who was sent by the Interior and National Security Ministry to attend the Qatar Police College, for achieving the highest grade among the cadets sent to the college by Arab countries. The head of the movement awarded Officer Abu Rizq a certificate of appreciation in a ceremony attended by his family and fellow cadets, greeted those present and welcomed this great achievement for Gaza and Palestine. He said that the graduate Abu Rizq serves as an ambassador of Palestine and Gaza in light of the pride he brings to our Palestinian people. He expressed hope that Abu Riz's colleagues will follow his example and make further achievements and progress. Graduate Abu Rizq expressed his appreciation for the honor bestowed on him by the head of the political bureau, and called on his colleagues to follow his example…"[7]
Muhammad Abu Rizq, in Hamas Interior Ministry uniform, salutes Hamas leader Isma'il Haniya (Palsawa.com, January 25, 2022)
Muhammad Abu Rizq kisses Haniya's head (Palsawa.com, January 25, 2022)
Haniya presents Abu Rizq with a certificate of appreciation (Palsawa.com, January 25, 2022)
Officer Abu Rizq Returns To Gaza
In July 2022 it was reported that Abu Rizq had returned to Gaza and had been welcomed with great honor at the Rafah border crossing.[8]
Officer Muhammad Abu Rizq received with honor at Rafah border crossing (Tiktok.com/@hanialshaer, July 6, 2022.)
Hamas Leader Isma'il Haniya In Meeting With Gazan Cadets At Qatar Police College: I thank The Qatari Emir For His Efforts And For Supporting Palestine In International Forums
In 2021, too, Haniya met with a group of Gazan cadets attending the Qatar Police College and thanked Qatar for training them. According to the Hamas mouthpiece Al-Risalah, Haniya hailed the cadets' "excellent performance" and "warmly thanked His Excellency, the Honorable Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Aal Thani, the Emir of the sister-country Qatar, as well as his government and the honorable and generous Qatari people, for [the efforts they] invest in serving our [Palestinian] homeland, our people and the Palestinian cause in international forums." The report added that, at the end of the meeting, Haniya congratulated Officer Husam Abu Shamala, a graduate of the college, on completing his studies there.[9]
Haniya meets with Gazan cadets attending the Qatar Police College (Alresalah.ws, February 10, 2021)
Officer Husam Abu Shamala Returns From Qatar To Khan Younis
In February 2021 it was reported that Husam Fathi Abu Shamala had returned to Khan Younis after spending five years in Qatar and attending the Police College.[10]
Post about Abu Shamala's return to the Gaza Strip (Facebook.com/108753233838197, February 15, 2021)
Isma'il Haniya: Qatar Plays Large Role In Strengthening Gaza Police
Another meeting between Haniya and Gazan cadets of the Qatar Police College took place in June 2020. Hamas' website reported on June 11: "Today… Isma'il Haniya, head of the political bureau of the Islamic resistance movement Hamas, met with Gazan cadets who have been sent to study at the Qatar Police College. The head of the movement congratulated the cadets for excelling [in their studies]… and stressed the great role played by the police college of the sister-country Qatar in strengthening the domains of law and policing in the besieged [Gaza] Strip. Haniya thanked Qatar for its ongoing concern and for the extensive aid it extends to our Palestinian people in every domain, based on foundations that were laid by the father of the [present] Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa, and were strengthened by His Excellency, the Honorable Emir Tamim [bin Hamad]…"[11]
Haniya in meeting with Gazan cadets of the Qatar Police College (Feesteen.news, June 11, 2020)
[1] Qatar's Police College was founded in 2013 and joined the International Association of Police Academies (INTERPA) in 2016. Interpa.org; Aljazeera.net, January 17, 2019.
[2] Moi.gov.ps, February 2, 2023.
[3] Hamas.ps, February 7, 2023.
[4] Ruc.edu.ps, March 13, 2023.
[5] Moi.gov.ps. January 20, 2022.
[6] Twitter.com/bozum, January 20, 2022.
[7] Hamas.ps, January 25, 2022.
[8] Tiktok.com/@hanialshaer, July 6, 2022.
[9] Alresalah.ws, February 10, 2021.
[10] Facebook.com/108753233838197, February 15, 2021.
[11] Hamas.ps, June 11, 2020.
