Jerusalem, 20 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Palestinian Authority (PA) security officers have undergone military training in China, including armored warfare, advanced navigation, and maritime operations, according to an investigation published Tuesday in Israel. The report cites PA records and officers’ social-media posts documenting their participation in Chinese military courses.
One officer, Hassan Taha, announced in July 2026 that he had completed a course at a Chinese military academy in Beijing focused on commanding companies of armored and mechanized vehicles. Photographs showed him alongside a Chinese officer and the PA’s military attaché in China.
The report says military training cooperation expanded after 2022, with courses reportedly covering sniping, armor, anti-tank warfare, and command. Senior Israeli ministers said they had not been briefed on the training. The Israel Defense Forces provided a general response, while the Shin Bet and Prime Minister’s Office had not responded.
