On April 23, 2005, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas retired over 1,000 security and police officers. The old guard of Yasser Arafat (Intel Report) was ushered out of power, and a new beginning was ushered in. Abbas recognized that he would never be able to control the Palestinian security apparatus if he did not have control over its leadership. So, on April 23, the leadership of over a dozen security organizations was reorganized.

Brig. General Suleiman Hellis was named Commander of the National Security Forces, replacing Moussa Arafat . Moussa, the corrupt cousin of Yasser, has long been a barrier to peace and stability in the region. In turn, Moussa was awarded the Medal of Jerusalem and named as a special adviser on Military Affairs to President Abbas. According to a TRC source, this is a face-saving appointment and does not come with any real duties.