New Gaza Force Unveiled Over Objections

A Hamas official has deployed a new security force in Gaza City over the objection of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas said security forces fall under his command and had threatened to veto a plan to create a Hamas-led force unveiled in April, The New York Times reported.

While Abbas was in Europe Wednesday, Said Siam, the Hamas Interior Minister, sent the new force to assist the police in Gaza City and on the main highway, the newspaper said.

There has been increasing violence in Gaza, attributed to infighting between Hamas and Fatah rivals.

The two sides have been in a political fight since Hamas’ surprising rout of the ruling Fatah Party in a January election.