Hamas has sent a new 'police' force to patrol the Gaza Strip despite the fact that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas rejected the creation of the new group.
The move is seen as a major challenge to Abbas' authority and tensions between Fatah and Hamas are almost certain to rise as a result of the move.
Just last week, gunfights between Fatah gunmen and Hamas militants resulted in the death of a three guerillas and the injuring at least 12 armed men and bystanders.
Interior Minster Saeed Seyam of Hamas declared the new 'security' force necessary after the killing of two Hamas militants by armed men in the Gaza Strip over the past two days. Seyam said the new militia was necessary to end the 'state of chaos and anarchy and increasing assaults on our people'.
The members of the new force wore military-style uniforms and many had headbands with the word 'Qassam' written on them. Qassam is the name Hamas gives to its armed militants.
One of the first areas the new group patrolled was the Nusseirat refugee camp which is known to be a Hamas stronghold. Approximately 30 members of the new group were seen in that area on Wednesday.
The new group also ejected a group of students from the Education Ministry offices in the town of Khan Younis, where they were protesting against exam fees.
Tawfiq Abu Khoussa, a Fatah spokesman, called on Seyam to 'retract a hasty decision that may lead our people to catastrophe.'
Fatah has had difficulty maintaining law and order in the Gaza Strip since the unilateral withdrawal of Israeli troops late last summer.
Because security forces are vital for control of the streets, tensions between Fatah and Hamas over this issue are almost certain to rise in the coming weeks.
