Hamas has agreed to remove its private 'security force' from the streets of Gaza in an effort to lower friction between itself and the Fatah Party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
According to published reports, Hamas is not disbanding the 3,000 member group but will not deploy it in heavily populated areas in order to reduce tensions. The Hamas force was created despite being vetoed by Abbas.
Fatah officials have said they want the Hamas militia disbanded but that individual members of it can join the P.A.'s official police and security forces.
The move comes on the second day of negotiations between leaders of Hamas and Fatah as they try to avert a civil war. Fights between Hamas gunmen and P.A. security forces have caused several deaths over the past 10 days and many more have been injured.
Thus far, Hamas has not accepted Abbas' 'ultimatum' regarding acceptance of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Abbas said that if Hamas, which remains dedicated to Israel's destruction, does not accept the idea of a two-state solution within 10 days, he will put the issue to a referendum. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas is expected to meet with Abbas next week to discuss the proposal.
