Hussein al-Sheik, a senior member of Fatah in the West Bank said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will announce a thorough reform plan and personnel changes for Palestinian security forces. Al-Sheik noted that the changes are meant to help battle the anarchy rampant throughout much of the PA, particularly in Gaza. According to the security official Abbas is determined to implement his decision to disperse the Hamas paramilitary militia in the Gaza Strip after declaring it illegal. In light of continued security chaos and assassinations that got to a number of our fighters ... And in light of the failure of existing agencies and security apparatuses in imposing law and order and protecting the security of the citizens, President Mahmoud Abbas decided to reshuffle the security forces and its leadership and to consider the (Hamas) executive force, officers and members, illegal and outside the law,” Abbas’ office said in a statement.
Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was quick to reject AbbasÂ’ call to dismantle his security force. A spokesman for the force, Islam Shahawan, said in response that the force will double its numbers to 12,000 fighters and urged citizens to join up.
Egypt, Jordan and the United States are trying to aid troops loyal to Abbas, shipping them guns and ammunition, Israel i officials were briefed in advance. Should efforts to form a unity government fall through and infighting between Hamas and Fatah picks up steam Abbas may official call for early elections in the Palestinian Authority, as he has already hinted he might resort to such measures in a speech last month.