Palestinian security forces on Monday toured demolished Israeli settlements in Gaza Strip, while the Palestinian Authority announced that Hamas had appointed officials to monitor the area. The tour took place despite the fact that the Palestinian Authority and Israel reached an agreement that the PA forces would conduct such a tour at a later date, Palestinian sources said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority Minister of Interior Nasser Yousef was to meet on Monday with leaders of Palestinian factions Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the Palestinian territories.
The parties were to meet in Gaza City in an attempt to improve the current situation which has dominated the Palestinian street since the outbreak of the Intifada.
The minister reportedly referred to the situation one of "arms and security chaos" which has "dominated Palestinian territories during the Intifada," he told reporters.
"The aim of such meetings," Yousef added, is to tell "the different classes in Palestinian society that there is one law and this law has to be respected." referring to the Palestinian Authority.
He stated that the Palestinian Authority "would never allow the presence of any armed group outside the frame of the Palestinian security establishment, adding that security forces of the Palestinian Authority would be solely responsible for maintaining security in the territories evacuated by Israel.
Yousef expressed optimism that Palestinian security forces would be able to carry out their role following the withdrawal of Israeli forces with as few obstacles as possible, and added that doing so would enable the Palestinian Authority to more easily pressure the Israeli government to fully implement the roadmap peace plan.
