A move likely to further stoke political tension. The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared the new paramilitary wing of the ruling Hamas movement illegal. This after recent violence between Hamas forces and those loyal to Abbas’ Fatah faction. The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said: “Creating any force needs a decree and this decree has not been issued,” said Abbas. “Anyone who says this is an independent force is going against the law and constitution.”

The governing Hamas movement created its so-called “Executive Force” after coming to power early last year. “The Executive Force is part of the security apparatus, which comes under the Interior Ministry,” said Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. “It’s a legitimate force and it conducts its duties based on the orders from its headquarters and the Interior Ministry.” Violence has escalated since Abbas called for fresh elections to break a political deadlock with Hamas over security forces.

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