PLO panel calls for dispatch of 3,000 policemen to Gaza

By Jad al-Nabhan

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has called for the dispatch of 3,000 policemen from the West Bank to the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, a senior PLO leader has told Anadolu Agency.

"The move is aimed at establishing control over Gaza’s [Hamas-run] police stations," Wasil Abu Yousef, a senior member of the PLO's authoritative Executive Committee, said Monday.

Late last year, Gaza-based Hamas and the West Bank-based Fatah movement (which leads the PLO) signed a landmark reconciliation deal in Cairo aimed at ending a decade of bitter political division.

The agreement called for several confidence-building measures, including the dispatch of 3,000 policemen from the Ramallah-based Palestinian government to Gaza.

The measures, however, have yet to be implemented, due primarily to deep-seated differences between the rival factions over administrative and security-related issues.

Following a meeting in Ramallah last month, the PLO Executive Committee drew up a special panel tasked with -- among other things -- following up on the stalled reconciliation process.

The panel’s recommendations are now expected to be presented at a meeting of the Executive Committee slated for next week.

It remains unclear, however, whether the Executive Committee -- led by Palestinian President (and Fatah Chairman) Mahmoud Abbas -- will implement the panel’s recommendations.

Hamas, for its part, which remains in de facto control of the blockaded Gaza Strip, has yet to officially comment on the recommendations.