Special report: Internal situation in Palestine     

    GAZA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Hamas is working towards establishing a new security intelligence force in the Gaza Strip, a report published on Tuesday by the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Arabic language newspaper said.

    The new intelligence branch, which will be responsible for relaying information among different security forces in the Gaza Strip, is expected to be operated within a few weeks, said the report.

    Meanwhile, a Hamas source based in Gaza, who spoke in condition of anonymity, revealed that the movement "is recruiting thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to operate its new security forces."

    The new security forces will contain Hamas' military recruits and members of other affiliated organizations. The source stressed that the new security forces would operate separately from Hamas' military wing.

    Hamas' security force is solely controlling the Gaza Strip after Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip on June 14 following bloody fighting with Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas.

    Hamas security force in Gaza, better known as the executive force, is now responsible for keeping order in the streets, fighting crime, cracking down on drug dealers and collaborators, and even directing traffic.