Hamas’ Executive Force is targeting youth living in Bethlehem and the
surrounding villages for recruitment, according to Palestinian security
sources. These particular youth were once loyal to Fatah, but are now
disenchanted with the direction Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is
taking the movement.
The Executive Force, the equivalent to Abbas’ Presidential Guard, was created in May 2006 and now has over 5,600 members. It acts somewhat like a police force and is considered its own entity under the control of Hamas.
Bethlehem residents fear that the Hamas’s efforts will cause more violent clashes between party members. Only a few months ago did Hamas try to recruit a Bethlehem force and was violently rebuked by Fatah supporters.
Sourced from PNN
