Madison-Rafah Journal

Associated Press, January 19, 2005

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has about 30,000 security forces available to preserve calm. Here's a look at their strength and that of militant groups in Gaza.

Palestinian National Security: This umbrella agency includes the Palestinian border police, military intelligence, military police and the elite Force 17 presidential security unit. With about 15,000 members, it is the largest security force in Gaza. But its infrastructure has been decimated by Israeli airstrikes, leaving it with few weapons beyond pistols, rifles and M-16 assault rifles.

Palestinian Intelligence Services: The intelligence service has about 5,000 members in Gaza. It focuses on collecting information about collaborators with Israel and security for Palestinian diplomatic missions abroad, leaving it ill-equipped for domestic duties.

Interior Ministry: The ministry oversees Gaza's police force and preventive security agency. It has about 10,000 members and is meant to fight internal crime. The ministry's forces have been hit hard by Israeli attacks.

Militants: Five major militant factions operate in Gaza. These are the Islamic groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad; the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, which is loosely tied to Abbas' Fatah faction; the Popular Resistance Committees, a shadowy umbrella group; and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The size of the groups isunclear, but they are equipped with assault rifles, mortars, anti-tank missiles, homemade rockets and other explosives.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press