Special report: Internal situation in Palestine 

    GAZA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) - Spokesman of the deposed government of Hamas movement in Gaza said Thursday that his government decided to merge the controversial executive force into the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Police forces.

    Taher al-Nono told reporters that the caretaker government decided to merge the executive force of the interior ministry into the PNA Police force in order to carry out its duties and restore internal security.

    "After Hamas movement took control of the Gaza Strip in mid-June, President Mahmoud Abbas sacked the national unity government headed by Prime Minister Ismail Haneya, and formed a caretaker government headed by Salam Fayyad.

    On Monday, the Hamas government made the decision during the weekly cabinet meeting held in Gaza, according to the spokesman.

    However, Abbas considers the Hamas government in Gaza illegal, and consequently all its decisions are not recognized.

    Former minister of interior in Hamas-led government Said Siam formed the executive force in early May last year. Bloody clashes erupted between the force and Hamas rival Fatah movement ended with Hamas control of Gaza.

    "A Naval force and an interior security apparatus have been already formed. The naval force would restore Gaza beaches security and the interior security force would restore security of citizens. It will include civil defense," said al-Nono.

    In addition, commander of the executive force, Jamal al-Jarrah, better known as Abu Obeida ruled out the possibility of merging his force in the police force.

    "The future of the executive force would be decided when apolitical reconciliation is reached between Fatah and Hamas, mainly when they agree on restructuring all police and security apparatuses," said al-Jarrah.

    In the meantime, senior Fatah leader in Gaza Ahmed Helles, Abu Maher said that Hamas movement and its executive security forces "were the major reason for the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."