Police teams walk tough beat for peace

Story Highlights

• Patrols hit streets to launch new government's security plan
• Effort aimed at infighting between rival Palestinian factions
• At least 300 have been killed in fighting between Hamas, Fatah loyalists
• Parties formed unity government in March

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GAZA CITY (CNN) -- Hundreds of Palestinian police patrolled on foot Wednesday to launch what the Palestinian Authority says is the first phase of its 100-day security plan for Gaza.

The plan is aimed at bringing an end to infighting between Hamas and Fatah militants that has plagued the region, claiming more than 300 lives in the past year.

At least 37 Palestinians were killed during a week of factional fighting in Gaza in late January and early February.

Hamas and Fatah security officers are patrolling together in teams and wearing the same uniform, Reuters reported. They are under the command of the Interior Ministry rather than either party, according to Reuters.

Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, won the Palestinian elections last year, ending decades of rule by the Fatah party, which includes Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas kept his post, but Hamas assumed control of the government and the prime ministership.

Since Hamas refused to recognize Israel and call for an end to terrorist attacks, the United States and the European Union cut off funding to the Palestinian government, although both continued to support Palestinians through nongovernmental organizations.

Last month, however, the United States sent nearly $60 million in aid directly to Abbas in an effort to bypass Hamas. (Full story)

The two parties agreed on a coalition government in March, hoping it would end violence in Gaza and open the door to increased aid.

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