United we stand!

I first heard this being announced over loudspeaker in Gaza City by members of Hamas, and Rafahpundit confirmed it. Six Palestinian factions (specifically, their military wings) have come together to form a "Special Joint Force" to steal from the rich and give to the poor ala Robin Hood...no I'm kidding (but close).

The SJF "will act totally independently from the official PA Security Forces" to preserve law and order and to protect Palestinian civilians given ever increasing security lapse in Gaza. i.e. to do what the PA hasn't.

The Ministry of the Interior spokesperson Tawfiq Abo Khosa dismissed the idea, saying that "nobody whatsoever is entitled to take the law into his own hands by claiming that the Palestinian Authority is not doing its job. There are many obstacles and those militant groups are one of these obstacles."

Militant groups? How about one GROUP singular Mr. Abo Khosa, your very own Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

Interesting to see how this one will work out, given they are all are heavily armed. On the other hand, it may just work if there is some kind of balance of power. Guess who was missing from the lineup?

Check out the full translated declaration.