Palestinian police deploy in Gaza in show of force

Thousands of Palestinian police began deploying in Gaza City late Wednesday, the first phase of a security plan approved by the Cabinet, a Palestinian official said. About 3,000 police were fanning out across the city, said Nabil Shaath, an aide to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Details of the plan were vague. The first duties of the police would be to direct traffic and fight crime, officials said. The overall goal is to put an end to the chaos and violent infighting that has plagued Gaza, officials said. Abbas, of Fatah, ordered implementation of the plan after a series of meetings with PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas.