GAZA CITY [MENL] -- The ruling Palestinian movement has launched recruitment of a volunteer force to maintain order in the Gaza Strip.

The Fatah movement announced plans for a so-called "Popular Army" to impose order in wake of the expected Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in mid-August. Fatah officials said the army would be composed of 1,500 volunteers.

The volunteer force was ordered by Fatah chief Farouk Khaddoumy, who succeeded the late Yasser Arafat in late 2004. Officials said Khaddoumy has sought to ensure that Fatah cooperates with the Palestinian Authority to prevent a Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip.

Fatah announced the force as Israel prepared to embark on its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities plan to sever basic services to Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip over the next week. By the weekend, the military was expected to begin a siege of these settlements to prevent residents from hampering the evacuation.