| Palestinian police officer Said Abu Pasha (r) and Israeli commander of Tulkarem area Col. Tamir Hayman |
A Palestinian Interior Ministry spokesman says the new recruits are to prevent attacks on Israel following the pullout and the looting of any property Israel might leave behind.
Officials say the recruits will undergo 45 days of training, but they will not be armed because the Palestinian security forces in Gaza are short on weapons.
Israel is scheduled to begin dismantling Gaza settlements and military facilities in mid-August.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.