Hamas pledges to pacify 'chaotic' Gaza Strip

The Palestinian interior minister, Said Siyam of Hamas, pledged that the new government will pacify the chaotic Gaza Strip after a weekend of deadly violence between rival groups, but he appealed for patience.

Siyam indicated yesterday that it might take as long as a year to bring the Gaza chaos under control, admitting that the people have been relying on their families for protection because of the perceived ineffectiveness of Palestinian security forces.