Militants on New Palestinian Security Wing.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The new Palestinian interior minister named a renowned militant as his top aide on Thursday and announced the formation of a new security branch to be composed of militants.

The moves were part of an ongoing power struggle between the new Hamas-led Cabinet and moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Interior Minister Said Siyam issued a decree appointing Jamal Abu Samhadana, the head of the Popular Resistance Committees, as director general of the Interior Ministry. Samhadana’s group is responsible for many of the homemade rockets launched at Israel in recent weeks.