Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yousef has asked the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) to join a national committee to observe an expected Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, sources close to Yousef said Monday.

Yousef made the appeal in a meeting with leaders of the movement two days ago to ensure its commitment to a ceasefire with Israel, the sources said.

According to the sources, Yousef warned during the meeting that violating the truce could oblige the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to carry out serious measures against those who violate it.

Yousef also accused the Israeli government of fanning chaos and security deterioration by taking measures in the Palestinian territories.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdallah al-Shami, a senior Islamic Jihad official in Gaza, said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wants the PNA to act as a security guard for Israel.

He said that his movement would never keep staying with hand cuffed toward "the Zionist enemy's violation and threats to assassinate the movement's leaders."

Israel has been targeting the movement's leaders and members, and at least 300 Islamic Jihad members have been arrested in the last two weeks in the West Bank.

Source: Xinhua