GAZA, June 18 (UPI) -- Hamas in Gaza has deployed a 600 member military force to prevent rocket attacks on Israel, an Arab source told The Times of Israel.
Hamas formed a special force to "safeguard public order" and operates along the border with Israel, the source told the Israeli website.
Recent months have seen a dramatic decline in the number of rockets fired at Israel compared to a similar period last year, Israeli security sources told the website. Since the end of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza -- Operation Pillar of Defense in November last year -- approximately 20 rockets were fired at Israel compared to 150 rockets fired during a similar period a year ago, the website said.
In recent days, a delegation of senior Hamas officials permitted to visit Egypt, are currently holding consultations in Cairo with Egyptian government officials, the site said.
Since Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi was elected, the Egyptian government has been pressuring Hamas to act against rocket attacks on Israel and work toward maintaining the peace in Gaza, the site said.
