Hamas security forces have rescued a lioness stolen and held for two years by a notorious crime family in the Gaza Strip.

The Abu Husseina crime family stole Sabrina the lioness from Gaza's zoo and charged people about a dollar for souvenir photographs with her.

She was returned to the zoo by security forces from the Islamist militant group, Hamas.

Sabrina's claws had been pulled out, the tip of her tail had been cut off and she was missing several teeth.

Hamas seized control of Gaza in a brutal campaign last month.

It has been raiding crime family strongholds in a bid to end lawlessness and shore up its grip on power.

Zoo staff say Sabrina has begun playing with her brother Sakher, who pined for her during her absence.