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| By israelinsider staff June 7, 2007 |
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Though Israel has not officially responded to a request by top Fatah officials to allow them to receive a weapons transfer from Egypt and other Arab countries, Israel is considering giving authorization, the Jerusalem Post reported Thursday.
According to Haaretz, the request includes, "dozens of armored cars, hundreds of armor-piercing RPG rockets, thousands of hand grenades and millions of rounds of ammunition for small caliber weapons." The transfer is also expected to include thousands of Kalashnikov rifles.
In May, Abbas' office submitted a list of requested arms to Gen. Keith Dayton, the US security coordinator to Israel and the Gaza Strip, who then passed the list to Egypt, who would provide the weapons, and to Israel's Ministry of Defense, who would need to approve the transfer, said to top defense officials.
According to officials, Israel is considering the transfer of arms to Abbas' Force 17 "Presidential Guard," in an effort to strengthen Fatah against Hamas, as the security situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, and as Israel faces the growing Hamas threat.
Dayton supports the reinforcement of Abbas, as he expressed in a May testimony to the House Subcommittee on the Middle East in Washington.
Dayton expressed that, despite the security situation in Gaza, "all is not lost and our regional partners share that sentiment. However, it is critical that those who support the legitimate authority and forces represented by President Abbas receive the critical assistance they need."
There is not general support for the transfer among defense officials, as one stated, "The last thing needed are more weapons in the Gaza Strip."
"What good would it do to allow Fatah to get weapons if they won't be used against Hamas?" continued the official, referring to separate factions within Fatah itself.
Other officials worry that though the weapons are going to Fatah, they will eventually end up in Hamas hands.
Officials, however, forecast that Olmert will ultimately approve the transfer. |
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