Israel allows weapons transfer to Palestinians




An Israeli security official says Israel allowed Palestinian security forces to receive a shipment of around 1,000 rifles, a step aimed at bolstering the moderate Palestinian government. He says Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arranged the transfer when they met August 31.

 

Israel has taken similar steps in the past to bolster Abbas against his rivals from Hamas, the hardline Islamic group that controls the Gaza Strip. (AP)