By DPA
Tel Aviv : Israel has authorised the transfer of 1,000 rifles from Jordan to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces in the West Bank, the Ha'aretz daily reported Thursday, quoting "security sources" from both sides.
The transfer, the largest of its kind in recent years, is aimed at helping forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas forestall a West Bank challenge from the Islamic Hamas movement, whose gunmen routed their opposite numbers from Abbas' Fatah movement in the Gaza Strip last month.
The weapons were delivered to the PA three weeks ago, but the deal was kept under wraps to prevent a leak that could undermine Abbas' standing, Ha'aretz wrote.
During the Gaza fighting last month, Hamas, in an effort to win backing for its moves, accused Fatah members of being collaborators with the United States and Israel.
News that Israel has transferred arms to the Palestinian Authority could also cause a storm among hawks and right-wingers in Israel, who fear that such weapons would sooner or later be used against Israelis.