(Ha'aretz) Amos Harel - Israel has withdrawn its objection to providing the PA with ammunition. Sources said the IDF and Shin Bet now recommend allowing the PA to receive ammunition from Egypt. Reasons for the change include an intelligence evaluation that Palestinian defense forces were short of ammunition; that the PA's moves against Hamas would continue; and that the arms and ammunition smuggled to the terror organizations via the Philadelphi route tipped the balance against the PA. Security sources said Israel may give the Palestinians riot control gear, such as tear gas, but not arms that could be used against Israel, as has happened in the past. Sources close to Defense Minister Mofaz believe that the PA has not proved it is serious in fighting terror in the cities now under its control.
2005-10-10 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive