With Israeli Blessing, Egypt Transfers Arms, Ammunition to Fatah

By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents, and Haaretz Service

Amos Gilad, Head of political military policy at the Defense Ministry, on Thursday told Israel Radio that the assistance provided to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Presidential Guard is aimed at reinforcing the forces of peace in the area.

"The assistance is aimed at reinforcing the forces of peace in the face of the forces of darkness that are threatening the future of the Middle East," Gilad said, commenting on the news of an arms transfer from Egypt to Palestinian security forces, first published in Haaretz Thursday morning.

Gilad added that the assistance to the Presidential Guard comes from the Arab world and that Israel is not dealing the matter directly.

Egypt transfered a large quantity of arms and ammunition to PA security organizations in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, with Israel's approval.

The Palestinian security forces are largely allied with Abbas, and draw their numbers from his Fatah movement.

The move was carried out in an effort to bolster Fatah affiliated groups, following recent clashes with paramilitary organizations belonging to the ruling Hamas movement.

Salim Abu Sufiya, head of the Palestinian border control, on Thursday refused to confirm or deny the report. >>>cont

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