Israel has conditionally approved a Palestinian demand to allow the entry of a Palestinian militant brigade from Jordan to Gaza to help boost President Mahmoud Abbas' power, Palestinian newspaper al-Quds reported Saturday.

Al-Quds quoted well-informed sources as saying that the Israeli cabinet has okayed the entry of Bader Forces, a brigade links to the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), after a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian officials encouraged by Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approved the entry of Bader forces, but outlined five conditions, including reducing the number to 1,000 troops without their families. Abbas wanted the entry of 1,500 with their families.

Bader Forces are asked to stay in Gaza for a limited time where they have to help the security services stop the state of disorder and lawlessness. If the forces failed to meet these requirements, Israel has the right to call for their departure back to Jordan.

In addition, the forces have to be deployed along Gaza-Israel borders to stop home-made rocket attacks against the Israeli communities there.

Olmert also wants these troops to be armed with light weapons and the entry into Gaza should get the approval of King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The newspaper said that the PNA has accepted the Israeli conditions, adding the troops are training in Jordan in the preparations to enter into Gaza in the coming few weeks.

According to the report, Abbas asked Israel to release a number of Palestinian prisoners away from the current talks to swap an Israeli soldier, who was held hostage in Gaza, for Palestinian prisoners.

Abbas also wanted Israel to release the PNA's tax revenues that have been withheld since Hamas took office in March.

However, Olmert said he can only release the PNA money after he makes sure they will be used for humanitarian purposes, adding he can't release Palestinian prisoners before Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit is freed.

Source: Xinhua