Israel confirmed the transfer of 1,000 rifles from Jordan to the security forces of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the West Bank, local daily Ha'aretz reported Thursday.
All the 1,000 M-16s were delivered to the PNA security forces three weeks ago following Israeli authorization, Israeli and Palestinian security sources were quoted as saying.
It was the largest arms transfer authorized in recent years and was meant to aid forces loyal to PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to prevent the possibility of Hamas challenge and possible takeover similar to that in the Gaza Strip, according to the report.
Earlier this year, several thousand rifles were delivered to Fatah forces in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, but most of those arms came under Hamas' control following its takeover of the Gaza Strip in mid June.
Source: Xinhua
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