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Palestinians to get armoured cars | Palestinians to get armoured cars |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Israel has approved the transfer of 25 armoured vehicles to Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. | Israel has approved the transfer of 25 armoured vehicles to Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. |
The move has long been opposed by Israeli security forces but officials described it as a goodwill gesture. | The move has long been opposed by Israeli security forces but officials described it as a goodwill gesture. |
The Russian-made vehicles are to be deployed in Nablus. Israel also allowed provision of 1,000 guns and 2m bullets. | |
The moves are meant to bolster Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who will attend peace talks next week in the US city of Annapolis. | |
Israeli officials said another 25 armoured vehicles could be sent if Mr Abbas's forces make progress in curbing militants. | Israeli officials said another 25 armoured vehicles could be sent if Mr Abbas's forces make progress in curbing militants. |
The militant wing of Hamas, which wrested the Gaza Strip from Mr Abbas in June, called the shipment a "Zionist gift" and accused Palestinian security services in the West Bank of collaborating with Israel. | The militant wing of Hamas, which wrested the Gaza Strip from Mr Abbas in June, called the shipment a "Zionist gift" and accused Palestinian security services in the West Bank of collaborating with Israel. |
Delivery of the vehicles was first approved in 2005, said an Israeli government spokeswomen, but was put on hold when Hamas won Palestinian Authority parliamentary elections in 2006. | Delivery of the vehicles was first approved in 2005, said an Israeli government spokeswomen, but was put on hold when Hamas won Palestinian Authority parliamentary elections in 2006. |
In another gesture to the Palestinians, Israel announced that flower and strawberry exports could resume from the Gaza Strip via Israel to Europe. | In another gesture to the Palestinians, Israel announced that flower and strawberry exports could resume from the Gaza Strip via Israel to Europe. |
Israel has blocked exports from Gaza, whose borders it controls, since the Hamas take-over, and in September it declared the coast strip a "hostile territory". | Israel has blocked exports from Gaza, whose borders it controls, since the Hamas take-over, and in September it declared the coast strip a "hostile territory". |
Correspondents say Israel's blockade has raised warnings of a humanitarian crisis in the impoverished, overcrowded territory where more than 80% of the population depends on aid. | Correspondents say Israel's blockade has raised warnings of a humanitarian crisis in the impoverished, overcrowded territory where more than 80% of the population depends on aid. |
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