Special report: Israel launches Gaza
assault
RAMALLAH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- 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.
