Israel agrees transfer of arms from Egypt to aid Abbas

EGYPT has sent a large shipment of weapons through Israeli territory to shore up forces loyal to the embattled Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli security officials said yesterday — an extraordinary show of support by both countries for his efforts to renew peacemaking with Israel.

Israel approved the transfer of 2,000 automatic rifles, 20,000 ammunition clips and two million bullets, the officials said, though the shipment has not been officially confirmed by Israel, the Palestinians or Egypt.

Israel initially balked at letting additional weapons through but Israel’s desire to see Mr Abbas prevail against anti-Israel Hamas militants, who control the Palestinian parliament and Cabinet, have apparently overridden those concerns.