Israel may give PA commandos go ahead
THE JERUSALEM POST Jul. 10, 2009
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The IDF is considering allowing the Palestinians to establish a specially
trained counterterror squad - a scaled down version of the IDF's elite
reconnaissance units - qualified to carry out pinpoint operations against
Hamas terrorist cells in the West Bank, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

Such an elite commando force would be able to carry out special operations
against Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank
more effectively than could existing Palestinian security forces. The French
have already offered to train such a team.

The decision to consider the establishment of such a team was made following
the Palestinian Authority's operation against a Hamas cell in Kalkilya last
month, during which five Hamas terrorists and four members of the US-trained
Palestinian security force were killed.

The four Palestinian battalions trained by the United States in Jordan and
already deployed in the West Bank were taught how to enforce law and order
and conduct regular police-like operations, but were not given military
training. Their equipment consists of pistols and Kalashnikov rifles, and
the content of their training is approved by Israel.

The IDF is therefore considering allowing the establishment of a small,
elite Palestinian squad that would be capable of conducting operations like
the one in Kalkilya more effectively and with fewer casualties.

The army recently vetoed a PA request to receive explosives training. The
Palestinians also asked Israel for permission to set up an advanced military
communication system. This too was denied by the army, due to concern that
the Palestinian system would interfere with IDF communications.

While the IDF Central Command, under the direction of Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni,
has succeeded in dramatically reducing the level of terrorist activity in
the West Bank, a top officer warned on Thursday that the army fears that
Hizbullah will activate terrorist cells and have them attack Israel..