Israel surprised by PNA readiness for combat

Israel reported lately its surprise at the scope of PNA readiness in case of a military conflict breaks out with the Israeli army. Israeli military sources claimed the PNA has at its disposal some 30,000 weapons, including machine-guns and assault rifles, in addition to great amounts of hand grenades, explosive devices and even Katyusha rocket launchers. The sources said the PNA had taken seriously press reports about Israeli army exercises to storm the PNA areas and try to reoccupy the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and that is why a state of alert had been declared among all PNA forces.

PNA officials refused to comment on the report but on the ground, in some of the PNA roadblocks on entrances to Area A, under Oslo interim agreements, Palestinian soldiers had reportedly set machine guns and cannons on their vehicles. In a meeting that took place a few days ago, senior Palestinian officers decided to give a free hand to the commanders on the ground to prevent any Israeli attempt from entering or storming the PNA areas "even if the price is violent clashes with the Israeli troops."