Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved the weaponry after the PA asked for the shipment to be used in Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayad's campaign against hamas militants, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Defense officials expressed cautious satisfaction with the performance of the Palestinian security forces, Israel Radio reported. But, some Israeli military officials warn the weapons could fall into terrorists' hands.

Fayad's campaign is targeted at money launderers, many of whom help finance Hamas, and against other Hamas militants in the West Bank.