News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) United States officials and Palestinian Authority officials agree that PA forces will need between $4.2 billion and $7 billion in order to become fully functional, according to Haaretz.  While donor nations recently pledged $7.7 billion to the PA, the money will be allocated to paying off the PA’s debts, covering the PA’s operating costs, and funding economic initiatives, leaving PA armed forces with $86 million in US funding.

US officials have expressed support for a plan that would create a 50,000-member PA force.  The force would be responsible for police work and for fighting terrorism.  Israeli officials have warned that they will not accept a peace deal with the PA until it is capable of controlling local terrorists.