The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is considering allowing the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to establish a special trained counterterror squad, the Jerusalem Post reported Friday.

The IDF hopes the new squad, like a small elite commando force, would have the ability to carry out pinpoint operations against Hamas' and Islamic Jihad's infrastructure in the West Bank more effectively than the existing Palestinian security forces, the Israeli daily said.

France has already offered to train such a team, according to the report.

However, the IDF recently refused PNA requests to receive explosives training and establish an advanced military communication system, the report added.

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2009)