On Wednesday Israel declared that it had authorized a shipment of 25 armored vehicles and 1,000 rifles to support a crackdown on militants in the West Bank carried on by Palestinian police.

The shipment was suggested two years ago by Russia, but met a resistance from Israeli opposition.

This move is aiming to build trust with the Palestinian Authority's leaders as Israel is preparing to restart peace negotiations with them.

The Gaza Strip will also be allowed to have strawberry and flower exports, blocked by Israel since September.

According to the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce, the territory earns $14 million a year from the exports, L.A. Times reports.

These announcements come as Israeli and Palestinian leaders are preparing for the peace conference sponsored by the U.S. that is scheduled for next week in Annapolis.

The Russian shipment was challenged by Israeli opposition leaders and the country's internal security service on grounds that it could fall into the hands of the Hamas.

Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June and captured large quantities of weapons from the Fatah.  

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu declared: “We will one day see Hamas sitting on the armored vehicles, firing at us,” referring to the new shipment.

The shipment was authorized by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. It also includes 2 million rounds of ammunition.

Olmert has been telling Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that the Israeli troops won’t withdraw from the West Bank if the Palestinian police force won’t disarm the Hamas.

In the recent weeks Abbas has deployed hundreds of police officers to West Bank cities.  

If Abbas shows progress against the Hamas, another 25 vehicles could be sent, according to Israeli officials.

The shipment was regarded as a "Zionist gift”, according to a Hamas spokesman, Sami abu Zuhri.