Updated on Monday, October 30, 2006, 00:00 IST

Jerusalem, Oct 30: Israeli security forces have killed 300 Hamas operatives in the past three months and would expand operations in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today.

He told a key parliamentary committee that the Army would decide in the coming days what type of operation to carry out, said lawmaker Limor Livnat, who participated in the committee's meeting.

Olmert gave no other details on the possible Gaza operations to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, 'The Jerusalem Post' quoted Livnat as saying.

The premier also said he would consider allowing Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas to beef up his loyalist forces with troops stationed in neighbouring Jordan.

Palestinian officials had said last week that Abbas wanted to bring in the forces ahead of a possible showdown with Hamas.

Israel has objected in the past to letting members of the Jordan-based Badr brigade enter Palestinian areas.

But Olmert told the committee that he would consider allowing such a move, said committee member Ran Cohen.

"If the addition of a military force will not hurt our security, then this will be considered favourably," Olmert was quoted as saying.

Bureau Report