"These reports are totally untrue," official Wafa news agencyquoted spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaina as saying.

The denial was made in response to Israeli press reports thatEgypt has transferred large quantities of weapons and ammunition to Gaza to boost Abbas' security services and his Fatah movement in their power struggle with Hamas.

Local Israeli daily Ha'aretz said that the arms were allowed into Gaza after Israeli approval.

Also on Thursday, the Jerusalem Post reported that Israel has approved transfer of a large amount of weaponry by Egypt to Palestinian Fatah security forces in the Gaza Strip.

The weapons, including 2,000 automatic rifles, 20,000 ammunition clips and 2 million bullets, were transferred from Egypt to Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces and governmental authorization, the post said.

Four trucks carrying the weapons entered the Gaza Strip via the Karni crossing under the escort of Israel's Military Police, it added.