Why has the US made a 20-million-dollar plan to increase the security force of P

American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has gained an agreement from Israel to lift some restrictions on the Palestinians. Earlier, she met with top officials from both sides. Ms. Rice did not comment as she left Israel. She met there with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Amir Peretz. Israel agreed to open the Rafah Crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip at planned periods over the next month. News reports also say the United States has proposed a 20-million-dollar plan to increase the security force of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The plan is part of a larger United States goal to support Mr. Abbas and his Fatah party in its effort to gain power over the militant group Hamas.