BAIT-UL-MOQADDAS -- Israel has authorized the United States to stockpile military hardware at its army bases, in view of a possible U.S.-led offensive against Iraq, the daily ***Maariv*** reported Monday.

According to the paper, which got hold of an official document, Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin ben Eliezer has given the green light for the weaponry to be brought in the coming days.

A senior U.S. officer was quoted, anonymously, confirming the Report, AFP reported.

Under a strategic cooperation agreement, Israel has placed its bases at the disposal of the United States, and will provide logistic and intelligence aid, the source said, although Israel would not be an active player in any military action against Iraq.

***Maariv*** added that dozens of U.S. officers and troops were already in Israeli Army bases to prepare for the arms shipments.

"The quantities of arms which have already been shipped to Israel are enormous because Israel is the only country in which we have such confidence," one of the officers said.