The report by Seymour Hersh is published in the December 15 issue of the New Yorker magazine.

The report cited unnamed US and Israeli intelligence sources as saying Israeli commandos and intelligence units have been helping US special forces train for operations in Iraq and are expected to secretly advise them in the field.

Both the US and Israeli governments have decided to keep their cooperation secret, the report said.

The report also cited an unnamed former Central Intelligence Agency official with extensive Middle East experience as saying US officials are relying on a former Saddam loyalist for intelligence on opponents of the US-led occupation.

Farouk Hijazi, former director of external operations for Iraqi intelligence, "has cut a deal" since being captured in April, the source is quoted as saying.

US officials "are using him to reactivate the old Iraqi intelligence network," the source said.

WAR.WIRE