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Israel okays Qatari fund transfer to Gaza, but Hamas says no

Israel Materials 25 January 2019 11:48 (UTC +04:00)
Israel approved the transfer of $15 million in Qatari money to the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a source in Jerusalem said, but Hamas rejected the money
Israel okays Qatari fund transfer to Gaza, but Hamas says no

Israel approved the transfer of $15 million in Qatari money to the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a source in Jerusalem said, but Hamas rejected the money. The money is the third installment of a series of payments aimed at keeping Gaza from collapsing, Trend reports referring to Ynet.

Israel decided to approve the Qatari money after lengthy discussions throughout Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the decision, despite Tuesday evening's violent flare-up between protesters and IDF troops at the border fence between Israel and Gaza. The Qatari money is used to pay Hamas civil servants’ salaries, provide financial support for the needy and finance $10 million worth of diesel fuel for Gaza’s power station.

After Israel approved the transfer, however, Hamas decided to refuse the money. Speaking at a press conference in the Gaza Strip, Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said the organization had spoken to Mohammed al-Emadi, the head of Qatar's Gaza Strip Reconstruction Committee, and explained their position.

“Al-Emadi understood why we decided to reject the funds rather than accept them under the terms decided by Israel. Gaza will not be subject to extortion by Israeli election theater,” al-Hayya said, referring to the upcoming elections in Israel.

The transfer of the Qatari funds was halted after violence broke out at the Strip’s border on Tuesday. An IDF Paratroopers officer was lightly wounded by Palestinian gunfire, which was followed by an IAF strike on Hamas military positions in northern Gaza.

Palestinian sources confirm that al-Emadi entered Gaza on Wednesday through the Erez crosspoint, but arrived without the funds.

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