Hamas rejected a $15 million cash transfer from Qatar on Thursday, said the terrorist organization’s deputy chief.
According to Palestinian news agency Ma’an, Khalil al-Haya remarked that Gaza will not become a puppet in the Israeli elections in April. But that also means that the 2 million residents in the Strip will continue to lack necessary staples and health care.
He accused Israel of not allowing funds to enter Gaza on a monthly basis.
However, Israel’s Security Cabinet on Wednesday reversed its decision earlier this week not to permit the Qatari transfer to Gaza to help struggling Palestinians there.
The $15 million was to be the third installment approved by Israel’s government in what officials see as a way to ease tensions and avoid a potential humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The initial decision not to permit the previously approved funding stemmed from renewed Palestinian rioting and violence along the Gaza-Israel border as an Israeli officer was hurt by sniper fire, with a Hamas terrorist killed in a counterattack by Israel. The Israeli military shut down areas near the border to civilian traffic, fearing more an escalation.
Qatari envoy Mohammed El-Amadi was in Jerusalem on Wednesday to resolve the dilemma and convince Israel to permit the transfer.
