Qatari Fund to Gaza to be Settled Soon

Qatari Fund to Gaza to be Settled Soon

A field on fire is seen after Palestinians in Gaza sent incendiary balloons (Reuters)

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is working to remove the obstacles preventing the delivery of Qatar aid through the local banking system without exposing Palestinian banks to any risks or penalties, announced the Minister of Social Development Ahmed Majdalani.

Israel has suspended the transfer of Qatari funds to the Gaza Strip, amounting to $30 million per month.

Tel Aviv stipulated that the transfer, especially those directly paid to 10,000 people at $100, should be made through the PA and the UN.

Hamas initially refused the proposal, but Israel insisted, and then the Authority set conditions to avoid any legal problems related to the transfers.

The matter is expected to be settled this week, according to sources.

Majdalani pointed out that security bodies, including the Shin Bet, will check the names nominated to benefit from the grant and ensure they are not connected to Hamas.

The names will then be included in statements of the Ministry of Social Affairs, provided that they receive their money through Palestinian banks and not in bags, as was the case previously.

Meanwhile, Israeli aircraft bombed Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip on Saturday in response to incendiary balloons launched from