Israeli officials have been left confused by Hamas’ refusal to receive much needed funds from Qatar.
The $15 million grant had been delayed twice this year with Israel insisting that “calm” needed to be achieved on its western border with the Gaza Strip before any money would be allowed in to the besieged enclave.
Speaking at a press conference after Israel announced that it had approved the funds transfer, senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya said Gaza could not accept the money because of the conditions which Israel had placed on the transfer. He added that Gaza would not be blackmailed or allow itself to become part of Israel’s election playground.
The move was hailed by Palestinian factions.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) described Hamas’ move as a “step in the right direction.”
Senior PFLP leader Maher Mizher said: “The Israeli exploitation of the Qatari funds is fully rejected. Financial blackmail is absolutely unaccepted.”
“The Qatari grant must not be connected to the cessation of the protests of the Great March of Return. We do not accept bartering it with any financial gains.”
Palestinians have been holding weekly protests against Israel’s stifling 12-year blockage of the Strip since 30 March last year. According to figures released by the UN, some 250 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli occupation army since the protests began