Israel is considering new alternatives for transferring Qatari aid money to government officials in the Gaza Strip – chiefly Hamas members – after the Palestinian Authority backtracked on transferring it through its banks in the West Bank.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said that “The Defense Ministry is examining different alternatives” on Sunday. It added that “when an appropriate framework is found that guarantees that the money won’t go to terror activities, it will be presented by the defense minister to the prime minister.”
The past method of transferring the Qatari funds – which was in suitcases full of cash – “will not repeat itself,” the statement said.
The statement comes after the Qatari envoy to Gaza, Mohammad al-Ammadi, said Friday that the Palestinian Authority walked back on its deal with the United Nations and Doha to pass the money to Hamas officials via Palestinian banks in the West Bank.
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The PA has expressed concern that its banks will be exposed to lawsuits alleging support for terrorism, as Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel another Western countries.
The understandings reached on transferring Qatari money to impoverished families in Gaza is still valid, and will be carried out through a UN mechanism this week.
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