Israel and Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip, are close to signing a long-term ceasefire that will guarantee a new flow of cash to the Islamist organization, Channel 12 News reported Sunday.
According to the report, the coronavirus crisis has led to a severe economic and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, prompting Hamas to agree to a six-month settlement with the Jewish state.
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In exchange for a halt of violent incidents from the Palestinian enclave, Qatar will transfer $100 million to Hamas.
Key Israeli figures familiar with the talks are IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Kamil Abu Rukun and Mossad Director Yossi Cohen, the report said,
The two are engaged in direct discussions with Qatari officials, with the purpose of resuming the delivery of funds into Gaza.
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The situation between Israel and Hamas tends to escalate before the Palestinian organization's funds are about to deplete. The Islamist terrorist group has recently warned it will escalate the situation, while demanding renewal of civilian projects, emphasizing the scarcity in water and power.
Israel, however, conditions the agreement by achieving progress in the freeing of Israeli captives and remains of two fallen soldiers: Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, killed in the Gaza Strip in separate battles during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Ethiopian Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Israeli Hisham al-Sayed, both suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015 and were captured by Hamas.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
