Israel must either authorize the transfer of $8 million in funds for the payment of the terrorist organization's employees or face an escalation, Hamas has warned according to reports.
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The Qatari envoy to the Gaza Strip Mohammed Al-Emadi is set to arrive in the region this week in an attempt to find a solution to Hamas' demand for cash to pay its officials, Israel Hayom has learned. Al-Emadi, who visited Israel and Gaza just last week, announced a framework had been reached to allow the transfer of employee salaries, however, senior Hamas officials said the funds had not been transferred.
"Gaza has reached boiling point," they said, "and all of the pressure will be directed at Israel."
Palestinian media outlets quoted close associates of Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar as saying, "Hamas is done being patient. Now, all options are on the table."
Another cause for concern is the lack of progress in negotiations in Cairo on the rehabilitation of Gaza and efforts to cement the ceasefire reached following May's Operation Guardian of the Walls, as well as reports talks to negotiate a prisoner-exchange deal had reached a dead end.
According to reports coming out of Gaza, Hamas has denied Egyptian reports in which senior Cairo officials said significant progress had been made in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on these issues. This in addition to a deal between Israel and Hamas within the framework of which Israel would release Hamas prisoners, including those with blood on their hands, in return for the return of the bodies of Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, who were killed in the Gaza Strip during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014, and information on the fate of the Israeli captives being held alive in Hamas captivity, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed.
A Hamas official said, "We have informed our Egyptian brothers that our patience has run out," senior Hamas politburo official Izzat al-Risheq told Voice of Palestine Radio. "Israel is creating difficulties, not allowing the transfer of funds to Gaza, and we are being asked to grit our teeth. We won't agree to that."
Next week will be critical for the coastal enclave, a senior Hamas official told Israel Hayom.
"If Israel continues to procrastinate and doesn't allow the transfer of salary payments, the escalation will come. All the easing of restrictions on the Gaza Strip are a joke. The Egyptians are on Israel's side for the meantime, but they also understand who is guilty here. Hamas is interested in a deal, and Israel is only making things difficult. This will blow up in Israel's face," the official warned.
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