Israeli Security Cabinet Green-lights Cash Payments To Hamas In Gaza Strip

The Israeli security cabinet, with the backing of top military brass, green-lighted the “mafia-style” transfer into the Gaza Strip of three unmarked suitcases containing $15 million in Qatar-donated cash earmarked for paying the salaries of Hamas members. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu defended the move as “the right step,” adding he would do whatever he can to protect residents of southern Israel. For over six months, Gaza’s terrorist regime has been staging weekly “March of Return” protests along the frontier that invariably have descended into mass violence. Concurrently, Gazans have launched thousands of incendiary and explosive objects across the border, destroying much of the surrounding forestry and farmland. Egyptian and United Nations diplomats have been trying to forge a long-term cease-fire between the two sides that reportedly would include the partial lifting of the blockade on Gaza; the establishment of a commercial sea route between Cyprus and the Palestinian enclave; and $100 million in direct funding by Doha that also will be used to double the amount of electricity available in the territory. In return, Hamas would agree to end all hostilities, essentially a return to the tentative calm informally agreed to at the conclusion of the 50-day war in 2014.