Palestinians in Gaza attack Qatari envoy with stones after $15m. payment
The paychecks of the Hamas members, which were being paid through financial aid by Qatar, were passed on in suitcases in a heavily guarded vehicle.
By TAMAR URIEL-BEERIUpdated: NOVEMBER 9, 2018 22:57Palestinian children swing at a park in Gaza City November 9, 2018(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)
Palestinian protesters pelted the convoy of Qatar’s ambassador to the Palestinians, Mohammed Al-Emadi, with stones Friday as he came to observe the weekly demonstrations along Gaza’s border fence with Israel, according to The Jerusalem Post’s sister publication Maariv.Gazan media reported that those leading the attack against Al-Emadi were from the Palestinian faction of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. PFLP members had earlier refused to take part in the meeting with the Qatari ambassador and other Palestinian groups.Friday’s incident came after Qatar, with Israeli agreement, had transferred $15 million in cash to Hamas in Gaza, funds that were used for the salaries of Palestinian civil servants in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave. The money was transferred in three suitcases in a heavily guarded vehicle, while officials made an orderly list of those who would receive salaries in the coming months.The Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, said that there is no agreement with Israel but only understandings with intermediaries, headed by Egypt. "The siege fence has begun to collapse and it will fall," Sinwar said. "There are no understandings or agreements with the occupation at all. We are in contact with the mediators to break the siege, and we will not pay political prices in order to obtain our rights."Earlier in the day one Palestinian was killed by an Israeli soldier after the IDF said that the Palestinian threw an explosive charge at the IDF forces guarding the border fence and into Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry said the assailant suffered a mortal wound after being shot in the neck.Two others were arrested for cutting the fence and entering Israel.Maariv contributed to this report.
