Hamas refuses third payment of Qatar grant

Qatar Ambassador Mohammed Al-Emadi (C) is greeted by Head of Hamas in Gaza Yahya Sinwar (R) and other officials in Gaza on 24 January 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Qatari Ambassador Mohammed Al-Emadi (C) is seen with Hamas officials Ismail Haniyeh (L) and Yahya Sinwar (R) in Gaza on 24 January 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya is seen walking to a press conference in Gaza on 24 January 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya (R) speaks to the press in Gaza on the 24 January 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

The vehicle of the Qatari Ambassador to Gaza is seen driving off in Gaza on 24 January 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Hamas officials are seen saying goodbye to Qatari Ambassador as he drives off in the car in Gaza on 24 January 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Qatari Ambassador Mohammed El-Amadi is seen getting into a vehicle with senior Hamas officials in Gaza on 24 January 2019 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Hamas has rejected a Qatari grant which is being transferred to the Gaza Strip, a senior official said.

Speaking at a press conference today, Khalil Al-Hayya said the movement had discussed the issue with the Qatari Ambassador to Gaza Mohammed Al-Emadi and Hamas is not able to accept the grant after taking in to consideration the conditions placed by Israel on the transfer of the funds.

He stressed that Gaza would not allow itself to become part of Israel’s elections playground.

Israel had refused to allow Qatari funds which were set to pay the salaries of civil servants in the besieged Strip in to the enclave. However Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced today that he had now provided authorisation for the third instalment of Qatar funds to be sent to Gaza.

Qatari Ambassador Mohammed Al-Emadi arrived in the Gaza Strip yesterday evening.

READ: Gaza employees receive partial salaries, as Qatar grant delayed