Qatar pays Gaza fuel taxes until June

The Deputy Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza, Zeyad Al-Zaza, said on Sunday that Qatar is paying $10 million to the Palestinian Authority (PA) treasury today, Monday, for taxes imposed on industrial fuel imported for the electricity plant in the besieged territory.

“We extend our thanks to the Qatari Emir and people for paying the taxes imposed by the PA,” said Al-Zaza. “They have paid for six months starting from January this year.”

The Palestinian official reiterated that the government in Gaza is exerting a great deal of effort to be able to buy the much-needed fuel for the power plant before the Qatari money runs out. After that, the fuel crisis will restart with blackouts for hours on end across Gaza unless additional funds are forthcoming.

The salaries of public sector workers have been paid up to the end of February, added Al-Zaza. “Payments for March will be made as soon as possible.”