PA to continue paying prisoners, martyrs’ salaries

Secretary of the PLO’s Executive Committee Saeb Erekat said yesterday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will continue to pay the salaries of prisoners, former prisoners, wounded Palestinians and martyrs’ families, Arab48 reported.

During a press conference held in response to the Israeli decision to deduct payments from the PA tax revenues collected by Israel, Erekat said that the measure violates Article 81 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which stipulates that conflict parties protect prisoners, provide free healthcare and take care of their families. In addition, it stipulates no deduction from their allowances and salaries.

Erekat also said that PA President Mahmoud Abbas had formed a 12-member committee to look in to the Gaza crisis and recommend a solution.

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