Ex-security chief calls for sending Qatar funds to Gaza

Former chief of Israeli Security Agency Shin Bet, Ya’akov Peri, yesterday called for Qatari funds to be allowed in to Gaza to avoid a “massive escalation”, Al-Wattan Voice reported.

Peri called for Israel to continue transferring the funds to the Gaza Strip in order to avoid a new confrontation.

“Transferring the funds or not transferring them will not make Hamas love Israel,” Peri said.

He added: “At the end, I think, the funds will be transferred because we have no other choices. We should have started with this initiative in the wake of 2014 war because Gaza has been on the verge of a humanitarian crisis for a long time and when is explodes, the world will blame us.”

Commenting on the Israeli claim that funds transfer was frozen due to the opening of fire at an Israeli officer, he said: “Israel needs to act based on its interest – avoiding confrontation.”

A spokesman for the Israeli army claimed on Tuesday that an Israeli officer was hit by a bullet from the Gaza Strip. He was admitted to hospital for treatment to his “light wounds”.

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