Israeli Govt. Releases PA Tax Funds

 A worker wearing a protective suit arrives to disinfect the Church of the Nativity as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
A worker wearing a protective suit arrives to disinfect the Church of the Nativity as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
TT

Israeli Govt. Releases PA Tax Funds

 A worker wearing a protective suit arrives to disinfect the Church of the Nativity as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
A worker wearing a protective suit arrives to disinfect the Church of the Nativity as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma

A Palestinian official said on Monday that Israel transferred 120 million shekels to the Palestinian Authority’s treasury.

The fund is a part of tax money collected by Israel on behalf of the PA on Israeli controlled commercial crossings.

Minister of the Palestinian Civil Affairs Authority Hussein Al-Sheikh confirmed that Israel transferred the amount as part of the tax revenues due to the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahaloun, approved on Sunday the funds’ transfer, based on assessments by Israeli security intelligence and military officials that the Palestinian Authority could face some serious financial crisis amid the coronavirus outbreak

Israeli security officials expressed concern that the worsening of the coronavirus crisis for the Palestinian Authority could exacerbate the crisis in Israel.

Close cooperation is ongoing between the Israeli Ministry of Health and the PA, and many decisions regarding the two sides are made in coordination and agreement.

Last Monday, Palestinian Finance Minister Shukri Bishara met his Israeli counterpart for this purpose. Beshara asked Kahaloun “to release all the sums withheld by the Israeli side since last year, as an absolute necessity under the current circumstances.”

The meeting was held mainly to discuss “the economic situation facing the two sides in light of the spread of the virus.”

Israel has helped train Palestinian doctors to tackle the virus, and sent medical supplies, while both parties continue to exchange information on the number of infected cases and their movement.



Israel Declares 'New Phase' of War, Netanyahu Promises to Return Citizens of the North

FILED - 02 September 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference. Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO/dpa
FILED - 02 September 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference. Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO/dpa
TT

Israel Declares 'New Phase' of War, Netanyahu Promises to Return Citizens of the North

FILED - 02 September 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference. Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO/dpa
FILED - 02 September 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference. Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO/dpa

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday that Israel was “at the start of a new phase in the war” amid rising tension with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

“We are at the start of a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination and perseverance,” Gallant told Israeli troops.

He made no mention of the explosions of electronic devices in Lebanon but praised the work of Israel’s army and security agencies, saying “the results are very impressive.”

Israeli leaders have issued a series of warnings in recent weeks that they might increase operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying they must put a stop to the cross-border exchanges to allow people to return to homes near the border.

Israel began moving more troops to its border with Lebanon on Wednesday as a precautionary measure, according to an official with knowledge of the movements who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

In his comments, Gallant said that after months of fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, “the center of gravity is shifting to the north by diverting resources and forces.”

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu huddled with top security officials at Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv, the country's army chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said plans have been drawn up for additional action against Hezbollah.

Israel will ensure that tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern border areas will be able to go back home, Netanyahu said on Wednesday.

"I have said it before, we will return the citizens of the north to their homes in security and that's exactly what we are going to do," he said in a brief video statement, giving no further details.

Israeli sources with knowledge of the matter said the army had moved its 98th Division, which includes commando and paratrooper formations, from Gaza to the north.