The Palestinian Authority (PA) is working to remove the obstacles preventing the delivery of Qatar aid through the local banking system without exposing Palestinian banks to any risks or penalties, announced the Minister of Social Development Ahmed Majdalani.
Israel has suspended the transfer of Qatari funds to the Gaza Strip, amounting to $30 million per month.
Tel Aviv stipulated that the transfer, especially those directly paid to 10,000 people at $100, should be made through the PA and the UN.
Hamas initially refused the proposal, but Israel insisted, and then the Authority set conditions to avoid any legal problems related to the transfers.
The matter is expected to be settled this week, according to sources.
Majdalani pointed out that security bodies, including the Shin Bet, will check the names nominated to benefit from the grant and ensure they are not connected to Hamas.
The names will then be included in statements of the Ministry of Social Affairs, provided that they receive their money through Palestinian banks and not in bags, as was the case previously.
Meanwhile, Israeli aircraft bombed Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip on Saturday in response to incendiary balloons launched from the enclave.
The Israeli military spokesman said its airstrikes were a "response to continual launches of incendiary balloons from Gaza into Israel throughout the day."
On Friday, balloons were launched from Gaza, causing at least four fires in areas near Ashkelon.
Israeli spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Authority said that investigations determined that incendiary balloons caused the fires.
Tensions rose after a quiet week, but the delay in the arrival of Qatari funds to the Strip prompted Hamas to resume launching the balloons to pressure the Israeli government to allow the entry of the Qatari grant.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum confirmed in a statement that Gaza youth insist on targeting the settlements, proving they will do not accept the dictations of the occupation.
Barhoum reiterated that the "hollow parades" and "empty targeting" by the occupation would not intimidate Gazans or discourage them from continuing to resist the blockade.
