Israel Allows Gaza Exports, Hamas Wants 30 Million US Dollars From Qatar To Enter

Illustration of Israeli soldiers passing through a civilian settlement. (Wikimedia Commons/Justin McIntosh)

JAKARTA - Israel allowed the resumption of commercial exports from the Gaza Strip on Monday, June 21, as a conditional measure one month after a ceasefire with the Palestinian militia Hamas. Hamas itself asked for more than export permits, namely the entry of aid funds from Qatar amounting to 30 million United States (US) which is still withheld.

Israel continues to tightly control Gaza crossings, with support from neighboring Egypt, to minimize threats from Hamas. Israeli restrictions were intensified during the fighting in May, effectively halting all exports.

With most of the ceasefire mediated by Egypt, Israel said some exports were allowed out through its territory on Monday morning.

"After a security evaluation, a decision has been made for the first time since the end of (the fighting) to allow limited exports of agricultural products from the Gaza Strip," said COGAT, a branch of the Israeli Defense Ministry.

COGAT said the measure was approved by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's government and was conditional on guarantees of security stability.

Meanwhile, Gaza border officials said the easing of Israeli restrictions would last two to three days, applying to agricultural goods and some textiles.

Israeli police illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Israel Police)

Egypt and the United Nations stepped up mediation last week, after incendiary balloons launched from Gaza triggered retaliatory Israeli air strikes on Hamas sites, challenging a fragile truce.

Separately, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar said he would re-escalate tensions with Israel, unless Qatar is allowed to transfer aid of 30 million US dollars to pay salaries, as quoted by The Jerusalem Post of KAN News.

Yahya Sinwar on Sunday met with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland and urged him on the issue.

A desperate Sinwar briefed reporters on the failure of talks with the UN envoy and accused Israel of blackmail, calling for popular resistance while pledging to hold a meeting of all Palestinian factions to unite their efforts.

Israel and the United Nations are deeply concerned about the resumption of Qatar's cash payments, fearing Hamas will use the funds to rebuild its military capability, which was significantly weakened during last month's armed clashes.

One compromise suggested includes using the money to directly fund UN projects in the Gaza Strip. The issue should be on the agenda for next week's meeting in Cairo between Israeli and Egyptian officials, according to KAN.

"This was a bad meeting and not at all positive. The meeting with the UN delegation was thorough and they listened to us. But unfortunately, there is no indication of any intention to resolve the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip," Sinwar said.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office had no comment on Sinwar's remarks. However, during a memorial service for Israeli soldiers who died in the 2014 Gaza War, PM Bennett insisted Israel would not tolerate a resumption of hostilities.

"(We) will not tolerate even a few rockets. We will not show patience or restraint against splinter factions. Our patience is running out," he stressed, referring to past attacks by militants other than Hamas.