GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Despite press reports to the contrary, Qatar has not informed Hamas that Doha might not renew humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip beginning in January, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Monitor.

The Qatari assistance was part of truce agreements mediated by Egypt between Hamas and Israel. In October 2018, Qatar agreed to provide $150 million in emergency humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in monthly payments of $25 million. Gaza received the first payment Nov. 8, 2018. The grant was initially for six months but was extended until the end of this year because of the dire conditions in the Gaza Strip.

On Nov. 5, the Lebanese Al-Akhbar reported that Qatar had officially informed Hamas of the grant's uncertain status for next year. That report, citing undisclosed Hamas sources, circulated widely, but Qassem denied the account Nov. 17. Still, he stressed that Hamas has been and will continue reaching out to many regional and international parties — including Qatar — for financial aid.

If Qatar discontinues the funding, Palestinians' conditions will worsen and no doubt lead to escalating unrest against Israel because of its 12-year blockade of the Gaza Strip.