Israel OKs more Qatari funds for Gaza to contain escalation
Israel seems to believe Qatar's deep pockets can help calm prevail in the Gaza Strip by alleviating some of the suffering there.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip —Qatar has agreed to provide more funds to the Gaza Strip after meeting with Israeli representatives.
Israeli military liaison to the Palestinian territories Maj. Gen. Kamil Abu Rokon met Feb. 25 in Jerusalem with Qatari Ambassador to the Palestinian territories Mohammed al-Emadi and UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov to discuss the latest round of escalation between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s Kan channel reported the meeting Feb. 26, days after cross-border violence erupted Feb. 23 when the Israeli army killed a Palestinian man in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. A precarious calm prevailed after midnight the next day.
Israel’s Walla News website had reported Feb. 22 that Mossad Director Yossi Cohen and Herzi Halevi, chief of the Israeli Southern Command, met earlier that month with senior Qatari officials to cut a deal with Hamas.
