Israel Matzav

Whoa! Saudi Arabia and UAE grant money to Hamas for cease fire, conditioned on not rebuilding terror tunnels

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have played a significant role in returning Hamas to the negotiating table over a permanent ceasefire, a security official revealed Sunday on condition of anonymity, after pledging to contribute money to rebuild Gaza. 

Hamas initially insisted on a financial plan backed by their longtime ally, Qatar, to recover from the conflict, the source stated to Walla!.

However, since Jerusalem and Cairo both aim to lessen Qatar's stronghold on the terror regime - as well as the influence of Qatar-based Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal - Hamas then turned to Riyadh and contacts in the United Arab Emirates for assistance after Operation Protective Edge. 

The Saudi funding is conditional on the promise that the funds will be used for legitimate civilian projects only - specifically barring the rebuilding of terror tunnels. 

It is unclear what system of checks and balances exist to ensure that promise is kept will be in place, however, and the fact remains that Hamas routinely sets up headquarters in civilian buildings, and has stored rockets and booby traps in schools and hospitals.

Earlier Sunday, the Palestinian news agency Sawa revealed that Hamas was able to funnel millions of dollars into Gaza over the past two months despite the IDF crackdown - and that two months' salary was paid in full to its terror "military wing," the Al-Qassam Brigades, in the early hours of Sunday morning. Additional funds will also be paid to Hamas government officials.

Analysts suspect that the funds - which seemingly appeared out of nowhere - may have been procured, at least in part, from Saudi and UAE donors.

The revelation is surprising, considering both Riyadh and the UAE have also heavily backed Egypt's crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been closely linked with Hamas. Hamas itself was blacklisted in Egypt earlier this year.

Labels: Egypt, Gaza, Gaza seaport, Hamas, Hamas rockets, IDF, Muslim Brotherhood, Palestinian terrorists, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, terror tunnels, Turkey, United Arab Emirates

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:51 AM