Palestinian Authority Transfers ‘Salaries’ To Families Of Terrorists Killed In Gaza

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Amid the public discussion about whether the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas should have a role in Gaza, the PA announced that it is paying salaries to the families of Hamas terrorists who were killed in Gaza, as well as those who are injured or were captured by the IDF.

The PA announced that it would be distributing salaries via post offices and ATMs associated with the Palestinian post office bank services.

The salaries, at a minimum level of 2000 NIS (65% of the PA’s minimum wage), will be transferred from the month of November and will include compensations based on the PA’s definitions.

The salaries will be provided in the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border and will be transferred from an office in the city.

Israel has partially withheld tax revenue that it collects on behalf of the PA during the current war, claiming that the PA will help Hamas terrorists in Gaza with its taxes. This has deepened the PA’s financial crisis.

The Biden Administration, which sees the PA as a key player in the post-war governance of Gaza, has attempted to pressure Netanyahu into releasing the funds to Norway for safekeeping. The PA has accepted this plan, agreeing to receive non-withheld tax revenue which it has refused over the issue.

According to Axios, Netanyahu rejected the proposal, resulting in Biden last week demanding that Netanyahu challenge right-wing coalition members like Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich. Biden reportedly told Netanyahu “this conversation is over”, before immediately ending the call.

In response, Smotrich has said that he will not release tax revenue destined for the Palestinian Authority (PA) currently held by Israel.

Although he called the US Israel’s “best ally in the world”, Smotrich said that “we will never put our destiny in the hands of foreigners, and as long as I am Finance Minister, not a single Shekel will go to the Nazi terrorists in Gaza”.

“This is not an extreme position. This is a life-saving and reality-based position,” he added,