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JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his decision to allow Qatar to pay $ 15 million in salaries to Hamas-controlled Gaza, saying it would ease tensions and prevent a Palestinian humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu's remarks late Saturday are the first on this issue since Israel has authorized the transfer of money to the Hamas-controlled enclave, considered not only by the Jewish state, but also by the United States and the United States. the European Union.
"I'm doing what I can, in coordination with the security elements, to restore calm in the southern communities, but also to prevent a humanitarian crisis," Netanyahu said, referring to Israeli cities near the Gaza border. and deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip. Gang.
Netanyahu said the Israeli security forces had backed the initiative and the ministers of his security cabinet had approved it.
"We had serious discussions," he said before his flight to Paris, where he will join world leaders on the occasion of the centenary of the end of the First World War.
"I think we act responsibly and wise."
He added: "For now, it's the right step."
On Friday, Palestinian officials began receiving payments after months of sporadic disbursements of salaries in Gaza run out of money, with money handed over to the Palestinian enclave by Israel, apparently in suitcases.
The transfer of money authorized by Israel seemed to be part of an agreement that would allow Hamas to end months of often violent protests along the border in exchange for Israel easing the Gaza blockade .
Demonstrations at the border were much quieter on the last two Fridays.
The influx of money was criticized by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, which said it undermined reconciliation efforts with Hamas and its attempts to return to power in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu has also been under political pressure in Israel, including opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who calls him "the Prime Minister's submission to Hamas," which would strengthen the Islamist movement.
Deadly clashes accompanied the main demonstrations that took place on March 30 along the Gaza-Israel border, raising fears of a new war between the Jewish state and the militant leaders of the Strip.
Israeli and Palestinian militants in Gaza have waged three wars since 2008.
At least 221 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire, the majority shot dead during demonstrations and clashes since the start of the demonstrations.
Others died in tank fire or air strikes.
An Israeli soldier was killed along the border with Gaza at that time.
