Hamas is scheduled to receive the second out of six rounds of Qatari funds to the Gaza Strip. The money will be earmarked to pay the salaries of civilian Hamas employees and to send stipends to about 50,000 families in need. Qatar committed to sending about 50 million US-dollars within half a year for this purpose. As part of the arrangement between Jerusalem and Doha authorities; Israel disqualified the names of about 5,000 Hamas civilian employees, and anyone who is eligible for the money will receive from 100 to 1,200 dollars. Meanwhile, Qatari envoy Mohammed al-Emadi entered the Gaza Strip last night and met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniya at his home in the neighborhood of Shati, during which they discussed the transfer of the Qatari pledged-funds. Following the meeting, a Hamas source revealed to TV7 that the Palestinian Authority had refused to take part in transferring the funds to the Gaza Strip and alternative arrangements to fulfill the Qatari pledge were discussed, through Egyptian mediation.
