Mediators to Hamas: Denying the 15-point document is 'just statements'
Palestinian sources claim that mediators clarified to the terrorist organization that the US administration is determined to advance the agreement in Gaza even at the cost of a confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Hamas has stopped or cut payments to civilian suppliers and halved the salaries of civil servants.
Palestinian sources told the Qatari newspaper 'Al-Araby Al-Jadeed' that mediators conveyed to Hamas that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks regarding the denial of the 15-point document are 'just statements'. According to the sources, the mediators added that the plan and the agreement will be implemented as agreed. According to the report, the mediators told the terrorist organization that the US administration is serious about achieving a solution in Gaza 'even if it angers Netanyahu', and that what was agreed upon will be realized without any changes. Alongside this, the sources said that 'the resolution of disputed issues will be postponed until after the Knesset elections on October 27'.
Meanwhile, in recent months, the terrorist organization Hamas has stopped payments to supplier companies in Gaza, and the cuts to the salaries of civil administration employees were made with the knowledge that these debts would be financed by the Peace Council. 'Israel Hayom' has learned that this was one of Hamas's main demands to the Council's representatives and the mediators — the payment of 'civilian' debts instead of Hamas, with the terrorist organization claiming that its resources are depleted and that it is unable to pay these debts.
In the 15-point agreement, it is explicitly written that: Upon receiving its full powers in Gaza, the National Committee for the Management of Gaza (the Palestinian technocratic government) will maintain the continuity of civil institutions and public services. All public employees will receive legal, fair, and respectful treatment while maintaining their rights. The Committee will work to evaluate legitimate obligations to suppliers, contractors, and other parties — up to a total amount of no more than 400 million US dollars — and will address them. The implementation of these measures will be carried out gradually, over three years, in accordance with the priorities set by the Committee.
A source familiar with the contacts with Hamas and the 15-point document says that the organization demanded an advance on the debt funds to finance salaries but was refused. According to the source, the intention is to thoroughly examine these debts, as well as the manner of managing the civilian funds of the Hamas government and the collection of taxes from Gaza merchants before debts are paid.
In response to a question as to why Hamas agreed to sign the handover of weapons, its main symbol, the source says that its senior officials were convinced that they were at a dead end and that there is no point in continuing to control 40% of the destroyed Gaza with its million and a half displaced persons living in tents. The source added that the Israeli insistence on both the handover of weapons and the non-commencement of reconstruction before the handover finally permeated to Hamas after both the mediators and other figures, such as former senior Palestinian official Mohammed Dahlan, clarified to them that if the weapons were not handed over, Israel would resume fighting. The continuation of targeted killings also had a strong influence on Hamas's decision to agree to the handover. According to diplomatic and intelligence sources, there are indications that senior Hamas officials transferred funds from the Strip to crypto wallets and disguised bank accounts of the organization and some of its senior officials, some of whom are inside and some outside the Strip.
