$400 Million: Hamas Accumulated Debts and Demanded the Peace Council Pay Them
It has come to the attention of "Hayom" that the terrorist organization has stopped or cut payments to civilian suppliers and halved the salaries of officials. Hamas requested an advance to fund salaries but was refused. Under the 15-point agreement, the technocratic committee will be able to address legitimate debts gradually, subject to in-depth review.
In recent months, the Hamas organization has stopped payments to companies and suppliers in the Gaza Strip and cut the salaries of civil administration employees, knowing that these debts would be funded by the Peace Council. It has come to the attention of "Hayom" that this was one of Hamas's main demands to the Council's representatives and the mediators — to pay the "civilian" debts instead of Hamas. The terrorist organization claimed that its resources were depleted and that it was unable to pay these debts.
The 15-point agreement explicitly states:
"Upon receiving its full powers in the Gaza Strip, 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 assess 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 to be set by the committee."
Hamas, as mentioned, has stopped or cut payments to civilian companies and suppliers, including communication and fuel suppliers for power plants. At the same time, the organization cut the salaries of civil administration officials in half, most of whom, by the way, are not actually working due to the lack of civil services for residents following the war.
The cut in salaries and pensions drew sharp criticism of Hamas, but the organization silenced it with violent means, as is its custom.
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 in which Hamas's government managed civilian funds and collected taxes from Gaza merchants, before the debts are paid.
"We are aware that Hamas had significant financial sources, partly due to the takeover of aid trucks and the collection of taxes for both civil administration and military needs, and this will be taken into account. However, it should be remembered that the ultimate goal is the disarmament of the organization and the neutralization of its influence — while transferring control to the technocratic committee," the source said.
