Israel to release PA grant as part of Abbas deal

Israel plans to turn over $100 million (€77 million) in frozen tax funds to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas by Friday, an official said. The money is part of Israel's strategy to boost the moderate Palestinian leader in his standoff with Hamas, the official said. The money will include funds for humanitarian assistance and to beef up Abbas' Presidential Guard, which has clashed with Hamas gunmen in recent weeks. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media and spoke on condition of anonymity.