Tensions are high between the Gaza-based Hamas terrorist organization and the oil-rich Gulf state of Qatar following envoy Mohammed al-Emadi's refusal to hand over grants for Palestinian public sector officials in the Strip, the local Sada news agency reported on Saturday.
Hamas sources told Sada that al-Emadi "conveyed a clear message" to Hamas, explaining that "Qatar cannot always" transfer funds to the Strip. "Permanent and better solution must be sought," al-Emadi was quoted in the report as saying to the terror group's leadership.
Qatar halted periodic payments of some $7 million from the Gulf to Gaza for the civil servants' salaries some three months ago, and negotiations on resuming the payments have reportedly reached a dead end.
Qatar reluctant to fund Gaza's sole power plant
In addition, Qatar is reluctant to transfer funds needed by Hamas to operate a fourth generator of Gaza's sole power plant, the report stated.
Gaza suffers from a real crisis around the availability of the energy resources needed to operate the only power plant in the Strip. Providing the population of the Gaza Strip with a 24/7 power supply requires about 600 megawatts of electricity, according to a 2020 report published by B’Tselem.
However, the Gaza Strip receives only 180 megawatts—120 directly from Israel via 10 power lines, and 60 generated by Gaza’s power plant with the Qatari-funded fuel provided by Israel.
The talks were reportedly held during al-Emadi's visit to the Gaza Strip last week, with goals to "calm tensions" with Israel and "check on the progress of projects supervised by Qatari-backed Gaza Reconstruction Committee," according to a Fatah-linked website.