Israel Mational News reports that senior Hamas terrorists negotiating with Egypt returned to Gaza without a ceasefire document in hand. But they didn't return empty-handed. In fact, one of terror delegation, Iman Taha, was arrested --
caught red-handed by Egyptian border agents trying to smuggle USD 11 million into Gaza. It is widely suspected that the cash came from Iran.
The Jerusalem Post reports that a few hours after the Hamas official was apprehended,
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gave permission for the Palestinian Authority to transfer NIS 170 million to Gaza, over the opposition of Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, in order to pay government officials there.
The Jerusalem Post cites an Israel Radio report that two ministers told Olmert:
They feared the money would make its way into the hands of Hamas members.
The report further stated that Olmert defended the transfer, saying that the funds were tax money which Israel had collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, and it was theirs to distribute.
The Jerusalem Post report continues:
The Prime Minister's Office said it agreed to transfer the funds in accordance with a request by PA Prime Minister Salaam Fayad.
The officials to be paid are mostly Fatah members.
Olmert agreed to Fayad's request following pressure from the United States, Israel Radio further stated.
Israel National News reports this evening that "the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel.... called on Olmert, the army and the Bank of Israel to stop the transfer or risk an urgent appeal to the Supreme Court."
