MIDDLE EAST: Israel yesterday accepted a decision by major Middle East peace brokers to resume some aid payments to the Palestinians - a move that could ease intense economic pressure on the Hamas-led government.
The Quartet of international mediators - the US, Russia, EU and the UN - agreed on Tuesday to create the new mechanism for funnelling funds to the Palestinians and will run it for a three-month trial period.
The Hamas-led government said it appreciated the Quartet's efforts to ease the burden on Palestinians but said it could have gone further, and in a statement criticised the fact that its own authority could be bypassed.
"We were hoping that their decision could be more positive in dealing with the Palestinian government since it is an elected government that represents the Palestinian people."
The move follows fears expressed by some Quartet members that more pressure on the Hamas-led administration could cause the Palestinian government to collapse.
Meanwhile, Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal urged supporters to send it arms, fighters and money to back its fight against Israel. "We ask all the people in surrounding Arab countries, the Muslim world and everyone who wants to support us to send weapons, money and men," Mr Meshaal said in a speech at an event in Qatar. - (Reuters)