Qatari Envoy Brings Cash to Gaza, But Distribution Lags

A Qatari envoy has delivered $25 million to the Gaza Strip to help shore up a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian territory’s Hamas rulers.

An official at the Qatari Gaza Reconstruction Committee said Monday that part of the money was being delivered to thousands of Gaza’s neediest families, while other funds were going to U.N. infrastructure projects. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

However, many Gazans stood on line outside post offices for their disbursements, only to be turned away, and frustrations were reportedly widespread.

Kamal Musbah, 46, told AFP at midday he had been waiting since the early morning outside a post office in Gaza City.

“We don’t know anything yet,” he said.

Musbah and around 200 other people erupted with complaints when they were told in the afternoon to return the next day.

More than 100,000 families are supposed to each receive payments of $100, according to a Qatari official. The other $15 million has been earmarked for infrastructure and cash-for-work projects, the official said.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassam says that with the arrival of Qatari mediator Mohammed al-Emadi, “a broader phase of understandings to break the siege will be implemented.”

Al-Emadi regularly visits Gaza to implement indirect understandings between Israel and Hamas.