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Hamas official seized with $800k
Palestinian border police briefly detained a Hamas official accused of smuggling more than $800,000 (£427,000) into the Gaza Strip from Egypt. Dozens of Hamas gunmen rushed to the border, guarded by presidential troops, raising fears of fresh fighting. Latest reports say the money has been released and put under the control of the Hamas-run interior ministry. sure....after Fatah got their cut The Hamas-led Palestinian Authority faces a severe financial crisis because of an international aid embargo. Israel has also been withholding about $55m in tax collected monthly on behalf of the authority since Hamas came to power in January. The Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, was apparently trying to smuggle the money under his clothes. Hamas says it is unable to transfer cash to Palestinian territory to fund government activities and pay salaries, as banks fear US sanctions for dealing with the militant group. Mr Abu Zuhri is a well known figure because of his frequent appearances in the Arabic media. "Sami Abu Zuhri did not declare the money. The Palestinian security and customs officials found it and confiscated it," the observer, Julio de la Guardia, said. LOLOLOL Travellers crossing through Rafah must declare all sums over $2,000 and explain the origin of the cash, Mr de la Guardia told reporters. Mr Zuhri was said to have been returning to the Gaza Strip from Qatar, which has previously pledged to donate $50m to the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has complained that US and European sanctions make it impossible for Qatar and other donors to transfer money to the Palestinian government because of the fears of financial institutions. Posted by: Frank G 2006-05-19 |
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