US President Donald Trump’s special Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, who recently visited Israel’s communities on the Gaza perimeter and toured the terror tunnel the IDF exploded, claimed Sunday that Iran provided $100 million annually to Hamas.
“Imagine what the people of Gaza could do with the $100 million Iran gives Hamas annually that Hamas uses for weapons and tunnels to attack Israel!” he tweeted.
“Iran spends almost a billion dollars a year sponsoring terrorism in Lebanon, Israel and West Bank/Gaza. This blood money only increases violence and does nothing to help the Palestinian people,” President Trump’s envoy added.
“The corrupt regime in Tehran squanders the resources of the Iranian people on military adventures throughout the region instead of investing at home and promoting peace abroad,” he accused.
IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said at the weekly Cabinet meeting Sunday that no actors sought war or another round of hostilities in Gaza, but there was growing concern over a conflagration happening nonetheless due to the circumstances in the strip—the precarious humanitarian situation and the crisis in Hamas-Fatah relations
Eisenkot’s statements came during a security overview he had provided the ministers as part of what has been called “deepening their knowledge base.”
The chief of staff added that efforts should be made to prevent a total humanitarian collapse in Gaza, but that humanitarian assistance—which the IDF supported—needed to be kept separate from a complete rehabilitation of Gaza, which should be conditioned on returning the bodies of IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin as well as the Israeli civilians held captive by Hamas.
The army chief further noted that the humanitarian crisis there has worsened with added intensity since Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has begun implementing a policy of disengagement from Gaza.
The crisis was especially grave, Eisenkot said, as it pertained to problems with water and power supplies. On the same topic, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented that Israel would be “glad if international organizations and bodies assisted Gaza.”
In a ceremony for the promotion of Lior Carmeli, head of the IDF’s Computer Service Directorate, to the rank of major-general, Eisenkot added, “The IDF’s superiority over its enemies is plain to see, but we remain aware of the very real risk of combustibility that exists on several fronts, which requires us to act with sound judgment, creativity, cunning, initiative and daring.
“I’m counting on you—especially during these complex times—to serve as an example for professional, responsible work. If we are required to operate the IDF’s forces, we will do so and conquer any foe.”
After visiting the Gaza perimeter and touring the tunnel, Greenblatt tweeted, “Hamas wastes resources on tunnels & rockets to attack Israel, instead of helping the people of Gaza by getting the lights on, the water flowing & the economy growing.”
“Hamas spews hateful rhetoric & foments a vicious cycle of violence. Gaza deserves better!” Greenblatt added.
Source » ynetnews