Israel withholds Gaza funds from Palestinian tax transfer

Israel announced on Thursday that it will continue with the transfer of tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the occupied West Bank, but withhold funds intended for the Gaza Strip.

Israel says it’s because the PA assists in covering public sector salaries and electricity costs.

As part of interim peace agreements, Israel is responsible for collecting taxes on behalf of the Palestinians and typically transfers these funds to the PA on a monthly basis, subject to approval by the finance minister.

The most recent transfer was scheduled to be released by the end of October.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich withheld the funds, accusing the PA of supporting Hamas, which he referred to as a “Nazi terror organisation.”