Israeli soldiers are seen next to the border fence on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, as Palestinians protest on the Gaza side of the border, Israel April 5, 2018.. (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
Israel and Qatar have reached an agreement to establish a naval route between the Palestinian Gaza Strip and Cyprus, a source familiar with the agreement told the Lebanese al-Akhbar newspaper on November 10.
According to the source, the naval route, which will supply the Gaza Strip with needed goods will be under international supervision. Israel will also be allowed to monitor the route either by having physical presence at it or through security procedures similar to the ones agreed upon in the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, where monitoring is being carried by security cameras.
Israel, Qatar and the Hamas Movement, which controls the Gaza Strip, have not commented on al-Akhbar claims so far. However, the tension around Gaza declined during the last week.
Two days ago, Israel allowed Qatari Ambassador to Gaza, Mohammed Al Emadi, to transfer 15mln USD to the Gaza Strip. The money was reportedly used to pay the salaries of Hamas Movement members and the employees of the local administration. Hamas is expected to receive more similar payments in upcoming months.
If the report is confirmed, the agreement will be a huge shift in the declared policy of the Hamas Movement, which supposedly rejects any talks with Israel.
