UN envoy says impact of funds transferred to Hamas, while temporary, are already being felt

The UN’s special envoy for the Middle East peace process says the impact of the Qatari fuel funds, which Israel allowed to be transferred to Gaza earlier this month, is already being felt.

“The impact has been immediate — the water supply has increased; risk of sewage overflow has been reduced; hospitals are less dependent on precarious generators; street lights are on again; children can study and play more; and families have more cash in hand to meet their daily needs,” says Nikolay Mladenov in his briefing to the Security Council.

“These improvements, however, are temporary. They provide much-needed relief, but can do little to reverse the long-standing, structural problems affecting Gaza, driven by years of crippling closures and Hamas control,” he adds.