Hamas leader’s threat: resume Qatar payments or we’ll escalate

Israel, UN fear cash would be diverted for weapons; manager of Erez crossing urges re-opening; activist claims one in five Gazans don’t have running water

Hamas leader to Israel: Transfer $US30m from Qatar or head to escalation (Jerusalem Post)
Israel and the UN are particularly concerned about the resumption of Qatar cash payments out of fear that Hamas would divert them for military purposes

Hamas says UN talks to bolster ceasefire going nowhere (Times of Israel)
Terror group’s Gaza chief Sinwar says Israel ‘did not get our people’s message’ after meeting with United Nations special envoy

‘Open Gaza immediately,’ says manager of Israel-Gaza crossing (972)
The Erez Crossing manager debunks myth that restrictions on Gaza uphold security, believes Israel should engage directly with Hamas

'This is a catastrophe'; one out of five Gazans has no access to running water (Haaretz)

Israel to allow agricultural exports from Gaza in first since escalation (Haaretz)
With the approval of Israel's political leaders, there will also be a one-time export of Gazan textiles to Israeli businesses

Gaza Pepsi factory shuts down, owners blame Israeli restrictions (Ynet)
Directors at plant — which has operated continuously since 1961 — say closure stems from raw material crunch under limited imports into Palestinian enclave, forcing them to send home some 250 workers