JERUSALEM (JTA) — An armored truck brought $25 million in Israeli shekels, or nearly $6 1/2 million, from the West Bank into Gaza.
Lawmakers and families of terror victims criticized Thursday’s transfer, saying the money would be used to fund terror.
Israel has not allowed cash into Gaza since October. Last week there was not enough cash available to pay the salaries of thousands of Palestinian Authority employees.
Kadima Knesset member Tzahi Hanegbi told Army Radio that no money should be transferred to Hamas until it releases kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.
Headquarters for the Release of Gilad Shalit, a national organization working on behalf of the kidnapped soldier, marked Shalit’s 900th day in captivity Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told students at a Tel Aviv high school she could not be sure Shalit would return. "There is always a risk of casualties, and it’s not always possible to bring everyone back home," she reportedly said.
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