Palestinian President Abbas Meets Israeli Officials in Egypt
21 May 2006
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has met with top Israeli officials in Egypt, the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the militant Hamas organization took control of the Palestinian government in March.
Mr. Abbas met with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni Sunday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Israeli foreign minister said she told Mr. Abbas Israel does not intend to punish the Palestinian people for choosing a Hamas-led government. She said Israel had decided to release $11 million in tax money it had withheld from the Palestinians in a bid to ease a deepening fiscal crisis in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Cabinet approved the transfer of funds today. Israeli officials say the money will be used to buy medical supplies for Palestinian hospitals.
Earlier today, officials in the West Bank city of Nablus said a Palestinian woman was shot dead during an Israeli incursion in the Balata refugee camp.
Medical officials say the 48-year-old woman was apparently hit by a stray bullet during an exchange of gunfire between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen.
An Israeli army spokesman confirmed the incursion and said Palestinians had opened fire, but he denied that the troops shot back.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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