Hamas govt signs deal with Israeli fuel supplier

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2006

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) — The Hamas-led government has signed a contract with a private Israeli firm to supply fuel despite the Israeli government's boycott of what it considers a "terrorist" administration. Interim finance minister Samir Abu Eisheh said he had signed the contract in the name of his government with Paz, to replace Israeli firm Dor Alon which has provided fuel to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank for 12 years.

The deal comes despite the Israeli government's absolute refusal to deal with the Hamas-led administration. "We signed the agreement several days ago after more than four months of negotiations," said Abu Eisheh, who has been stand-in finance minister since Omar Abdelrazek was arrested as part of an Israeli clampdown against Hamas. "We negotiated with...