Israel transferred millions of dollars worth of tax funds to the new Palestinian government, allowing it to pay its workers in full for the first time in a year _ while skipping the ones who work for the Hamas Group in Gaza. Transfer of the funds Sunday marked the first concrete gesture of Israeli support for moderate President Mahmoud Abbas since the Hamas took control of Gaza by force in mid-June. The Israeli government said in a statement that 500 million shekels ($119 million, ¤88 million) were handed over, and Palestinian officials confirmed that they received it. The Israelis said a further transfer would be made in a few days, the Associated Press reported.
