U.S. threatens to cut off Gaza aid

[oberliner]

The U.S. State Department threatened to withdraw more than $100 million in aid to Gaza if Hamas leaders do not end demands to audit American charities working there.

The withdrawal, if enacted, would affect spending in Gaza on health care, agriculture and water infrastructure.

The State Department message, sent Thursday and reported by The New York Times, came after Hamas suspended operations of the International Medical Corps on Sunday for refusing to submit to an audit conducted by Hamas.

Hamas has increased surveillance over nongovernmental organizations for months now, causing rising tension. In June, Hamas demanded that groups allow its officials to audit their finances. United States policy, however, forbids direct contact between NGOs and groups labeled as terrorist by the State Department, as Hamas is, and would lead to an end to humanitarian aid.

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/08/12/3088964/us-sends-hamas-message-threatening-to-cut-off-gaza-aid

[Enrique]

1. why don't they want Hamas to audit them?

i'm not following the reasoning.

[oberliner]

2. 'Hamas, US reach compromise on Gaza aid'

A day after the United States said it had cut aid to Gaza, a Hamas official said the Islamist group and the United States have reached a compromise that will allow USAID to continue its operations in the Gaza Strip, AFP reported.

The deal was reached by Hamas and USAID "through the United Nations," the Hamas official said.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=233619