The Palestinian Ma’an News Network reports that Hamas has placed its supporters and paramilitary units on a high level of preparedness for the festivities. The Hamas-affiliated interior ministry in Gaza – in compliance with the request of Hamas leadership – granted permission for the festivities and will also be dispatching police units throughout the strip to maintain order as celebrations get under way.
Most Gazans, however, might be more concerned about the latest delivery of cash from the West Bank. Al-Jazeera reports that this is the first delivery of cash permitted by Israel to the embargoed territory since October, a circumstance that has helped sustain a 'severe cash crisis’. However, some believe that the $25m dollars will only provide short-term relief. The money is for the payment of government employees of the Palestinian Authority, which ironically was ousted last year, but still pays the salaries of 70,000 civil servants in Gaza.