A source in the Hamas terrorist organization said Tuesday that its operatives were paid with part of the funds transferred by Israel to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

“The [Hamas] Executive Force was a part of the security services which received part of their salaries, just like the other forces,” said the Hamas source. An international boycott of the Hamas-led PA government is still in force inasmuch as the terror group continues to refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist, renounce terrorism and honor past PA agreements.

Israel released $100 million to Abbas as part of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s “good-will gesture” to the PA in the wake of his first meeting with the PA Chairman last December. Abbas aides had no comment on the report.