The Hamas government has a problem paying January salaries to security personnel and other public employees in Gaza. One officer told Reuters that wages have only been paid to those whose salary is less than a thousand shekels ($260).

A senior source in the Palestinian Authority treasury said the delay is due to technical difficulties, with the smaller salaries being paid first. He expressed hope that Hamas employees will be paid by the end of the week.

Israeli journalist Avi Tarango says the cash shortage is caused by the increased importation of goods from Egypt, which has reached a billion dollars a year.