Israel to resume Gaza pensions
JERUSALEM: Israel will resume paying pensions and social benefits to some 1,000 eligible Gaza Strip residents for the first time since Hamas seized control of the territory, its Defense Ministry said Sunday. “The national insurance benefits and pension payments, which are estimated at approximately two million shekels ($535,000) a month, will be transferred to the Palestinian Authority according to a list of about 1,000 beneficiaries,” the ministry said. To circumvent dealing with Gaza banks, the money would be given to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, which would then transfer it to Gaza, the statement said. The decision to resume the payments was a “humanitarian gesture,” it added.
10 Jordanians plead not guilty
AMMAN: Ten alleged extremists accused of plotting to carry out attacks against Jordan’s Army and intelligence service last year pleaded not guilty at the start of their trial on Sunday. “The 10 men pleaded not guilty a to charges of plotting to carry out terrorist attacks in the kingdom in 2009,” a court official said. “They were arrested last year after allegedly attempting to attack army posts in Jafr and Azraq, east of the kingdom, as well as intelligence officers in Zarqa,” near Amman, he said. The Jordanian suspects “also wanted to kidnap the sons of intelligence officers to press the authorities to release some prisoners,” he said.
— Compiled from agencies
