The report quoted a Palestinian Arab source, who said that in the message, Hamas demanded that Israel expand its economic and civilian gestures, relieving some of the pressure on Gazans. This, Hamas said, would be compensation for what the terror group suffered during Operation Shield and Arrow, when Israel fought Islamic Jihad.
Hamas did not intervene during the operation, and is not expected to start up with Israel during Jerusalem Day celebrations.
Among Hamas' demands are an increase in the number of Gazans allowed to work in Israel, additional hours of electricity for Gaza residents, and an increase in the amount of merchandise and dual-purpose materials allowed to enter Gaza.
Israel places limits on the amount of material entering Gaza if the material in question can be used for either terror or civilian infrastructure.
The Palestinian Authority and Gaza owe Israel millions of shekels in unpaid electric bills. Meanwhile, Israeli citizens have recently seen their electric bills jump. At the same time, Gaza officials use the area's electricity quota to provide themselves with 24/7 electricity while allowing lay Gazans only a few short hours of electricity each day.
Sources in Gaza said, "Hamas does not want another war right now, but they do want to receive something from Israel in compensation for the price that they paid during the last battle, when they distanced themselves from the fighting and were criticized by the public for being 'traitors.'"
The sources also said that the response to the Flag March in Jerusalem will be a parade held Friday in Gaza. In Gaza, a campaign is calling on residents to hold a "Flag March" of their own, waving the Palestinian Authority flag, Israel Hayom added.
