An initial payment of $12.5 million was transferred to Gush Katif farmers Thursday as part of an arrangement under which Palestinians will take over their greenhouses following completion of the disengagement from the Gaza Strip.
The Economic Cooperation Foundation (ECF), an Israeli organization that coordinates nongovernmental organizations dealing with the peace process, gave the funds to the committee representing the farmers. The money will be distributed to the farmers in the upcoming days after the greenhouses are examined to ensure they were left in good condition.
An additional several million dollar payment is expected within a number of days. The ECF raised the money from a consortium of private donors, headed by the former president of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn.
According to the agreement, farmers who leave their greenhouses operational will receive $4,000 per dunam. The Gaza Strip greenhouses cover an area of 3,000 dunams.
