GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — As he was delivering another $10 million to the Gaza Strip recently, Qatari Ambassador Mohammed al-Emadi said Hamas and Israel have no interest in war and prefer peace and calm. He told Reuters that if citizens feel economically comfortable, they will no longer be haunted by the "ghost of war."

Emadi made these statements Aug. 24 after dropping off Qatari funds to Gaza. The money will be distributed to 100,000 poor families, with each receiving $100. This gift was just the most recent; Qatar has provided more than $1 billion in cash and relief projects to the Gaza Strip in recent years. For example, in October 2018, Qatar offered urgent humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip worth $150 million.

But some Palestinians worry that all this money is a payoff in exchange for peace instead of protests as they seek to return to their homes in what is now Israel. In November, some people participating in the Great March of Return protests along the border with Israel damaged Emadi's vehicle by throwing stones to express their rejection of his presence in the Gaza Strip. They saw the funds he delivered as an attempt to put a price on their cooperation.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem agreed that Hamas is not interested in engaging in a war with Israel but told Al-Monitor the faction is entitled to defend its people and fight for their freedom. He said Palestinians rightfully want Israel to lift its economically devastating blockade on the Gaza Strip.