Israel sending new cash into Gaza

GAZA, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Israel says it has started to replace worn-out currency in Gaza with truckloads of brand new bills. The announcement over Army Radio Tuesday said armored cars have been entering Gaza for the past two weeks and swapping new shekel bills for old. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said the move would loosen up the cash flow in Gaza and head off any development of an independent monetary system by the Palestinian population. The money won't go to the Hamas government but will instead replace cash already in the hands of the population. Sources told Haaretz that since the Israeli blockade began two years ago, torn and worn-out Israeli bills have been... [read full story]