Hamas foreign minister carries 20 mln dollars into Gaza

GAZA, June 14 (Reuters) Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar today brought suitcases stuffed with 20 million dollars in cash into the Gaza Strip through its border with Egypt, Palestinian officials said.

The Rafah border crossing with Egypt is controlled by Palestinian guards loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah.

Security sources said Zahar had 12 suitcases with him and refused to let anyone open them.

International donors and Israel have frozen funds to the Palestinian Authority since it came under Hamas control after the Islamic militant group won election in January.

Palestinian banks, fearing U.S. sanctions, have refused to handle Authority funds.

REUTERS CH BD1843