Qatar Blames Israel for Funds Reaching Hamas

Qatar has issued a strong statement refuting claims that its aid money reached Hamas, as reported by The New Yorker. Doha asserts that all Qatari financial aid, including food, medicine, and fuel, was channeled to Palestinian civilians in Gaza through mechanisms coordinated with Israeli authorities and international partners. Qatar insists that no funds entered Gaza without Israeli involvement at every stage.

The Qatari government stated that its aid has been provided for years under various Israeli administrations and with the knowledge of Israeli security agencies. If any funds did reach Hamas, Qatar claims, it was not related to their aid and Israel, which supervised the transfers under Prime Ministers Bennett, Lapid, and Netanyahu, bears responsibility. Qatar views the New Yorker report as part of a disinformation campaign against the country, alleging that elements, including the Israeli far-right, have fabricated documents to incriminate Qatar.

This statement comes amid reports, including a joint investigation by Ynet and Yediot Ahronot, suggesting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed as early as 2019 that Qatari funds, which he initiated and encouraged, were also being directed towards Hamas's military buildup. Intelligence assessments indicated that 40-50% of Hamas's military budget originated from these funds, with additional secret channels also identified. Egypt also reportedly warned Israel about this diversion, but Netanyahu allegedly ignored these warnings.

A senior intelligence source, speaking anonymously, confirmed that evidence of official transfers to Hamas's military wing was documented and presented to the Prime Minister, who allegedly took no action and continued the policy. Netanyahu's office responded to the reports by calling them recycled lies, stating that all security officials supported the Qatari grants for civilian needs to maintain quiet in Gaza. They added that Netanyahu ordered a halt to the Qatari grants at the start of Operation Guardian of the Walls, but the Bennett-Lapid government reinstated them.