Netanyahu Accused of Distorting Facts on Qatari Funds to Hamas

An investigative report by Ronen Bergman and Yuval Rubovich, published by Ynet, alleges that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knowingly allowed Qatari funds to be transferred to Hamas, despite warnings from Israeli intelligence agencies (Shin Bet, Aman) and Egypt that a significant portion was directed to the group's military wing. The report claims Netanyahu ignored these warnings.

In response, Likud party representatives and Netanyahu himself have countered that Israeli security chiefs, not Netanyahu, advocated for the Qatari payments, and that Netanyahu initially opposed them. However, Bergman and Rubovich assert that documents, including those released by Netanyahu, paint a different picture, accusing Likud of distorting facts through omissions and partial quotes.

The Qatari funding scheme began in 2018 when the Palestinian Authority stopped payments to Gaza. Publicly, Netanyahu explained the funds were for humanitarian needs, but the investigation claims Hamas diverted approximately $4 million monthly from these funds to its military wing between 2019 and 2021. Furthermore, a separate, secret channel allegedly funneled over $100 million directly to Hamas's military wing.

Bergman and Rubovich detail how Netanyahu's office, in a 55-page document submitted to the State Comptroller and presented to a Knesset committee, selectively quoted source materials to support his narrative. The journalists found that Netanyahu's document omitted crucial context and warnings, such as a Mossad report that, in its full version, indicated Hamas might engage in conflict if necessary, and a clear recommendation from Mossad to avoid concessions.

Despite opposition from then-Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman and then-Mossad head Yossi Cohen, and even the resignation of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman over the issue, Netanyahu reportedly continued the policy. The investigation highlights that Netanyahu's own defense document implicitly acknowledges awareness of the transfers and intelligence warnings, and that security agencies proposed alternative, controlled transfer mechanisms rather than outright blocking the funds, suggesting a deliberate political choice.