Qatar Aid to Gaza Sparks Political Firestorm in Israel

Revelations about Qatar's continued involvement in the Gaza Strip, including over $100 million in aid since October 7, have ignited a political storm in Israel. Opposition figures are sharply criticizing the government's approval of funds, fuel, and equipment for local aid organizations, which they claim indirectly strengthen Hamas under the guise of humanitarian assistance.

Member of Knesset Oded Forer of the Yisrael Beiteinu party demanded explanations from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the ongoing financial transfers, even after the October 7th attacks. Forer argued that those who approved funds before the attacks must account for subsequent decisions, stating that money reaching Hamas does not become innocent simply by passing through Doha. He emphasized that those aiming to destroy the terrorist organization would not allow $100 million to reach it.

His party colleague, MK Yulia Malinovsky, escalated the criticism, accusing the government of continuing past policies. She labeled Netanyahu "the father of the conception" and alleged that he, along with ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, are persisting on the path that led to the October 7th massacre. Malinovsky called the approval of fuel for Gaza "complete loss of control" and declared the Prime Minister a "real danger to Israel's security."

The "Am Israel" party, led by Ofer Winter, also voiced strong criticism, asserting that the reports prove the "conception", referring to a flawed strategic approach, still persists. The party noted that after three years of war, Israel has not defeated Hamas, achieved voluntary migration from Gaza, and is now facing an imminent security escalation in the West Bank. They called for a shift to a decisive policy and proposed Winter as the next Defense Minister, framing the choice as between Winter and decisive action versus the continuation of the "conception."

According to Qatari authorities, aid transferred to Gaza since the war began includes 30 million liters of fuel, tens of thousands of meals, and debris removal projects involving Hamas mechanisms. Qatar also provided tens of thousands of tents, food packages, and winter supplies, along with infrastructure projects via the Qatari Red Crescent. Officially, these funds were for humanitarian projects, with Israel assuming that preventing a humanitarian crisis would allow continued military pressure. However, critics argue that the funds indirectly benefited Hamas by relieving it of responsibility for civilian needs and freeing up its budget, with some supplies directly reaching Hamas operatives.