Israel Facilitated Nearly $2 Billion in Qatari Aid to Gaza, Leaked Documents Reveal

Previously unpublished documents, including correspondence between Israeli officials and Qatari leadership, reveal the extent of Israel's involvement in facilitating the transfer of funds from Qatar to the Gaza Strip. A TIME magazine investigation found that Israeli governments not only approved the aid but also helped shape the mechanism, supervised fund distribution, and worked to ensure its continuation. Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, nearly $2 billion has been transferred from Qatar over more than a decade, funding fuel, electricity, salaries, and direct financial assistance to Palestinian families.

Israel's direct involvement in the mechanism reportedly expanded during Benjamin Netanyahu's premiership, with his government promoting and maintaining aid arrangements even as some Israeli figures publicly criticized Doha. A key piece of evidence cited is a 2020 letter from then-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to Qatar's Emir, Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, expressing appreciation for Qatar's aid to Gaza and its contribution to humanitarian improvement, stability, and security. This letter highlights the discrepancy between public criticism of Qatari funding in Israel and the behind-the-scenes cooperation, where Israeli officials sometimes publicly condemned the transfers while privately urging Qatar to continue them.

By 2018, Qatar had transferred approximately $1.1 billion to Gaza, according to data presented to Israeli ministers. That year, Qatar demanded formal documentation of the arrangements after Israeli officials accused it of funding Hamas. This led to a more structured mechanism involving Israel, Qatar, and the UN, through which Qatar funded fuel and electricity purchases from Israel, transferred funds for projects via the UN, and provided monthly payments to needy families. Israeli and American sources cited in the report indicate Israel was involved in verifying family eligibility and supervising the distribution mechanism.

Even after Netanyahu lost power in 2021, the policy largely continued. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who had previously opposed the cash transfers, eliminated the suitcase cash delivery method but did not halt all Qatari aid. Israel reportedly sought to preserve the existing arrangement during Bennett's term. In the weeks before the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly visited Doha and asked Qatar to resume aid funding, with the Qataris agreeing but stating it would be the last time. Barnea sought an additional two-month extension, believing continued civilian aid could incentivize Hamas to maintain quiet and provide Israel leverage.

The October 7th attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, drastically altered the situation. The long-standing policy, developed with Qatar and international actors, has since become a focal point of intense public and political criticism. Critics of Netanyahu argue he preferred maintaining Hamas's rule to prevent a Palestinian state, while Netanyahu has denied this, stating the funding's purpose was to prevent a humanitarian disaster and maintain basic civilian functions in Gaza.

Qatar has rejected claims that its aid funded Hamas, stating all financial aid and humanitarian equipment were transferred through mechanisms coordinated with Israel and international partners. The investigation emerges amid a political storm in Israel concerning Qatar and the involvement of Netanyahu's associates, including an incident where an advisor reportedly asked ChatGPT to devise a strategy to improve Qatar's image.