Time Magazine Investigation Details Israel's Role in Qatar-Gaza Funds Transfers
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
An investigation by Time magazine details Israel's significant role in facilitating Qatari financial transfers to Gaza over many years, including direct involvement in managing the funds. The arrangement, supported by multiple Israeli governments and international bodies, aimed to improve the humanitarian situation and ensure regional stability. Despite public criticism, Israel pushed for the continuation of these payments, even shortly before the October 7th attacks, seeking to maintain leverage over Hamas.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Time magazine revealed Israel's extensive involvement in managing Qatari funds transferred to Gaza.
- A 2020 letter from former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen thanked Qatar for its humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
- The payment mechanism, initiated in 2007, gained direct Israeli government involvement under Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Israel's National Security Council urged continued Qatari payments during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
- Mossad chief David Barnea requested an extension of Qatari funding two weeks before the October 7th attacks.
- Israel sought to use continued aid to Gaza as leverage against Hamas, according to the report.
A comprehensive investigation by Time magazine has revealed the extent of Israel's involvement in facilitating Qatari financial transfers to the Gaza Strip over the years, particularly in the period leading up to the October 7th attacks. The report highlights a 2020 letter from former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to the Emir of Qatar, expressing gratitude for Qatar's humanitarian efforts in Gaza and their role in improving the humanitarian situation and ensuring regional stability.
According to sources within the Trump and Biden administrations, the payment arrangement received support from successive Israeli governments, the Palestinian Authority, the UN, and European powers. The transfers began in 2007 under Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after Hamas took control of Gaza. Initially, the Israeli government was not directly involved, but this changed under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government approved a mechanism by 2012 that gave Israel a direct role in managing the Qatari funds.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Israel's National Security Council urged Qatari entities to continue the payments despite public criticism from the Israeli government, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the flow of aid for regional stability. This mechanism reportedly continued under Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who had previously been a vocal critic, with sources suggesting his objections were aimed at his domestic audience.
An Israeli representative reportedly assured a Biden envoy that there were "no problems" and that Israel wished to continue the arrangement. The investigation further reveals that just two weeks before the October 7th attacks, Mossad chief David Barnea traveled to Doha to request an extension of the funding. Qatari officials agreed but warned that it would be the final transfer, believing the mechanism had become obsolete due to rising tensions between far-right Israeli ministers and Hamas. Barnea requested an additional two months, arguing that continued aid to Gazans provided Hamas with something to lose, thereby giving Israel leverage over the organization.
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