Netanyahu Aware of Qatari Funds Funneled to Hamas Prior to October 7: Shocking Revelations
Recent revelations from an N12 report have brought to light that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was acutely aware of Qatari funding flowing into the Gaza Strip to support Hamas before the cataclysmic events of October 7. This report raises urgent questions about the Israeli government’s response and prioritization of national security.
The Backdrop of Cash Transfers
The Qatari financial support aimed at Gaza has been a contentious issue for years, with reports indicating that these funds were funneled in suitcases stuffed with cash—a method that epitomizes the covert nature of these transactions. Even more striking is the assertion that this financial flow was conducted with the dual aim of maintaining apparent peaceful relations with Israel while effectively supporting Hamas.
Warnings Received by Netanyahu
First Alert: A Red Flag in 2019
The first indication that Gaza was receiving substantial cash transfers came to Netanyahu in mid-2019, just months after the initial influx of Qatari funds. Sources indicated that Mohammed Deif, then the military head of Hamas, was diverting these funds directly to the organization. Each transfer reportedly amounted to $10 million, a staggering sum that raises eyebrows about the Israeli government’s oversight and strategic response.
Second Alert: Escalating Concerns in 2020
The second critical warning was issued in 2020 by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), revealing that Deif was siphoning off $4 million from four separate Qatari transfer installments. In the wake of this alarming intelligence, discussions regarding potential crises with Qatar were reportedly initiated. However, the narrative from Qatar maintained a defensive posture, claiming ignorance regarding Hamas’s misappropriation of these funds, allowing the cash transfers to continue unabated.
Israel’s Decision to Halt Funding
The ongoing flow of Qatari support was eventually curtailed in November 2023, when Hamas began channeling payments to officials using Egyptian fuel financed by Qatar. This shift in funding suggests a strategic pivot but raises further issues regarding the monitoring of financial aid to entities like Hamas.
Controversial Responses to the Revelations
The implications of this report have prompted significant backlash. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) rejected claims that Netanyahu was ever presented with intelligence reports detailing these problematic cash flows. The PMO emphasized that no formal documents indicated that Qatari grant money was being diverted to terrorist activities, insisting these funds were intended solely for fuel, welfare, and public salaries.
A PMO spokesperson stated, "The Prime Minister was informed that starting in March 2020, Hamas was diverting funds from its military budget sourced from other means, not from the Qatari grant." This stance raises questions about transparency and accountability in ensuring that foreign assistance doesn’t inadvertently support terrorism.
Conclusion: Questions that Remain Unanswered
The recent disclosure not only traces a troubling path of financial support flowing to Hamas but also marks a critical moment for Israeli leadership. As more information unfolds, the Israeli public and international observers are likely to demand clearer and more proactive measures to ensure that funds allocated to humanitarian needs do not empower extremist factions.
For ongoing analysis and updates regarding this evolving situation, check sources such as The Jerusalem Post or N12.
Engaging with the complexities of foreign aid, national security, and terrorism funding is crucial in these turbulent times, emphasizing the need for ensures rigorous checks on the flow of monetary assistance in conflict zones.
