Report: Israel Looked Away as Qatar Sent Funds to Hamas

For years, significant funds from Qatar have flowed into the Gaza Strip, with a portion reportedly being diverted by Hamas. According to the New York Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was aware of these payments and may have even facilitated them as part of a strategy that assumed Hamas was not capable of or interested in a large-scale attack.

The report, based on interviews with dozens of current and former government officials, suggests that Israel's leadership misjudged Hamas's capabilities and intentions. While officially intended for humanitarian purposes in Gaza, Israel's intelligence services now believe these funds may have contributed to Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel.

Qatar has denied these allegations, stating its contributions to Gaza are humanitarian and have had a positive impact. The report also references Netanyahu's past statements where he viewed Hamas as a useful counterweight to the Palestinian Authority and a means to reduce pressure on Israel.

Further details reveal that Netanyahu's government previously defended Qatar's role in Washington, claiming it contributed to stability in Gaza. However, Israel's Mossad intelligence agency reportedly harbored concerns about the lack of oversight on the money's destination, with its former chief describing the funding as having become "out of control."