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For years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government enabled millions in Qatari cash to enter Gaza, aimed at maintaining a "fragile ceasefire" and keeping Hamas functional as a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority. This policy involved authorizing monthly cash transfers to Hamas officials, a strategy critics argue allowed Hamas to fund its military wing and strengthen its grip on Gaza.
View attachment 1243954The Times of Israel +2
Key Details on Qatari Funds and Netanyahu's Policy:
- Method of Transfer: From 2018 onward, Israel permitted suitcases holding millions of dollars in Qatari cash to enter Gaza via its crossings.
- Purpose: The funds were aimed at paying salaries of Hamas bureaucrats, purchasing fuel, and supporting families, with the goal of preventing a humanitarian crisis and avoiding broader conflict.
- Scale: Qatar provided roughly $30 million per month to Gaza, with Israeli approval.
- Netanyahu’s Strategy: Netanyahu believed that supporting Hamas in Gaza and keeping the Palestinian national movement divided between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank would reduce pressure to negotiate for a Palestinian state.
- Aftermath and Criticism: Following the October 7, 2023, attacks, this policy faced intense scrutiny, with critics arguing the funds allowed Hamas to divert its own revenue toward buying weapons and constructing infrastructure for the assault.
View attachment 1243953The New York Times +6
While some supporters of Netanyahu argued that the payments were a necessary evil to "buy quiet" and maintain the status quo, the policy has been described as a major gamble that backfired.
View attachment 1243952NPR +1