Stories
Netanyahu Knew Qatari Funds Reached Hamas Military Wing, Ignored Warnings: Report
- •An investigation by Yedioth Ahronoth claims Israeli intelligence repeatedly warned PM Netanyahu that Qatari funds were diverted to Hamas's military wing before the October 7 attack.
- •Intelligence assessments reportedly indicated Hamas diverted up to half of its military budget from Qatari funds, with one officer estimating $4 million monthly between 2019-2021.
- •Netanyahu was allegedly briefed multiple times, including by Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman in 2019 and Military Intelligence in 2020, about the diversion of Qatari aid.
- •The report also details a separate, covert funding channel, codenamed “Panther’s Eye,” from wealthy Qatari individuals to Hamas's military wing, estimated at $100 million to several hundred million.
- •Netanyahu's office and Qatar have rejected the allegations, with Qatar stating its aid was for Palestinian civilians and coordinated with Israel, while Netanyahu's political opponents call for an inquiry.
Key Questions Answered
An investigation by Yedioth Ahronoth claimed that Israeli intelligence repeatedly warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that money from Qatar allowed into Gaza was being diverted to Hamas's military wing. According to the report, Netanyahu was warned at least twice, first in 2019 by Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman and again in 2020 by Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate.
Netanyahu's office dismissed the investigation as a collection of previously rejected claims, stating that the security leadership originally supported the Qatari grants for humanitarian purposes. Qatar also rejected the allegations, stating through its International Media Office that Doha had never provided money to Hamas and that its assistance was strictly delivered to Palestinian civilians.
The report sparked sharp criticism from Netanyahu's political opponents. Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot stated that the revelations reinforced the necessity for a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, while other figures like Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman, and Yair Golan accused Netanyahu of ignoring security warnings.
