WASHINGTON D.C. - Efforts to disrupt terror financing by Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, have encountered a significant impasse due to conflicting assessments of several charitable organizations. With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalating and the death toll mounting, western allies are struggling to find common ground on which charities are legitimate and which are merely facades for Hamas funding.
Following the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, the U.S., Israel, and over a dozen partner nations formed a joint task force specifically focused on countering terror financing. This task force has implemented targeted sanctions against Hamas financiers, currency exchanges, and corporate networks, even offering multi-million dollar bounties for information leading to the capture of key financial facilitators.
However, after four months of operation, the US has yet to take action against several non-profit organizations flagged by Israel as being controlled by Hamas. These organizations, operating within the US and Europe, have reportedly channeled tens of millions of dollars into Gaza since the conflict began, according to both current and former western officials.
While the US acknowledges action has been taken against a number of organizations Israel identifies as problematic, a senior US official stated that “allies have consistently requested credible evidence, but are still waiting.” This divergence of opinion regarding the legitimacy of these charities comes at a critical juncture, coinciding with US efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza amidst mounting Palestinian casualties and a worsening humanitarian situation.
Further complicating the issue is the ongoing debate surrounding allegations linking staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to the Hamas attack on October 7th. Following these accusations, the US and other Western nations suspended aid to UNRWA. While the US intelligence community believes it likely that some UNRWA employees participated in the attack, conclusive evidence regarding widespread connections between the agency and Hamas remains unsubstantiated.
Navigating this complex landscape, US officials emphasize their commitment to differentiating between legitimate and illegitimate humanitarian organizations. However, they also express caution against overzealous actions that could inadvertently target genuine aid groups and bolster Hamas propaganda efforts.
“We will not hesitate to designate any sham charities that function as conduits for terrorist funding upon the discovery of **credible evidence,” confirmed a senior US official.
With Hamas' primary revenue stream – the $600 million annual tax collection within Gaza – severely hampered by the recent Israeli military operation, external funding, including donations from charities, has become critical for the group's survival. This financial dependence underscores the urgency for the US and its allies to find a harmonious approach in addressing accusations against charities, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those genuinely in need while simultaneously curtailing any potential avenues for Hamas to exploit.
