The Israel Defense Forces have seized more than $1.3 million in cash found in a pair of suitcases at the home of a senior Hamas member in northern Gaza, officials said.
Members of the IDF’s Multidomain Unit were in the active Jabaliya area as they continued to advance on several remaining strongholds in northern Gaza when they found cash, worth 5 million NIS, a currency used in the Palestinian territories and Israel, the IDF said. .
The money was located at the home of a top Hamas member and equaled the total amount seized from terrorists from October 7 to the end of November, according to the Israeli military.
“These funds—which were found in the residence of a senior Hamas terrorist—were earmarked for terrorist activities,” IDF wrote on X Monday.
“What can this money be used for? Allocation of clean water, electricity and fuel for the people of Gaza,” the IDF added, appearing to suggest the money was looted from Gaza aid funds.
The IDF seized more than $1.3 million in cash found in a pair of suitcases at the home of a senior Hamas member in northern Gaza. IDF
Hamas has long been accused of stealing money donated to Palestinian aid to fund its military wing and allowing its leadership to enjoy a lavish lifestyle abroad while civilians struggle.
Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades allegedly has an annual budget of more than $100 million, with another $40 million a year spent on digging and maintaining an elaborate underground tunnel system, Israeli and Palestinian sources told The Times of Israel.
In addition to filling its coffers with stolen aid money, Hamas allegedly earned hundreds of millions of dollars through trade with Iranian partners, cryptocurrency investments, taxes, extortion and even smuggling, US officials told NBC News.
Hamas has long been accused of stealing money for Palestinian aid as civilians continue to be displaced by the ongoing war. Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Images A Palestinian mourns the loss of a loved one following a bombardment in southern Gaza, where the IDF stormed a Hamas base. Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
In total, the terror group that governs Gaza is believed to have an annual budget of $450 million, with much criticism raised over the lack of investment in public infrastructure and quality of life.
Israel has long monitored funds arriving in Gaza since Hamas took over in 2006, with the Jewish state approving Qatari funds sent through the United Nations.
Hamas representatives have repeatedly claimed that the group separates finances meant for its military wing and the day-to-day administration of Gaza.
People mourned the bodies of Palestinians killed in airstrikes. APAImages/Shutterstock
Like the first cache of 5 million NIS seized from October to November, the millions found on Monday will likely be absorbed by the Jewish State.
Along with raids on the homes of senior Hamas members in northern Gaza over the weekend, the IDF also infiltrated the offices and vacation homes of other top members in southern Gaza.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
