Netanyahu for years pursued a deliberate strategy of allowing Qatari funds into Gaza to bolster the group as a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. This policy faced significant criticism and has been described as a “strategic error”.
Here is a breakdown of the policy and its rationale:
Strategic Rationale: Netanyahu and his government viewed strengthening Hamas as a way to prevent the establishment of a unified Palestinian state. By keeping the Palestinians divided between the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and the Fatah-controlled West Bank, Israel could avoid a comprehensive peace negotiation that would involve discussions of statehood. In 2019, Netanyahu reportedly told his Likud party that “Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas”.
Qatari Cash Transfers: Beginning in 2018, with Israel’s approval, Qatar delivered millions of dollars in cash to Gaza on a monthly basis, sometimes in suitcases. These funds were intended for civilian purposes, such as paying the salaries of civil servants and providing aid to needy families, which the Israeli government argued was necessary to prevent a humanitarian crisis. The transfers were supervised by Israel and the funds were defined as being for “humanitarian purposes only”.
Warnings and Denials: Despite the official line that the money was purely for humanitarian aid, some former Israeli security officials warned that the funds could be diverted to Hamas’s military wing. Netanyahu’s office has denied receiving any intelligence documents that explicitly stated the Qatari funds were being used for terrorist activity, maintaining that the money went to civilian needs.
Consequences: Following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, this policy came under intense scrutiny. Critics, including some members of the Israeli government, have labeled the approach a failure that ultimately enabled Hamas to build its military capabilities, including its extensive tunnel network.
In summary, the Israeli government’s policy of allowing Qatari cash into Gaza was designed to empower Hamas politically and strategically, a decision that is now widely criticized as having contributed to the current conflict.
Israeli PM ‘missed chance’ to cut off Hamas cash, says the ex-spy chief.Feb 18, 2024 — Israeli PM ‘missed chance’ to cut off Hamas cash, says ex-spy... * Udi Levy says he alerted Mr Netanyahu to Hamas...———
Israeli envoy in NY laments ‘strategic error’ of allowing Qatari ...
Oct 24, 2025 — Israeli envoy in NY laments ‘strategic error’ of allowing Qatari cash transfers to Gaza | The Times of Israel.
This was the policy of the Clinton administration which pushed the Oslo Accords. Nearly every administration since has pushed Israel to make concessions in exchange for peace. Biden’s visit to Israel climaxed with more of the same, with Israel being forced to once again provide services to the Hamas territory.
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