Israel's Acquisition of Documents on Islamic Republic's Financial Aid to Hamas

The Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday, November 20, that the Israeli army has obtained documents indicating that the Islamic Republic has transferred tens of millions of dollars annually from Iran to Hamas resources over the past twenty years. According to the Jerusalem Post, these documents were acquired during Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and through interrogations of Hamas 'terrorists' captured during the war. The report states that the Islamic Republic has become the main strategic supporter of Hamas, especially since 2014, providing military equipment, training, and financial assistance amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars to Hamas's leadership and military wing. These documents reveal that the Islamic Republic, in addition to supporting Hamas's military activities, has also been involved in supporting other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and financing civilian, educational, and cultural projects in the area. The documents also provide new information about Iran's involvement in preparing Hamas for the October 7, 2023 attack, including coordination with Hezbollah and the readiness of the terrorist organization based in Gaza in the Lebanese domain, illustrating the Islamic Republic's strategic approach to expanding its influence over Hamas specifically and the Gaza Strip in general. According to the Jerusalem Post, the Islamic Republic has carried out this process through extensive budget allocations for civilian programs, strengthening Shiites in the Sunni community of Gaza, and influencing Hamas's decision-making by controlling its financial resources and facilitating the purchase of significant amounts of weapons. The report also reveals that in 2019, the Islamic Republic transferred at least $42 million to Hamas's military wing in Gaza and over $12 million in 2020 for this section of Hamas. The New York Times reported on October 13, 2023, based on confidential documents in its possession, that Hamas has been negotiating with the Islamic Republic since 2021 for support for its major attack on Israel. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 of last year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of over 250 others, Israel launched an assault on Gaza aimed at destroying this group supported by the Islamic Republic and recovering the hostages.