Gaza Herald – An Israeli Channel 12 News investigation has revealed that the Israeli government actively sought to ensure Qatar continued transferring funds to the occupied Gaza Strip before 7 October 2023, despite explicit warnings from security officials that the money was strengthening Hamas. The report details how Doha became instrumental to Israel’s policies in the besieged enclave over the past 15 years.
The policy, spearheaded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu between 2011 and 2023, involved Qatari officials transferring tens of millions of US dollars in cash to Gaza to maintain stable relations with Hamas. Senior military officers reportedly received expensive gifts from Doha during this period. According to the report, close connections were first discussed in 2011 during a secret meeting organized by then French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris.
Netanyahu met his Qatari counterpart Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani at the Presidential Palace, where Al Thani offered help in negotiating the release of soldier Gilad Shalit, held captive since 2006. Al Thani also offered building materials like cement and iron to rebuild the enclave destroyed by Israeli bombardment. Although Shalit was released in late 2011 through Egyptian mediation, the meeting led to closer ties.
Israel allowed Qatari officials access to Gaza, while Qatar pledged $400m in 2012. Two years later, following the 2014 war, Doha announced a $1bn transfer. Suitcases containing millions of dollars were delivered with full Israeli government approval, keeping the policy secret even from internal security agencies. Mohammed al-Emadi, Qatar’s envoy, developed close relationships with senior Israeli military officials.
Emadi was tasked with delivering cash, initially raising suspicions at Shin Bet. After a brief inquiry, the agency found the transfers had Netanyahu’s approval. The prime minister refused to end the transfers despite warnings they helped Hamas build power. He rejected proposals to send funds in shekels through the Palestinian Authority, preferring direct dollar deliveries to Hamas.
In 2020, when Qatar sought to stop transfers, Netanyahu instructed Mossad director Yossi Cohen to find alternative funding. Cohen met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who refused. Cohen then persuaded Qatar to continue until 2023. Over these years, the Qatari envoy gave gifts worth tens of thousands of shekels to officials in the army, Mossad, and National Security Council.
Effie Defrin, current army spokesperson, received gifts in 2022 while serving in another role, as did other senior officers. The investigation concluded that Netanyahu and former prime minister Naftali Bennett continued the policy despite warnings. Just a week before the 7 October attacks, which killed some 1,200 Israelis and took 250 captive, Netanyahu instructed Mossad to secure additional funding from Qatar.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
