Hamas Gaza is struggling with a serious cash shortage, as Israel tightens sanctions and intensifies its military operations against the terrorist group. The financial crisis has crippled the group’s ability to pay their fighters and government employees, indicating deep cracks in its organizational structure.
Israel’s aggressive hit Hamas’s cash network
According to a Wall Street Journal report, in recent weeks, Israeli forces have allegedly targeted the major data involved in Hamas’s internal financial operations. According to Arabia, Israeli, and Western intelligence sources, several political operators and a leading money changer associated with terrorist financing were abolished or forced to hide it. These operators were important in distributing funds in the Gaza strip.
As a result, salary payment to many government employees in Gaza has been stopped. Senior fighters and officials received only partial payments during Ramadan Holy month. Specific monthly salary for a rank-end-filing Hamas fighter, $ 200-$ 300 is estimated, now has become irregular.
Distribution risk and payment of payment systems
Even if Hamas still has physical cash reserves, distributing money in Gaza has become increasingly dangerous. “Even though they sit on a large amount of cash, their ability to distribute it will be very limited,” the Wall Street Journal quoted a researcher of Gaza’s economy as saying. He said that the disbursing points or courier-based transfer risk are being tracked and attacked by Israeli forces.
The file photo of the Palestinians, who views as Hamas fighters, takes a position before handing over the red cross to four bodies in Khan Younis on 20 February. (Pic Credit: AP)
This has inspired Hamas to rely on informal, individual-to-person cash network, especially after Israel started the attacks in March. During the temporary ceasefire earlier this year, the group managed to establish distribution points to fighters and workers to either pay with cash or goods.
From black market sales to foreign funding
Prior to the war, Hamas received $ 15 million monthly from Qatar and raised money internationally internationally in Türkiye, South Asia and Africa. The group allegedly had a stockpile of about $ 500 million in foreign reserves.
However, once the conflict escalated, Israel rapidly banned physical cash transfer in Gaza. In response, Hamas seized about 180 million dollars from local banks including Bank Off PalestineAnd took advantage of human assistance as a source of income. It collected taxes from traders, imposed customs duty on the outposts, and re -designed human goods to generate cash.
The file photo of Palestinians inspects the remains of a displacement tent through an Israeli air strike overnight. (Pic Credit: AP)
These temporary revenue currents were important for the functioning of Hamas. “They were primarily dependent on the humanitarian aids sold in black markets for cash,” said Moumen al-Natur, a lawyer of Gaza’s al-Shati refugee camp.
Human concerns continue to mount as aid cutoff
The march shutdown of humanitarian aid has left Gaza on the verge of further economic collapse. Human rights groups have raised the alarm, warning of rising hunger and deteriorating position for two million inhabitants of the surrounded enclave.
Israeli officials argue that help block aid is necessary to weaken Hamas’s hold on power. Defense Minister Israel Katj recently stated that Israel is preparing a new assistance distribution plan through citizen partners to ensure that human assistance does not fund Hamas.
Lack of currency adds to Gaza crisis
The cash economy of Gaza is under stress not only with the help of aid blockade but also from the lack of physical currency. Israel’s central bank had sent shakels regularly to Gaza before the war, but no new bill has been supplied since the fight started.
With banks and ATMs being damaged or out of service, residents are now resorting to physically cleaning and tapping the damaged currency to keep it in circulation. Analysts estimate that around $ 3 billion can still roam, but it is rapidly deteriorating and rapidly inaccessible.
Dewinding funds reduce recruitment and control
Financial squeeze is also reducing the ability to recruit new fighters and maintain loyalty within its ranks. As the Israeli region gains control over the health of the region and Ghazan raises rare public dissatisfaction against the leadership of Hamas, the group is struggling to maintain both morale and order.
Financial collapse is involving the daily difficulties of ordinary ghazans, which now faces uncertainty not only from war, but also with a simple challenge of food, medicine and shelter.
