The IDF revealed today (Thursday) the methodical system used by the Hamas terror organization to exploit humanitarian aid entering Gaza for its own purposes. The military’s statement is supported by documents and evidence gathered from a deep analysis of a broad range of intelligence sources, some of which are now being disclosed.
According to the IDF, since the start of the war, Hamas has viewed humanitarian aid as an opportunity to finance its terrorist activities. The organization designated itself as the authority over aid distribution in wide areas of the Gaza Strip and systematically manipulated international humanitarian organizations. Throughout the war, Hamas operatives—openly or covertly—accompanied aid trucks with the goal of confiscating and seizing control of the incoming supplies.
The Mechanisms Hamas Developed
Hamas devised four key mechanisms for exploiting humanitarian aid.
The first: confiscation of aid. Throughout the war, Hamas determined that a fixed percentage—ranging from 15% to more than 25%—of all aid entering the Gaza Strip would be automatically redirected to serve the organization’s needs.
Aid diverted to Hamas was either distributed to its operatives on the ground or sold at inflated prices for profit—at the expense of Gaza’s civilian population. A newly revealed document proves that these decisions were made during the war, including adjustments to the percentage diverted to Hamas based on internal assessments.
Smuggling of Prohibited Goods
Hamas also engaged in smuggling certain goods into Gaza, such as cigarettes, and worked to monopolize their sale. The group confiscated these products to sell at exorbitant prices while banning independent merchants in local markets from offering them. Hamas itself smuggled these goods into the Strip and sold them to vendors at marked-up rates.
As a result, cigarettes were not permitted to enter Gaza through the official crossings as part of the humanitarian aid process. Throughout the war, security inspectors from the Ministry of Defense’s Border Crossing Authority thwarted dozens of attempts to smuggle tobacco products.
The “Offset Mechanism”
According to IDF assessments, Hamas received hundreds of millions of shekels in Gaza through a hawala-style “offset mechanism,” involving transfers from Iran and other funding sources. These transfers were funneled through Hamas operatives in Turkey and coordinated with senior Hamas officials in Gaza.
Hamas exploited the aid delivery process and took advantage of international humanitarian organizations—whether knowingly or through deception. On the ground, Hamas demanded that additional aid be brought into the Strip, purchased using its overseas funds. This aid was then resold at inflated prices to Gaza residents, converting foreign donations into cash profits for the terror group.
Protection Rackets
Hamas operated systematically across Gaza, using its control of the territory to impose taxes and “security fees,” forcibly taking over entire industries and extorting profits in exchange for protection.
Estimates indicate that Hamas earned hundreds of millions of dollars in both goods and cash by exploiting humanitarian aid. The halt in humanitarian aid deliveries in early March, under orders from Israel’s political leadership, led to a sharp decline in Hamas revenues. The resulting financial strain was so severe that the organization was forced to reduce—and in some cases suspend—the payment of salaries to some of its operatives.
Improved Security Oversight
In recent months, the IDF—led by Military Intelligence (Aman) and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)—conducted a comprehensive study that led to strengthened oversight of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. The new procedures include: registering organizations, applying customs processes, verifying the contents of shipments at the crossings, improving security inspections, and establishing enforcement measures against organizations that fail to meet these standards.
Additionally, the resumption of aid distribution in Gaza through facilities operated by international organizations and secured by the American civil company GHF—something that was not feasible at the beginning of the war—has enabled the direct delivery of food packages to residents. This method effectively disconnects Hamas from direct control over the aid.
The IDF Spokesperson stated:
“The IDF will continue to enable the operation of distribution centers run by international organizations and secured by the American civil company, while doing everything possible to ensure that humanitarian aid does not fall into the hands of the Hamas terror organization.”
“The method and intelligence now being disclosed are clear proof to the entire world: the Hamas terror group cares only about its own survival and its ability to harm Israeli civilians. Hamas cynically exploits the residents of the Gaza Strip.”
