According to new reporting in The Wall Street Journal, "Hamas is facing a new problem in Gaza: coming up with the cash it needs to pay its rank and file."
Israel has been working to increase the pressure on Hamas through expanding military operations targeting terror operatives and infrastructure and ending the flow of some humanitarian aid into Gaza, which Hamas has been stealing and selling to fund its terror operations.
"The result for Hamas has been a debilitating squeeze," the Journal adds:
"The shortfalls are creating hardship across Hamas’s ranks in Gaza’s cash economy and signal a deepening organizational dysfunction in the militant group as it also contends with a more aggressive Israeli military strategy...
"Hamas, which controls Gaza’s civilian government, got monthly cash transfers of $15 million from Qatar before the war. It also has raised funds from places including western Africa, South Asia and the U.K., building up a stockpile of some $500 million, much of it in Turkey, according to Western and Arab officials...
"Hamas used the flow of humanitarian and commercial goods to build new income streams, according to Arab, Israeli and Western officials. This has included charging taxes on merchants, collecting customs on trucks at checkpoints, and commandeering goods for resale. Hamas also has used overseas cash to buy humanitarian goods that are then sold in Gaza and turned back into cash, the officials said."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said yesterday that Israel will only resume the full flow of aid into Gaza once mechanisms have been established to ensure that the aid does not go to benefit Hamas.
Meanwhile, anti-Hamas protests have resumed in Gaza, with hundreds of residents of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza taking to the streets yesterday to protest Hamas rule, the first such demonstrations since the end of last month.
And again today Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
The United States must continue to stand with Israel and increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to release the 59 remaining hostages, including 5 Americans, still held captive in Gaza.
NEW AIPAC MEMO
Dismantlement: How to End the Iranian Nuclear Threat
Earlier this month, President Trump announced the United States would enter direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program.
These negotiations must be time-bound and centered on one clear objective: the dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
During these negotiations, the United States must continue to pressure the regime through maximum economic pressure and the credible threat of force.
If Iran refuses to eliminate its program, all options — including military action — must be on the table.
U.S. continues strikes on Houthis to degrade terror group
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced today that U.S. forces destroyed a fuel port under the control of the Houthi terrorists in Yemen:
"The Iran-backed Houthis use fuel to sustain their military operations, as a weapon of control, and to benefit economically from embezzling the profits from the import... Profits from these illegal sales are directly funding and sustaining Houthi terrorist efforts.
"Today, U.S. forces took action to eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorize the entire region for over 10 years...
"The Houthis, their Iranian masters, and those who knowingly aid and abet their terrorist actions should be put on notice that the world will not accept illicit smuggling of fuel and war material to a terrorist organization."
Also today, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the International Bank of Yemen for providing financial support to the Houthis.
"Financial institutions like IBY are critical to the Houthis’ efforts to access the international financial system and threaten both the region and international commerce," said Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender. "Treasury remains committed to working with the internationally recognized government of Yemen to disrupt the Houthis’ ability to secure funds and procure key components for their destabilizing attacks."
Meanwhile, American officials have confirmed that a Chinese satellite company with military links is supplying the Houthis with imagery to target U.S. Navy vessels and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, "The U.S. will not tolerate anyone providing support to foreign terrorist organization such as the Houthis."
AIPAC thanks the administration for taking these important steps to increase the economic and military pressure on Iran and its Houthi proxy.
Israeli president meets with bipartisan members of Congress
Israeli President Isaac Herzog met today with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
He said: "Your bipartisan, bicameral, visit is a symbol of the depth and strength of the bond between the Israeli and American peoples. We are now celebrating Passover, the festival of liberation, as we continue to call and long for the freedom of our hostages brutally held by Hamas in Gaza. I know that you join us in this call, and I want to thank you for all you are doing to help bring our sons and daughters home."
Ambassador Huckabee arrives in Israel
Ambassador Mike Huckabee arrived in Israel today to take up his post as Washington's envoy to Israel.
He’ll present his credentials to President Isaac Herzog on Monday in Jerusalem.
AIPAC congratulates Ambassador Huckabee on his confirmation and looks forward to working with him to continue to strengthen the vital partnership between America and Israel.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
