New documents reveal Israel’s direct role in steering Qatar's billions to Gaza

Recently obtained documents, including a 2020 letter from former Mossad director Yossi Cohen to Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, confirm that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government deliberately managed Qatar’s roughly $2 billion aid flow to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip starting in 2012. By 2018 the transfers amounted to about $1.1 billion, earmarked for fuel, humanitarian goods and salaries, and were administered under a formal agreement with the United Nations that gave Israel control over recipient selection.

The arrangement received backing from successive Israeli, U.S., and UN officials, even as Israeli leaders publicly criticized Qatar. After the Oct 7 Hamas assault, Qatar and Israeli officials disputed whether the money financed the attack, with Qatar insisting Israel oversaw delivery and bears responsibility for any misuse. The disclosures surface amid Netanyahu’s upcoming election, accusations of a “Qatargate” pay-for-PR scheme, and broader debates on delivering Gaza assistance without empowering militant groups.