Amid deteriorating conditions in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip following over 700 days of turmoil, high-ranking Hamas officials are said to be enjoying lavish lifestyles in Qatar.
According to the Israeli Embassy in the United States, Khaled Mashal, the leader of Hamas’s political bureau abroad, and Mousa Abu Marzook have a combined wealth surpassing $3 billion (£2.2 billion).
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted in July that nearly 12,000 children under five are severely malnourished in the Strip, where the situation has long been labeled as catastrophic.
Often referred to as the world’s largest open-air prison, Gaza has witnessed significant casualties from Israel’s conflict, with over 64,000 deaths and 163,000 injuries since October 2023, leaving many families and neighborhoods devastated.
Israel has been accused of various war crimes in Gaza, including the deliberate starvation of civilians, failure to protect them during military actions resulting in numerous innocent deaths, and excessive destruction of entire towns beyond the military threat faced by Israel.
Netanyahu and a former defense minister are facing arrest warrants for alleged war crimes from the International Criminal Court, maintaining their innocence against the accusations.
Even before the recent conflict escalation triggered by Hamas’s terror attack on Israel, half of Gaza’s population relied on food aid from the United Nations.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) now warns that over half a million people in Gaza are at risk of a man-made famine, leading to severe hunger, poverty, and fatalities.
Israel disputes these claims, labeling the IPC report as false and accusing Hamas of misusing aid, despite the widespread poverty among Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and the presence of numerous millionaires in the region.
While a majority of Gaza’s populace lives in poverty in its densely populated area, a small elite class enjoys luxurious lifestyles in marble-floored mansions and upscale hotels.
The Israeli Embassy in the US estimates that Hamas generates an annual revenue of $1 billion (£739 million), ranking it as the second wealthiest terrorist organization after ISIS.
While known for its militant activities with a reported 40,000 armed fighters, Hamas also holds governance in Gaza, overseeing healthcare, social services, and media operations.
Since seizing power in 2006 under Ismail Haniyeh’s leadership, Hamas has maintained authority without democratic processes, establishing an authoritarian rule in the region.
Over the years, Hamas’s leadership has been criticized for exploiting the population’s hardships, diverting funds towards military endeavors rather than essential infrastructure like water