Hamas Used Gaza Charity to Fund Terror Activities, IDF Reveals

The Israel Defense Forces has revealed that a Gaza-based charity, Qawafel al-Khair, served as a covert financial pipeline for Hamas, funneling funds and logistical support to the terror group’s armed wing under the pretense of humanitarian aid.

Documents recovered by Israeli military intelligence show that the charity, which publicly claims to provide food and essentials to Gaza’s civilian population, in fact supported Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades with money, construction resources, and operational logistics. The findings underscore long-standing Israeli warnings about the exploitation of charitable donations by terrorist organizations in the region.

“These documents expose only the tip of the iceberg of the phenomenon of Hamas using funds from so-called humanitarian organizations for terrorist purposes,” said Maj. Ella Waweya, the IDF’s chief Arabic spokesperson.

According to the IDF, Hamas used Qawafel al-Khair to train fighters, distribute thousands of food packages to its operatives, and request direct economic support for members of its armed network. Intelligence assessments indicate that as recently as 2023, Hamas held meetings with multiple NGOs to coordinate funding with Qawafel al-Khair emerging as a central player.

While the charity claims to deliver food, clothing, and shelter to Gazans in need, the evidence paints a far more troubling picture. The IDF’s disclosures show that donations intended to alleviate human suffering were instead diverted to fuel terror and sustain the infrastructure of violence.

Founded in 2015 under the name Ruba Al-Khair, Qawafel al-Khair continues to solicit international donations by offering sponsorships for orphans and food parcels. Though it was not among the five so-called “sham charities” sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in June for aiding Hamas, Israeli officials stress that Qawafel’s operational ties to Hamas are now beyond dispute.

“Hamas, which claims to care about supporting the Strip’s residents, exploits donations intended to improve living conditions for Gaza’s population in order to support its members and finance its brutal activities,” the IDF stated.

This case adds to growing international concern over the misuse of humanitarian frameworks in Gaza to sustain terror groups that endanger both Israeli and Palestinian lives. While aid remains a critical tool for alleviating suffering, unchecked misuse threatens to undermine its legitimacy and worsen the very crises it aims to solve.

Israel continues to expose and confront those who cloak terror in the language of charity. Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on how truth and accountability are defending Israel and the global fight against terror.