A chilling revelation has surfaced, detailing how Hamas exerts significant influence over numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating within Gaza – organizations that, in some instances, receive funding from Canadian taxpayers. Newly declassified documents, obtained from the terror group’s internal security apparatus, paint a disturbing picture of surveillance, manipulation, and control over the very groups tasked with delivering vital aid to civilians.
The report, compiled by the Jerusalem-based NGO Monitor, doesn’t allege outright theft of funds, but a far more insidious control. Hamas didn’t simply want to know what aid was being delivered; they wanted to dictate *how* it was delivered, *to whom*, and use the organizations themselves as extensions of their power. This control was achieved through a network of “guarantors” – individuals strategically placed within these NGOs.
These “guarantors” weren’t merely observers. They were tasked with monitoring all activities, reporting back to Hamas, and ensuring compliance with the group’s strict security protocols. Some were pre-existing Hamas operatives, while others were deliberately inserted into positions of influence, effectively turning humanitarian organizations into intelligence-gathering tools.
The documents reveal a systematic effort to cultivate or coerce NGO officials into becoming assets. Extensive dossiers were compiled, rating organizations based on their level of cooperation. Surveillance wasn’t limited to operational details; it extended to the personal lives of staff, with reports detailing infractions like clothing choices deemed inappropriate by Hamas standards.
Several organizations receiving substantial Canadian funding are named in the report. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has received $3 million since February 2023, while Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) was granted $2 million earlier this year. The International Medical Corps (IMC) stands to receive a staggering $20 million between July 2024 and December 2026.
Each of these organizations vehemently denies the allegations. IMC claims a thorough investigation found the accusations “false,” while HI insists on its strict adherence to neutrality and impartiality. The NRC disputes the interpretation of the term “guarantor,” stating it simply refers to staff authorized to handle travel permits. However, the report alleges specific ties between IMC personnel and known Hamas supporters, and identifies HI’s guarantor as “affiliated with the Hamas movement.”
The declassified documents detail a December 2022 surveillance operation targeting guarantors and NGO officials, aiming to exploit them for intelligence purposes. One entry describes the confiscation of “embarrassing photos” from an NRC official’s phone, highlighting the lengths to which Hamas went to exert control and gather leverage.
Adding another layer of concern, the report reveals Hamas monitored NGOs for employees of Jewish faith. A June 2020 memo expressed anxiety over a Jewish public relations official at OXFAM, demonstrating a disturbing pattern of discrimination and potential obstruction of aid based on religious affiliation.
Global Affairs Canada maintains a “no-contact” policy with Hamas and asserts rigorous due diligence procedures are in place to prevent the misuse of funds. Officials claim they monitor activities and work only with experienced humanitarian partners. Yet, questions linger about the effectiveness of these safeguards in a high-risk environment where a determined adversary actively seeks to exploit the system.
The revelations come amidst documented instances of Hamas intercepting and stockpiling aid intended for civilians, allegedly to fuel their conflict and manipulate narratives of famine. This raises a critical question: can aid truly reach those in need when it operates under the shadow of a group actively working against their well-being?
The implications are profound. Canadians deserve to know whether their tax dollars are inadvertently supporting an organization that is, in effect, bolstering the power of a designated terrorist group. Ensuring aid reaches vulnerable populations requires not only generosity, but also unwavering scrutiny and a commitment to accountability.
The report underscores a fundamental challenge: how to deliver life-saving assistance to Gaza without empowering the very entity that perpetuates the suffering. It’s a question that demands urgent attention and a reevaluation of current aid strategies.
