“Reputational Risk” and “Work-Arounds”: Documenting UK Funding to Hamas-Linked Entities

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Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007, when the terror group violently took control of Palestinian Authority institutions and eliminated other political opponents. For more than eighteen years, the organization amassed power and resources in no small part by diverting international aid and developing an unprecedented terror infrastructure. Billions of pounds, euros, and dollars in Western taxpayer funding were funneled into Gaza ostensibly for humanitarian projects via thirteen UN agencies and dozens of NGOs.

This dimension became more significant over the past two years, as mounting evidence emerged highlighting the degree to which aid diversion was central in the preparations for the October 7 Hamas assault on Israel, which was marked by mass slaughter, torture, and abductions. It also drew attention to the terror organization’s extensive tunnel network and its wanton exploitation of Gaza’s civilian population. During the war, Hamas continued to manipulate humanitarian aid frameworks in order to maintain control over Gaza and sustain its support network.

In parallel, one would have expected Western governments to act forcefully to prevent the abuse of their aid mechanisms and taxpayer funds. For instance, after Hamas seized power in Gaza, the US instituted stringent vetting and oversight requirements for aid. By contrast, many other countries failed to maintain adequate oversight, allowing Hamas to expand its weapons arsenal and vast tunnel network.

The British government is a notable example of this failure. Internal British and Hamas documents reveal multiple ways in which London was aware of Hamas involvement in its aid pipeline, and in some instances even cooperated with that organization.