Hamas continues to pay its operatives regular salaries 15 months into the war, despite Israeli cabinet efforts to dismantle its governing infrastructure, security sources confirmed to Israel Hayom.
The organization has established a systematic operation of intercepting humanitarian aid shipments destined for Gaza residents. Armed operatives commandeer supply trucks carrying internationally funded cargo transported by the IDF, then resell essential supplies at premium prices to the local population.
"The resale of international aid has become their dominant revenue stream," a senior security official told Israel Hayom. These proceeds finance both existing operatives' salaries and new recruitment efforts targeting Gaza youth.
While the closure of the Philadelphi Corridor and suspension of private commerce has eliminated major funding channels, the official noted that "Hamas maintains its recruitment capabilities through aid-generated revenue."
The political establishment, while broadly aligned on the need to revise current aid policies, has yet to develop concrete plans for implementation following Donald Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, who championed the initial Gaza blockade following Hamas' Oct. 7 assault, had declared, "For years we provided Gaza with electricity, water and fuel, and instead of gratitude, they dispatched thousands of human animals to slaughter, murder, rape and kidnap babies, women and elderly. We've halted these supplies, and their local power plant has failed. We'll maintain pressure until the Hamas threat is eliminated."
However, the blockade strategy collapsed under Biden administration pressure and concerns over potential disruptions to American ammunition supplies. Israel's leadership now anticipates that Trump – who recently warned that unless the hostages were released before he is sworn in, "there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East" – may be more receptive to significant reductions in Gaza's aid supply.
