Facing a deepening economic crisis, Hamas is intensifying efforts to secure funding from Iran. The terror organization announced Monday that members of its leadership council in Qatar held talks with Kamal Kharazi, head of Iran's Strategic Council for Foreign Relations.
Mohammad Darwish, chairman of the Hamas leadership council, led the meeting. Darwish also serves as head of the Shura Council and has a history of channeling Iranian funds to Hamas and establishing the economic network that supports the organization. Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Nizar Awadallah, and additional Hamas senior officials attended the talks. Notably absent was Khaled Mashal, who remains persona non grata among Iranian leadership due to his support for Islamist rebels during the previous decade's Syrian civil war.
The discussions centered on recent developments in the Gaza war. According to Hamas' statement, Kharazi emphasized during the meeting that Iran supports the "Palestinian cause" and "jihad" against Israel. Previous meetings between Hamas' foreign-based leadership and Iranian officials have frequently involved requests for financial assistance of hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Hamas documents discovered in Gaza. Kharazi added that countries should collaborate to "support Gaza" and stand against Israel.
Senior officials' salaries cut in half
This meeting occurs as Arab media outlets recently reported that the terror organization is experiencing financial difficulties that hamper its ability to pay salaries to its operatives and officials. Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that senior Hamas officials' salaries were cut by 50%. Even field operatives who previously received between $200 and $300 monthly are no longer receiving their usual compensation.
During a February visit to Iran, Islamic Republic leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with Darwish, al-Hayya, and Awadallah. Prior to that, in January, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Darwish and leadership council members in Qatar.
