UK says it does not fund Hamas despite document suggesting aid risk
A newly surfaced U.K. government document has raised fresh concerns over British-funded humanitarian aid to Gaza, suggesting officials were aware of the risk funds might indirectly support Hamas, the terrorist group that governs the Gaza Strip. While U.K. officials strongly deny the claim, critics say key questions remain unanswered.
The document, dated November 2022 and obtained by NGO Monitor, outlines the U.K.’s humanitarian strategy in the occupied Palestinian territories. One section references a UNICEF-administered cash assistance program in Gaza coordinated with the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD).
The NGO Monitor report claims that the MoSD in Gaza is affiliated with the de facto authorities and thus U.K. Aid can be linked directly or indirectly with supporting the de facto authority in Gaza (Hamas), which is part of a proscribed group. This revelation has sparked concerns about the potential for British taxpayer funds to reach Hamas, despite the U.K. government’s denials.
Anne Herzberg, legal advisor at NGO Monitor, highlighted the significance of the document’s phrasing, which suggests that the government was more concerned about public perception than the real danger of supporting terrorism. The document, originally published in November 2022, was uncovered during an investigation into humanitarian aid flows in Gaza.
In response to the allegations, the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) categorically denied any funding reaching Hamas-controlled bodies. The FCDO stated that the U.K. does not fund Hamas-run agencies in Gaza and emphasized that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organization under U.K. law.
However, NGO Monitor pointed to inconsistencies in UNICEF’s March 2024 report celebrating its strengthened partnership with the MoSD in Gaza. The report stated that over 540,000 Gazans received support following attacks in October 2022, with the MoSD helping target the most vulnerable families. The MoSD in Gaza is led by Hamas member Ghazi Hamad, raising concerns about the diversion of aid to support Hamas’ activities.
The controversy surrounding British-funded humanitarian aid to Gaza comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions and the suspension of trade negotiations between the U.K. and Israel. NGO Monitor emphasized the need for a new international mechanism to oversee aid delivery in Gaza, bypassing Hamas-controlled institutions and ensuring that civilian aid is protected from exploitation.
As the debate continues, it underscores the moral responsibility of Western donors to take every precaution possible to ensure that aid reaches those in need without inadvertently supporting terrorist organizations like Hamas. The call for greater transparency and oversight in aid delivery processes remains crucial in addressing the complex challenges in the region.
