Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Dec 19: Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the West Bank have significantly impacted Hamas’s financial stability, limiting the militant group’s ability to pay full salaries to both its civilian administration and armed operatives, according to a report cited by Arabic-language daily Asharq Al-Awsat (Aawsat).

The report said Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas, along with intensified security operations in the West Bank, has disrupted key funding channels used by the organisation. Raids on West Bank-based “exchange companies” — allegedly utilised by Hamas and other terror groups to move funds — were described as among the most effective measures taken by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to “dry up Hamas’s finances”.

According to the report, while Hamas is currently unable to pay salaries in full, it still retains the capacity to make partial payments to most of its operatives.

A Hamas official, quoted by Aawsat, said the group continues to rely on “commercial sources inside Gaza” to ensure regular partial salary payments. Another major source of income remains Iranian support, although the official admitted that such funding is inconsistent.

“Iranian support sometimes decreases and sometimes increases, or is delayed from its scheduled times,” the official was quoted as saying.

The official further acknowledged growing logistical challenges in transferring funds into Gaza. “We are facing increasing difficulties day by day in the process of transferring and delivering these funds to Gaza, which is pushing those in charge of the salaries file to resort to what remains in cash in their treasury, or to collect from self-generated commercial sources,” the official said.

The report highlights mounting financial pressure on Hamas as Israel continues its military and financial crackdown aimed at weakening the group’s operational capabilities.