Bold claim: Documents show Hamas covertly steering EU-funded NGOs in Gaza, reshaping aid into a tool of influence. But here's where it gets controversial: new evidence suggests the line between humanitarian work and political manipulation was closer—and more troubling—than previously known.
Exclusive documents reviewed by Euractiv indicate that Hamas, labeled by the EU as a terror organization, actively monitored international NGOs operating in the Gaza Strip. The group allegedly required trusted intermediaries to liaise with these NGOs, many of which received direct EU funding. The materials date from 2018 to 2022 and were discovered in Gaza by Israeli authorities amid the 2023 conflict sparked by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7. The Israel Defense Forces declassified the papers, which were analyzed by researchers from the NGO Monitor in Jerusalem and subsequently shared with Euractiv.
The records shed light on how Hamas’s Interior Security Mechanism (ISM) – a special unit within the Hamas Ministry of Interior – tracked and approved NGO projects in Gaza. They also imply that European NGOs may have been engaging more closely with Hamas than widely acknowledged.
Contextually, Gaza has long depended on international aid, including substantial EU support, even before the latest hostilities. As reconstruction discussions intensify, the role and oversight of NGOs in Gaza become more critical.
Key concept: NGO guarantors
NGO Monitor researchers describe a system of “guarantors”—Gazans who act as a bridge between Hamas and various NGOs. These guarantors often held influential administrative posts within the NGOs, such as director or board chair. Some guarantors were Hamas members, while others were described as trusted sympathizers or as affiliates of Hamas. One example cited is a member of the Italian humanitarian NGO Cesvi, backed by EU funding.
A December 2022 document listed the personal details of several guarantors and warned they could be exploited for security purposes to infiltrate foreign associations, their leadership, and movements. The files reveal extensive surveillance of these individuals, including details about their religious practices, dress, online activity, and political beliefs.
Put differently, Hamas appeared to have a deep understanding of how NGOs operate internally. A 2020 Hamas report noted that the International Medical Corps (IMC), a global NGO, briefly closed its offices for a week after refusing to submit financial and administrative reports to Hamas. Once the NGO complied with Hamas’s demands, the offices reopened. A December 2022 entry even indicates that the current IMC administrative director is a Hamas member with the rank of captain.
Oxfam connection and potential militarization of aid
The documents also reveal attempts by Hamas to leverage NGO activities for military ends. A June 16, 2021, memo notes that Oxfam partnered with a local group tied to Hamas to implement an irrigation project for fruit trees. Hamas argued that the project would support their military objectives. The project occurred in a border area deemed security-sensitive, with fruit trees described as a potential cover for resistance activities near the border.
Researchers from NGO Monitor contend that Hamas ensured the Oxfam project was conducted in a way that protected and concealed strategically advantageous positions for its forces. The EU funded this project, underscoring concerns about aid flowing through channels that could be co-opted for political or military aims.
Responses and consequences
Cesvi, Oxfam, and IMC did not respond to Euractiv’s request for comment at the time this article was published. The findings, if accurate, point to a broader pattern of Hamas involvement in Gaza’s humanitarian ecosystem that authorities and aid organizations may have underestimated.
Commentary from experts emphasizes the need for robust due diligence. Olga Deutsch, vice president of NGO Monitor, described the documents as evidence of a formal network used to monitor, influence, and control NGO activity in Gaza. She noted that NGOs had not publicly disclosed concerns about Hamas infiltration.
Policy implications
German MEP Niclas Herbst has urged stronger vetting mechanisms for NGOs operating in Gaza as reconstruction efforts move forward. Since 2019, EU rules require grant beneficiaries and contractors to ensure that subcontractors and recipients of financial support are not subject to EU sanctions, a standard that would apply to groups like Hamas. Herbst argues that the EU Commission must enforce these rules rigorously; otherwise, NGOs risk losing EU funding.
Bottom line: oversight matters
If these reports hold true, they underscore the urgent need for transparent governance and rigorous screening of partners in conflict zones. For donors and policymakers, the challenge is to balance urgent humanitarian aid with safeguards that prevent misuse by designated terrorist organizations. This also raises broader questions: How can international donors verify that funds do not indirectly empower hostile entities? What governance reforms are most effective in high-risk contexts?
Would you agree that enhanced, verifiable due diligence should become standard practice for all NGOs operating in sensitive regions, even if it slows the delivery of aid? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
