Israel Uncovers Iran-Backed Hamas Financial Network Operating in Turkey
JERUSALEM — Israeli defense and intelligence agencies have exposed a covert Hamas financial network operating within Turkey, orchestrated under the direction of Iran, according to documents released this week. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) revealed that exiled Gazan operatives have exploited Turkey’s financial systems to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to Hamas, facilitating the group’s efforts to rebuild its operational capabilities beyond Gaza’s borders.
The intelligence, detailed by the IDF and ISA, identifies three key figures central to this network: Tamer Hassan, a senior Hamas finance official operating under Khalil al-Hayya; and currency exchangers Khalil Farwana and Farid Abu Dair. These operatives are reported to manage the receipt, storage, and transfer of Iranian funds within Turkey’s financial infrastructure, enabling sustained support for Hamas leadership and activities.
According to Israeli officials, this Iranian-backed financial operation has remained consistent over time, underscoring Tehran’s ongoing commitment to backing Hamas. The network’s activity includes documented currency transfers amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, which Israeli sources suggest represent only a fraction of the total volume.
This revelation emerges amid heightened scrutiny of Turkey’s regional role, particularly as Ankara seeks to assert influence in Gaza’s post-conflict landscape. Turkey has long hosted Hamas figures, and its government has expressed interest in participating in stabilization efforts in Gaza. However, the Trump administration and U.S. officials remain cautious about allowing Turkish troops to join U.S.-led missions, given concerns over Ankara’s ties to Hamas.
Sinan Ciddi, a Turkey expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that Turkey’s political protection of Hamas, combined with its opposition to Israeli military operations, has created a permissive environment that Israeli pressure alone has struggled to dismantle.
The timing of the IDF and ISA disclosures coincides with ongoing U.S. debates regarding Turkey’s role in the Middle East. The U.S. Department of State continues to weigh diplomatic and security considerations as it monitors Turkey’s complex relationship with Hamas and Iran.
Meanwhile, the United Nations faces criticism over aid diversion concerns in Gaza, with investigations by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) probing potential Hamas misappropriation of humanitarian assistance. This adds another layer of complexity to efforts aimed at stabilizing Gaza and addressing the humanitarian crisis.
The Israeli government’s findings underscore the multifaceted challenges of countering terrorist financing that spans multiple countries and involves state actors. The exposure of this network highlights the critical role of intelligence cooperation and financial oversight in disrupting channels that sustain militant groups.
For further context, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s counterterrorism division and the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence maintain ongoing efforts to identify and dismantle similar transnational financial networks.
As Israel continues to confront threats from Hamas, the international community’s attention remains fixed on the evolving dynamics in Turkey and Iran’s role in sustaining militant groups across the region.
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