U.S. officials have expressed concerns that Hamas has exploited civilian and humanitarian funding to support its terrorist activities. The Treasury Department has targeted financing networks linked to Hamas, including charities that allegedly support its military operations. Recent reports indicate that a provision in the Board of Peace's Gaza roadmap could allocate up to $400 million to settle unpaid obligations from the Hamas era, including debts owed to public-sector workers and suppliers.
Critics argue that this could inadvertently benefit Hamas, while Board officials assert that the mechanism is designed to ensure essential services continue without supporting the group. Nickolay Mladenov, the Board's representative for Gaza, denied that there is a financial agreement with Hamas, stating that the Board's goal is to disarm the group and establish civilian governance.
Senator Ted Cruz expressed his concerns, emphasizing that international donors should not finance obligations incurred under Hamas. A senior Board official clarified that the provision is not a commitment to fund anything immediately but rather a review process to assess unpaid obligations. The official stated that any payment would be rigorously evaluated to ensure it does not benefit Hamas.
The Board aims to recover assets believed to have been stolen by Hamas to satisfy legitimate obligations, with funding expected to come from regional partners rather than the United States.