Amanze Chinonye
Newly leaked internal Hamas security files provide unprecedented insight into how the group has systematically infiltrated, manipulated, and in some cases commandeered foreign aid operations in Gaza, turning humanitarian programs into tools that shield its fighters, protect tunnel networks, and consolidate control over the territory.
The documents, produced between 2018 and 2022 by Hamas’ Interior Security Mechanism, detail an extensive system in which international NGOs were forced to operate through Hamas-approved “guarantors.” Many of these guarantors held senior NGO positions and were identified in the files as Hamas operatives, supporters, or government employees, effectively placing foreign-funded projects under the movement’s direct oversight.
One highlighted case involved a Hamas-linked company executing an Oxfam water project in a militarily sensitive zone near Gaza’s border.
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Intelligence officers noted that the project was deliberately structured to avoid revealing “resistance activity” and to maintain tactically advantageous positions, illustrating how humanitarian infrastructure was quietly adapted around Hamas’ battlefield priorities.
The files also document aggressive censorship of NGO programs. Following the May 2021 conflict, Hamas officials ordered Oxfam to delete survey questions that might reference tunnel networks or militia activity. A UN-backed Mercy Corps cash program faced similar interference, with Hamas redacting questions it believed could expose fighters or wounded operatives and demanding personal information on field researchers for security vetting.
Civilian interactions were also monitored. A 2022 report recounted an elderly beneficiary asking NGO staff whether the collapse of his apartment floor was caused by a tunnel beneath his home. According to the Hamas files, NGO workers remained silent, demonstrating how foreign teams often avoided probing military activity in residential areas.
Hamas also maintained tight control over projects near suspected operational sites. An April 2022 assessment of an ANERA infrastructure project required all digging maps and field surveys to be approved by Hamas military intelligence. Islamic Relief US, whose parent organization was designated by Israel in 2014 over alleged Hamas ties, was cited in the documents.
Across hundreds of pages, Hamas intelligence personnel detailed surveillance of NGO offices, efforts to infiltrate staff, and attempts to exploit senior personnel for information on foreign staff, finances, and operations. Employees’ religiosity, political sympathies, and potential vulnerabilities were meticulously catalogued.
The files depict a humanitarian sector operating under an elaborate Hamas-imposed security net, with aid projects being molded, questionnaires rewritten, access restricted, and activities blocked if they risked exposing military infrastructure.
Many NGOs, according to the documents, chose compliance over confrontation, creating a foreign assistance environment that ultimately reinforced Hamas’ operational and political agenda.
Norwegian Funding Raises Concerns
The revelations come as questions arise about international funding channels. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), for example, has received at least NOK 132 million (approximately USD 12.3 million) from the Norwegian government between 2020 and 2023 for its operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
NRC acknowledges cooperation with Hamas’ Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) to implement cash assistance programs and ensures that programming is coordinated through the Gaza Protection Consortium.
NRC’s work in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza dates back to 2009 and includes programs aimed at supporting legal casework and broader Palestinian Authority initiatives. According to NGO Monitor, some of these programs exploit judicial frameworks to influence Israeli policy, raising concerns over the intersection of humanitarian aid and political objectives.
The leaked documents and associated funding reports shed light on how humanitarian programs in Gaza have been co-opted, raising pressing questions about the oversight and accountability of international aid in conflict zones.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
