(JNi.media) Deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau, Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook, said on Monday that financial assistance from Iran to Hamas has stopped completely.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Abu Marzook said the assistance, both civilian and military, is being delayed, and the movement has a tough time dealing with it.
Abu Marzouk emphasized that at stake is substantial assistance, which has widely contributed to the activities of the Palestinian factions. According to him, relations between Hamas and Iran are not as good as they used to be, but the organization is making efforts to improve ties with Tehran.
The crisis between the two sides, he said, began at the start of the civil war in Syria, when Iran took the side of the Assad regime against the rebels.
Nevertheless, an Israeli security source speaking to Wallah estimated that the removal of Iran’s sanctions in October, as part of the nuclear deal, would thaw Iranian funds to the tune of $150 billion, and some of that wealth would be used to finance terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
Now it appears that only Hezbollah is certain to be a beneficiary of the Iranian boon. This couldn’t come at a better time for the Lebanese terror group, which is in great financial distress.
Hezbollah has lost an estimated 1,000 fighters defending Iran’s cause in Syria.
According to Walla, money will determine which side will win Hamas’ support in the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. Of course, regardless of the source, an increased money supply to Hamas will inevitably fuel another clash with Israel.
Meanwhile, Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad said on Sunday that Hamas must hand over rule of the Gaza Strip as a condition to forming a unity government, Ma’an reported.
Hamas has in turn accused the Fatah of plotting to “eradicate” Hamas from the PA, saying that an arrest campaign of more than 200 Hamas members was carried out by the PA to target reconciliation efforts between the two factions.