Hamas asked $500 million from Iran to fund Oct 7 attack: Israel

IANS April 7, 2025 231 views

Israel has uncovered a shocking financial document linking Hamas and Iran, revealing a $500 million funding request for the October 7 invasion. Defense Minister Israel Katz presented evidence of direct coordination between Hamas leadership and Iran's Revolutionary Guard, emphasizing Tehran's strategic support for attacking Israel. The intelligence suggests a systematic plan to "uproot" Israel through coordinated terrorist activities across multiple regions. These revelations emerge amid ongoing tensions and protests in Gaza, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics of the conflict.

"Iran is the head of the snake." - Israel Katz, Defense Minister
Tel Aviv, April 7: Israel has made public an intelligence document that, according to its officials, reveals a direct financial and operational link between Hamas and Iran, including a request for $500 million to carry out its plans to invade Israel -- an attack that was executed on October 7, 2023.

Key Points

1

Hamas sought $20M monthly from Iran's IRGC for attack

2

Intelligence document reveals direct operational connection

3

Israel claims Iran supports broader regional terror network

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz shared the document and accompanying video on social media platform X, stating, "I am presenting here for the first time a document that was found in the tunnels of senior Hamas officials in Gaza, which proves a direct relationship between Iran and Yahya Sinwar and Muhammad Deif, as part of Iran's support for the Hamas plan to destroy Israel."

The intelligence material was reportedly discovered by Israeli forces during operations in Hamas tunnels and was unveiled during Katz's visit to the IDF's "Amshat" intelligence unit, as reported by The Times of Israel.

According to Katz, the document outlines Hamas's request to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force for $20 million per month over two years.

The stated goal -- to "uproot this monstrous entity" and "end this dark period in the history of our nation."

Katz also claimed that Hossein Akbari Izadi, head of the IRGC's Palestinian department, responded by assuring Hamas of continued support despite Iran's economic hardship, affirming Tehran's strategic priority of opposing Israel and the United States.

"In the document, Hamas demands $500 million from the IRGC's Quds Force to fund Israel's destruction," Katz said, further asserting, "Iran is the head of the snake."

He added that Iran's support extends beyond Gaza to other regions, including Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria, and Yemen's Houthis, branding it a broad "axis of terror."

"Israel will do whatever it takes to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and will continue striking its terror proxies until the Iranian axis of evil is dismantled," the Defence Minister declared.

The revelations come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the United States for talks with former President Donald Trump and other officials, reportedly focusing on the war in Gaza, trade, and regional security concerns.

Meanwhile, discontent in Gaza appears to be growing.

The Times of Israel cited reports of fresh protests in Jabalia, northern Gaza, where demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Hamas are terrorists" and "Hamas are garbage."

Anti-Hamas protests have periodically resurfaced in recent weeks despite reported crackdowns by the group.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 hostages. According to Israeli figures, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with 35 of them believed to be dead.

Reader Comments

M
Michael T.
This is deeply concerning if true. The international community needs to take Iran's role in funding terrorism more seriously. Praying for peace in the region 🙏
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Sarah K.
I'd like to see independent verification of these documents before drawing conclusions. Both sides have motives to exaggerate claims in this conflict.
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James L.
$500 million could have rebuilt Gaza's infrastructure many times over. Instead it was used for destruction. What a tragic waste of resources and lives.
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Aisha R.
The protests in Jabalia show that ordinary Gazans are suffering the most from this conflict. My heart breaks for civilians caught in the middle of this. 💔
D
David P.
While I support Israel's right to defend itself, I wish the government would focus more on hostage recovery than inflammatory rhetoric. Those families deserve answers.
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Lena M.
The timing of this revelation during Netanyahu's US visit feels politically calculated. Not saying it's untrue, but we should be aware of the context.
R
Robert G.
Iran's involvement isn't surprising, but the scale of funding is shocking. The world needs to put more pressure on Tehran to stop financing terror groups.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Hamas Iran Israel October 7 Attack Israel-Gaza Conflict Benjamin Netanyahu Defense Minister Israel Katz
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