Officials say reconstruction funds will undergo strict scrutiny and Hamas will neither administer Gaza nor gain access to payments
JERUSALEM: The Gaza Board of Peace has rejected claims that Hamas could receive up to $400 million in debt relief under its 15-point plan, after Israeli broadcaster KAN raised questions about wording covering payments to suppliers and contractors.
KAN reported that Article 5 contains language allowing money to reach “suppliers and contract holders” without explicitly excluding recipients allegedly connected with Hamas.
However, the Board of Peace said the provision would not cover corruption, financial mismanagement or activities linked to Hamas.
A Board source said payments would instead support eligible public employees who had not received salaries, alongside suppliers and contractors who provided services to Gaza’s population and remain owed money.
Mladenov Denies Hamas Funding Proposal
Board of Peace Director-General Nikolay Mladenov strongly disputed the report on Wednesday, saying no proposal to provide funds to Hamas had been discussed, negotiated or considered.
Furthermore, Mladenov said such an arrangement would not appear on the organisation’s future agenda.
He stressed that Hamas would have no role in Gaza’s administration and would receive no access to Board funds.
According to Mladenov, authorities will vet and approve every contract, verify completed work before releasing payments and allow donor governments to scrutinise financial accounts.
Funds Intended for Workers and Contractors
Meanwhile, Board officials maintained that the disputed provision aims to address legitimate outstanding payments owed to workers and businesses that provided services to Gaza’s civilian population.
Mladenov also said the International Stabilization Force would support disarmament and help establish a civilian administration without Hamas participation.
Consequently, he rejected suggestions that reconstruction or stabilization mechanisms could indirectly finance the group.
The controversy highlights continuing scrutiny surrounding financing arrangements for Gaza as international authorities attempt to establish mechanisms for reconstruction, governance and security.
Mladenov said the Board’s position had remained consistent from the beginning and argued that Gaza already faced sufficient challenges without additional claims concerning its financial arrangements.
